February, 2002

Dear Friends,

Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire! That is where we spent some of the month of January. Here I am, pictured next to Soro Soungalo, President of CEFCA, the local Christian radio school, and Harold Kallemeyn, Director of Excelsis, and Professor of Practical Theology in Aix-en-Provence.

Two reasons brought us to West Africa. The first, to do research on a book about ethics, to be jointly written by me and Peter Lillback, Vice-President of our Huguenot Fellowship. It is hard for us Westerners to imagine the contradiction between the extraordinary church growth in this great continent, and the horrific poverty, disease and moral corruption. One book will hardly solve all the problems, but we have been asked by the Africans to give them some guidelines, as almost literally nothing comparable exists
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The other reason was to participate in Excelsis’ remarkable work of leadership training. By stressing biblical preaching, Christian education, transparent stewardship, and pastoral care, the program helps ministers and other leaders to become far more grounded in a reflective theology than is usually the case. The Huguenot Fellowship endorses the work in French-speaking Africa. We have a longstanding commitment to theological education in places like Bangui. We believe that few causes are more urgent than helping the African church to be established in solid biblical principles.

Very Truly Yours,

William Edgar, President