Who Were Some Christian Missionaries in Africa?

Many believe that one of the first Christian missionaries in Africa was the Ethiopian eunuch of Acts 8:26–40. After he was baptized, the eunuch returned to Queen Candace’s Ethiopian kingdom and shared the Gospel message with her. He passed on what Philip had shared with him. Since then, many other people have worked to bring God’s love to Africa.


Dr. David Livingstone

One of the best-known of these missionaries is Dr. David Livingstone. He focused on finding a path to and through the interior of Africa, opening the way for legitimate commerce, which helped undercut the slave trade.[1] This also allowed other missionaries to follow in the villages he visited along the way.[2] In addition to three great missionary journeys, Dr. Livingstone wrote books and traveled around England, speaking about Africa and the need for missions there.[3] His stories raised awareness and influenced many after him to reach the continent with the Gospel.


Mary Slessor

Mary Slessor answered that challenge and continued missions work in Africa after Livingstone died. She lived and worked in places no European had been before. She stayed with the Okoyong and Efik people for 15 years, learning their languages, resolving disputes and fighting to end superstitious practices like twin killing. “Mighty Mary” earned their respect and love, so she could spread the Gospel to places no other missionary could have.[4]


Lott Carey

Another missionary to Africa was Lott Carey, the first African American missionary there. Years earlier, he was so moved by the story of Nicodemus that he went to night school to learn how to read it for himself. There, he also studied the Bible and felt a pull toward missions.

Before he left for West Africa, Carey said, “It may be that I shall behold you no more on this side of the grave, but I feel bound to labor for my brothers.” He went on to establish a church and several schools in Monrovia, Liberia.[5]


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