Lausanne World Pulse – International Publishing – Satisfying Africa’s Hunger for the Written Word

By Lawrence Darmani
May 2011  

The Dictionary of African Christian Biography is an electronic database with biographies of African Christian leaders, evangelists, and lay workers chiefly responsible for laying the foundations and advancing the growth of Christian communities in Africa. An international team of scholars and church leaders—primarily Africans—is facilitating the project. Contributors are drawn from academic, church, and mission communities in Africa and elsewhere.

Since work began in 1997, more than 1,912 stories have been compiled. Entries are available not only in English, but also Swahili, French, and Portuguese. The Overseas Ministries Study Center of New Haven, Connecticut, USA, provides administrative and technical support.

Capturing the Insider’s View
An email from Lillian Tindyebwa, co-founder of the Uganda Faith Writers Association (UFWA) and MAI training partner, sums up the need for uniquely African stories:

It is urgent that our stories are captured and written to give the insider’s view of our modern faith versus the one of our fathers, to try and create a heritage for the future generations. People who have written about Africa often talk about our mellow heart, the joy and laughter in our bright smiles, and sometimes about our pain. What is not captured, however, is our faith—how we live our lives in the light of God’s guidance and grace.

There are profound stories of the ordinary person’s endearing faith, which compels them to smile even when they are not sure about the next meal. It is those stories about how we overcome such adversity that UFWA is interested in capturing and prayerfully endeavors to empower its members to write.

Lawrence Darmani is the CEO of Step Publishers and Media Associate International’s Africa regional trainer. Although he combines publishing and editing in his day-to-day activities, he sees his calling and passion in Christian writing. He has authored over fiction and nonfiction books. He lives in Accra with his wife, Comfort, and two daughters.