Abstract
The history of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (AFM) confirms its own
missional character. In the light of the church’s rich missional history, an attempt is made to
determine to what extent non-christians are still reached through the gospel by the AFM.
Various missional models and methods have been used over the years by the AFM. The
following has been asked in this concern: Which of these missional models and methods
being used are still successful today?
Qualitative research has been used to search within the white sector of the AFM for presentday
missional models and methods that are still effective. Congregations within the following
provinces have been included in the qualitative research: Gauteng, North West, Limpopo,
Mpumalanga, Free State and Kwazulu Natal.
The following literary study has revealed certain missional changes that have taken place in
the Western Church. While it confirmed some of the missional challenges of the AFM, it also
provides some missional guidelines to the church.
Certain missional models and methods seem to be less effective than in the past, while others
have phased out completely. Some of the missional models and methods currently used in the
church are less effective than some AFM members suggest. Although the AFM has not lost
its missional aim, the missional passion of some of its members is a growing concern. It
appears that in the early years of the AFM the church’s members had a greater missional
passion than today.
The ideal missional approach for today seems to be an effective personal relationship
approach. The Alpha course has been identified as one of these approaches from which the
AFM may gain various missional guidelines.
Prof. W.J. Hattingh