Unless a Grain of Wheat

For six decades, North American Mennonites have walked alongside African Independent Churches (AICs) as they have navigated their faith journey between the ancient traditions of the ancestors and the newer claims of Christ upon their lives. The story of these relationships is a fascinating pilgrimage in partnership, offering hope for a mutuality that slips the knots of colonialism and testifies to the unifying power of the Holy Spirit.

Beginning with a historical overview by missiologist Wilbert R. Shenk, this volume contains the reflections of over fifty AIC and Mennonite colleagues concerning the significance and impact of this long-standing partnership. Their stories illustrate the disparate threads of a sixty-year experiment in shared endeavor, while offering insight into the history of the church and missions in Africa. This book is a powerful account of mutual learning, forgiveness, and growth. It is an excellent resource for lovers of story, students of post-colonialism and indigenous Christianity, and all those concerned with building relationships across cultural and racial divides.

THOMAS A. ODURO is an associate professor of Christian History, Systematic Theology, and African Christianity at Good News Theological Seminary, Accra, Ghana. He has a PhD in Christian History from Luther Seminary, St. Paul, Minnesota, USA, and has served in church ministry and leadership for over thirty years, currently in a pastoral role with Christ Holy Church International.

JONATHAN P. LARSON is a Mennonite minister, writer, and teacher whose adult life has been spent in ministry in the USA and Central and Southern Africa. His many roles included programme director for Mennonite Central Committee in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and he worked as a leadership trainer with African indigenous churches for over a decade.

JAMES R. KRABILL served with the Mennonite Board of Missions and Mennonite Mission Network for over forty years, first as a missionary in Europe and Africa, then as director for West Africa, vice president of mission advocacy and communication, and senior executive for global ministries. He has a PhD in Ethnomusicology from the Centre for West African Studies, University of Birmingham, UK, and has written extensively on missions, music, arts, and worship.