Starting in the early 1800s, many African natives lives were being changed by the

influence of the popular religion of Christianity from Christian missionaries sent by

European nations. Christian missionaries main focus is the preaching and spreading of
their faith in a region where the religion is lacking to convert non-Christians into
Christians. The Christians believed they were superior to all other religions, and that
cultures and societies under Christian influence were civilized. Cultures and societies
with no western contact or Christianity were seen as ungodly and uncivilized. Many
missionaries derived their propagations from the message of the Gospel of Matthew
28:19-20 Before Ascending into the heaven for an interlude, Christ admonished his
disciples to disseminate to the ends of the earth his message, the gospel of the impending
reign of God (Missionary Movements) purely believing others lost without true religion
must be taken under Christian influence. However, many conquerors used missionaries as
a solemn excuse to gain the riches of Africa. Missionaries used imperialism movements
by European authorities as a way to spread the faith. As many journeyed to Africa on the
mission to save the souls, many became overwhelmed by their greed with the
Europeans. Christian Missionaries played big roles in changing the lifestyles of Africans
along with their beliefs, Using different methods and techniques; they believed western
influence would help save Africa.
In Africa, missionaries would use their individual cultures, also political and
social systems from the countries they were from. They traveled overseas to build
schools and hospitals and they built mission settlements. The method of spreading
Christian faith was to win over the rulers and then use the authority they gained toward
the people. Eventually, they used the slave trade as a way to spread the faith in Africa.

Many of the ex-slaves became very active in the spread of Christian enterprise; this made
the missionaries very successful because they used native involvement in the spread of
religion. Because of this new method, many African clergys surfaced, as did Bishops as
well. Initially they had Africans spread the religion to the African population rather then
the Europeans. In 1845, Pope George XVI issued a decree that called for establishing
over seas seminars to train indigenous clergy in lands conquered by European Catholic
powers(Missions and Missionaries). By late 1800s, African churches and movements
were created, and were heavily led by missionary figures. Although Africa did obtain
some Christianity before, it grew more popular with the missionary movements. Groups
like the Basotho and Tswana welcomed the missionaries, but some groups like Pedi, Zulu
and the Pondo rejected the missionaries, and those against them took action, Whole
populations moved away for missionary stations suspecting Christian leanings were
administered magic and emetics (Missionary Settlement in Southern Africa). Even
though there were individuals in the northern regions of Africa that converted to
Christianity, the southern regions were not as easily persuaded. It had eventually become
less important and many natives had gone back to their old customs and beliefs.
Although many Africans were conversing back to their previous lifestyles,
missionaries were still arriving in Africa. David Livingstone, a famous Scottish
missionary, was the first to cross Africa from coast to coast, giving Europeans a better
look at Africas regions. He began in Cape Town and ended at the Zambezi River.
Because he went to study and explore Africa, he was able to prove the potential Africa
could have and how it could be a modern civilization. When he returned to his home in
England he became well known; He opened the eyes of the world to the tremendous

potential of Africa for human development, trade, and Christian missions (European
Social History). He was known as the greatest of all Christian missionaries, and he was
heavily involved in the horrors of the slave trade, and even spent his last few years
investigating on how to put an end to it. On his journeys he even inspired many people
like the Makololo, Ndebele, and Tanganyika to join his society of the Christian world.
Because of his records, journals, and explorations he made the world see Africa as more
wronged then corrupt and wicked. Many Africans were fond of Livingstone, He made
a lasting impression on the Africans he met, which was amply attested to those who
followed him. His peaceful intentions and moral courage were immediately recognized
(David Livingstone Biography).
Because of Missionaries like Livingstone, they were welcomed openly into the
clans and both gave each other respect. Like in the novel Things Fall Apart by Chinua
Achebe, The missionary Mr. Brown was well respected by the Umuofia clan for his
patience and sincerity. Many missionaries that entered Africa went for the good to serve
humanity and improve the quality of life. They involved themselves in the advancement
in local agricultural, irrigation, and technology. Besides spreading religion, they also
adapted to the environment and the teachings on expansion of wealth and prosperity.
Part of the spread of Christianity is that wherever it went, it was at least partly,
assimilated into the local culture and itself contributed to the transformation of that
culture (Missionary Movements). However, others were keen on abolishing all vile
habits and customs. Some even tried to establish decisions and reshape the environment
that was unknown to the locals. It interfered with locals lifestyles that they only knew
and because of this It undermined their most basic social and cultural tenets and were

therefore largely resisted (Missionary Settlement in Southern Africa). An event called

The Scramble for Africa, a time when many European nations were fighting over what
territory they wish to have, and gain the riches and make their countries prosperous was
the reason why many European nations were so interested in this continent and sent
missionaries over. A missionarys job was to go to a place and demonstrate religious
services but also to report their findings. Some of the missionaries had pure intentions of
wanting to help the people of the continent. However, there were others who were there
for both the reason of faith, but also greed. Because the job of a missionary had become
somewhat corrupted, it made it even harder to try and fix Africa. Once they had finally
left, they had high hopes that Africa would be able to manage on their own. But, the
missionaries and European nations left abruptly and left Africa in shambles.
Because of the Missionary Movements, African Christianitys characteristics of
both Christianity and local traditions leading to the effect of culture, social and political
systems in modern Africa. Because many missionaries had arrived from different
backgrounds and traditions of their own countries, they influenced smaller African
Christian groups beliefs and traditions all over the continent. Mistakes made by the early
ancestors reflect the way Africa had evolved. Missionaries and western influence adopted
most of the traditions, culture, values, and clothing. So in retrospect they lost a piece of
their culture and background. However, it also benefited their social, economic, and
political developments joining them with the rest of the world, helping them support
themselves. For instance living in better conditions because of the improvement of
architecture made by the missionaries, or the transfer of power to the people during
Christian preaching with the hopes of getting locals heavily involved. When the

missionaries entered Africa, it was for the solemn reason of God, but when they left it
didnt seem like it was just that anymore, because they controlled and changed every
aspect of the clans life, it became more than religion and visions were lost of what they
hope to gain out of Africa. Missionaries had done their best with the reconstruction of
what set Africa apart from the rest of the world, achieving somewhat of their
determinations to save their souls.