The community development issues as missional challenges for Christian mission in Central African Republic

Abstract

The community development issue faced by the Christian mission in Central African Republic was the topic of this work. Due to multiple insecurity and political instability causes, it has created many negatives effects, especially on the poor population and Christian Churches. Ideally, the Christian mission through the Ngoubagara Baptist Church when faced with Central African Republic tragic and successive socio-politic wars should have been to promote community development, peace, social justice, education for all, good health, national reconciliation, respect for human rights and to denounce all harm and discrimination against the human being. The church has a sacred mission to announce the gospel to all humanity and to assist the people towards the positive transformation of Central African Republic. This study will be of help to missiological scholars and to the church so that it may better carry out its prophetic and holistic missions according to God’s vision and with the purpose to change the Central African society. In fact, Christian church as well as Ngoubagara Baptist Church can be the voice of millions of voiceless people regarding poverty, joblessness, rebel wars and rethink community development issues. Through its missionary work, can be the main factor in transforming Central African Republic society, because, the church should “face the difficulties of the present time, not with ready-made answers or simplistic, over-simplifying ideologies, but with a realistic attitude and with discernment. This is the church’s duty of scrutinizing the signs of the times and of interpreting them in the light of the Gospel” (Czerny 2012:70). The church mission is supposed to be a continuation of Jesus Christ’s ministry, which is total salvation. However, human being development is a church work matter, in touching body, soul and spirit. The Ngoubagara Baptist Church’s prophetic and holistic mission duty should be the life and dignity of the Central African people. Then, missiology can promote community development where Christians can play an important leadership role. The lack of such leadership affects individuals and communities negatively. The church should be present in the world and guide the people.