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African Independent (Spiritual) Churches (AICs)

Known variously as African Independent Churches, African Spiritual Churches or African Initiated Churches, all terms refer to a phenomenon which is to be found all across black Africa. During the era of colonial domination and wide spread efforts of Christian mission, they began to spring up like mushrooms after a warm spring rain. Scholars have advanced a variety of views attempting to explain the dynamics which have given rise to these groups such as camouflaged resistance to an intrusive and disruptive colonial presence; efforts to Africanize the Christian faith and message brought by western missionaries; efforts to salvage some sense of self worth and dignity amidst the daily struggle to survive as menial laborers in an economy dominated by and tilted toward a minority white population.

While there is broad variety among these groups as to dress, regulations, scheduled activity and degree of appropriation of beliefs and practices of orthodox Christianity, there are some broad basic characteristics they all share. They all take their stance squarely within the African cultural world view which accepts demonic power and the practitioners of the occult as a fact of daily life. They all view life as a daily spiritual power encounter with the invisible forces of evil. They all draw liberally from the old Testament traditions and practices. They all have exuberant styles of worship which engage everyone present in song, clapping, dancing and prayer. Many of the groups feature healing services as a regular part of church life.

With a long history of strained relations both with government authorities and mission established churches, they forged their own patterns of church life without the benefit of formal Biblical training. Arriving in Botswana in 1975, AIMM missionaries decided to forego the usual pattern of planting yet another denominational identity and to rather place themselves at the disposition of the AICs. Once trust was established among them, doors of opportunity began to swing open on every side. The focus of AIMM missionaries has been one of Bible teaching, affirmation and facilitation.

AIMM currently has a ministry in southern Africa among AICs in Botswana, Lesotho and the Transkei region of South Africa. Accurate AIC membership figures are difficult to come by but global membership in sub-Saharan Africa numbers in the millions.

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