TV Evangelism and its impact on Sub Saharan Africa

Being a minister of God may not sound like the normal route to becoming rich. Certainly here in Europe one does not think of one's local Priest or Vicar as being in it for the money. However, in other parts of the world Christianity is big business! The phenonomean of the American TV Evangelist has spread across the world and is particularly influential in the developing world. Millions of people hoping for a better life are taken in by charlatans such as Benny Hinn, Kenneth Copeland, Paul Crouch and T.D. Jakes. These ruthless conmen and their associates have broadcasting deals established all over Sub Saharan Africa. TBN and other such networks are broadcast from daybreak to beyond sunset into the homes of millions of Africans. In many cases it is the only channel on air during the morning and afternoon as the national networks often don't come on air until evening. As a result the viewing figures for such programmes are substantial as is influence of these rich Americans who claim to have found blessings and riches through God (rather than through the most sickening exploitation of the world's most vulnerable people!)

The Burial Service

The first sunlight to rise above the village stirred everyone into action.Mourners from across the village began to approach Boipelo's home and those of us asleep in the cars awaoke bleary eyed. A couple of hundred people or so made their way into the yard and as the final arrangements were bing made for the burial service. To gasps Boipelo's coffin was brought from the room where she had been at rest overnight to a position just outside the entrance to her home. The elderly mourners had seats whilst the rest of us stood motionless in the background. The haunting silence was broken only by the sweet songs of the birds in the trees oblivious to goings on beneath them.

The burial service began when a few elderly gentlemen, dressed in suits that used to only see the light of day for one or two funerals a year, took up a position next to the coffin. I'm unsure which church the men were from - there are so many different churches across Southern Africa. I barely understood a word of Setswana but I had the impression that the service was on the African traditional side of Christianity. The Bible was certainly used but in the context of traditional beliefs. There are many churches across Botswana that have modified the Christianity imposed upon Africans by the white missionaries to ensure that the traditions and customs of the community are integrated into Christianity.

After some prayers a few friends and family members of Boipelo came forward to say a few words about the deceased. I rember a tearful Audrey speaking in a most touching way about her employee - but she had evidently not just lost an employee and a colleague but a beloved friend. The service at the homestead ended with body viewing. Mourners walked slowly passed Boipelo's coffin gazing upon her as she lay in peace. Some mourners were barely able to contain their grief, some women even had to be carried away to a place in the shade. Boipelo looked beautiful. Her unblemished complexion and immaculately tidy hair in place. There was even a faint smile upon her lips. As Sonny siad she looked too well to have died!