AEA Engages Ministry Partners in Cape Town

Cape Town, South Africa – 29th August 2025

The Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) Secretariat, led by the Secretary General,
recently held a consultative meeting in Cape Town, South Africa, with Mergon and FiftyFour,
two organizations committed to equipping the Church and communities for transformational
impact.

Mergon, a faith-driven resource partner, invests in initiatives that bring lasting change through
the redemptive power of God’s grace. It partners with organizations focused on advancing
both spiritual and social transformation. During the meeting, Neil Hart, Mergon’s Executive
Leader, shared the remarkable story of the foundation’s origins. Its founder, Francois van
Niekerk, made a vow during a personal and business crisis to dedicate 30% of his business to
God’s purposes if restored. With his company revived, this commitment gave birth to a unique
model where thriving businesses sustain thriving ministries, multiplying impact across Africa
and beyond.

Also present at the consultation was FiftyFour, a platform that empowers leaders and
organizations to scale their influence through free, cutting-edge tools and resources. They
showcased their innovative “9D” resource among other online materials that are freely
available to support institutions working for positive change.
The objective of the Cape Town consultation was to strengthen mutual understanding of each
organization’s role and explore areas of collaboration to advance God’s mission on the
continent.

Speaking at the meeting, the AEA Secretary General, stated that meeting was a momentous
opportunity for Africa to step into its historic responsibility in shaping global missions. He
observed that the continent’s demographics and the rapid growth of evangelical and
Pentecostal churches are quickly putting Africa at the center stage of the Christian faith and
leadership in the global Church.

He further noted that AEA, through its institutions -The Africa International University, the
Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA), the Christian Learning and
Materials Resource Centre (CLMC), and the Bangui Evangelical School of Theology (BEST) – is
well positioned not only to influence but to enhance theological and missional discourse
globally. In addition, AEA’s partnership with the Church Transformation Network and other non
formal theological programs, combined with its own non-formal theological curriculum,
provides an opportunity to ensure both the quality and contextual relevance of theological
content across Africa.

The Secretary General concluded:

“This partnership presents a golden opportunity to jointly address Africa’s challenges,
mobilize resources and advance the Gospel. Together, we can leverage our shared
mandate and complementary strengths to build the Africa that God wants by 2066.”

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About the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA)

Founded in 1966, the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA) is a continental body that
unites National Evangelical Alliances and regional church bodies across Africa. Its mission is to
equip and empower the Church in Africa for gospel witness and holistic societal transformation.
AEA serves as the regional representative of the World Evangelical Alliance (WEA).

About Mergon

Mergon is an investment group founded in 1980 by Francois van Niekerk following his
personal commitment to dedicate part of his business to God’s purposes. Today, Mergon uses
the returns from its diverse business investments to support ministries and initiatives that bring
spiritual and social transformation, with a focus on long-term impact.

About FiftyFour

FiftyFour is a global platform that provides free resources and tools to help leaders,
organizations, and movements scale their influence. With innovative frameworks like the “9D”
resource, FiftyFour empowers individuals and institutions to maximize their impact for the
common good.