The Story of the Church in South Africa

Many books have been written on the history of the church in South Africa. But the difficulty is in finding one which is unbiased in its presentation of the facts, one which represents the whole Christian community with a breath of fresh air that dispels the stench of our past partisanship. As a black South African with a strong AIC background, I have not only found Dr Roy’s book to be a captivating account of the events, but a very sensitive, refreshing and trustworthy account on what needs to be known concerning the history of the church in our Rainbow Nation.

Sipho J. Mfusi

Missionary to the Zulus and AmaZioni

Dr Kevin Roy’s history of the South African church is my go-to text every time! For over a decade now, I recommend it in every new member’s class and to every one of our pastoral interns. When I lectured at seminary, it was a required text. It’s not simply the best, it is the only option! If you want a concise, readable, well-written account, Dr Roy’s text is in a league of its own. Here you can feast on an exciting, colourful, informative, and sobering account of how Christ has built his church in southern Africa against all odds – in the face of war, persecution, heresy, division, and discouragements of every kind. Yet the gospel’s advance is unstoppable! Kevin has been a dear friend, example, and encourager to me for some  fiteen years now, and I am delighted that Langham is giving this book a new lease on life. It has been one of Africa's best-kept secrets for too long.

Rev Tim Cantrell, PhD

Pastor of Antioch Bible Church President, Shepherds’ Seminary, Johannesburg, South Africa

South Africa is a country of great diversity. The varieties of our natural terrain, local tribes and foreign involvement have all helped to form our unique and multifaceted identity. The church of Jesus Christ in this land has also been stamped with this distinctive plurality. In this book Dr Roy serves us well by telling the story of the church in South Africa in a way that captures something of this complex and diverse history. Its strength is found in the way he firmly situates the church in the political context of its day, and also in the obvious broad and non-sectarian love he has for the body of Christ. It is certainly a candid and surprisingly comprehensive book on the South African church, and one I can heartily recommend.

Paul Hartwig, PhD

Lecturer in Church History and Systematic Theology, Cape Town Baptist Seminary, South Africa

Kevin Roy has written a clear and accessible account of South Africa’s Christian history that is both well informed and judiciously balanced. Constructed around the personal stories of a number of  awed but faithful Christian witnesses, it never fails to inspire.

Rev Alan Spence, PhD

Minister, United Reformed Church, Deal, UK

Former Moderator, Uniting Presbyterian Church of South Africa