ABSTRACT
The Church was the pioneer in the work of education in many parts of Africa. The Church aimed at making converts throughout Africa. The European missionary came to Africa with the preconceived notion that there was either no religion at all in Africa or that it was entirely of the Devil. The European backing of Christianity was a true asset. Pax Britannica and other European influences came to the Church's aid in her fight against what she considered to be unwholesome or evil in her surroundings. Hitherto, the Church has concentrated much of her resources on school education in Africa. By 1821, the first African independent Church had come into being in Sierra Leone. Christianity also enabled people to earn their livelihood in 'clean' jobs, a situation which was greatly exploited by the Church. Pastoral care and instructions in the fundamentals of Christianity are inadequate and this situation is affecting her membership adversely with reference to steadfastness and Christian practice.
