1. What does A.C.P.N stand for?

African Church Planting Network, Inc.

 

2. What does A.C.P.N do?

Sends out apostolic teams consisting of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers and other supportive gift ministries to strengthen and encourage the body of Christ and leaders in the local church throughout Africa and the world.

 

3. What is meant by the term “apostolic or church planter”?

Apostolic is derived from the Greek word apostolos, which means a sent out one with an emphasis on commissioning. Therefore, apostolic has the connotation that all authority and responsibility is from the sender. The New Testament uses the word apostolos in a variety of ways.

 

First, Jesus is called the Apostle of our confession in (Heb. 3:1) and He is the One sent from God the Father (John 20:21).

 

Second, there were men who followed Jesus during His earthly ministry who Jesus called apostles. These men were referred to as The Twelve and have a special place in the Kingdom of God. (Matt 10:2; Acts 1:21-26; Rev. 21:14).

 

Third, There are many other references to the ministry of apostles in the New Testament. Outlined in Ephesians 4:11-13, I Corinthians 12:28 they are given for the edification of the church until Christ returns. There are certainly other individuals besides the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb referred to in scripture as apostles of the churches for example, Paul, Silas, Timothy, Barnabas, James, Apollos, Epaphroditus, and certain unnamed brothren (I Thessalonians 1:1, 2:6; I Corinthians 4:6,9; Acts 14:14; Galatians 1:19; Phil 2:25; II Corinthians 8:23). Different from the Twelve Apostles of the Lamb these apostles of the churches had a primary role of establishing new and strengthening existing churches. It is noteworthy that the Latin cognate of the word apostle is missionarius from which we derive our word missionary. The church has historically recognized the need for this vital ministry, no matter what it has been called, different from that of pastor, teacher, or even evangelist. We prefer to use the word biblical Greek word apostle, instead of missionary or church planter, because it connotatively links more clearly our ministry endeavors with that of the first century church.

 

4. What is an apostolic or church planting team?

An apostolic team is not merely a group of apostles working together, in fact “the apostolic team” may or may not have apostles on it. An apostolic team is a team of like-minded men and women (usually consisting of apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors, teachers, and other gifts including intercessors, musicians, helps, administrations, etc.) who are sent out from a local body or group of local bodies (i.e. network) to strengthen and equip a local church or region. The authority of the apostolic team stems from the “sender” and has delegated authority to act on behalf of the sender.

 

5. Who is in charge of A.C.P.N.?

A.C.P.N was founded and is overseen by Eva Natongo, Founding Pastor of African Church Planting. A.C.P.N. has a group of men who serve as the apostolic team and oversee all aspects of the Network. The apostolic team is assisted by other leaders from various A.C.P.N. related churches and ministries.

 

6. Is A.C.P.N accountable to any leaders?
Yes. A.C.P.N. leaders participate regularly in gatherings of other apostolic and prophetic men and women from all over the Cameroon and abroad. We have many strong relationships with pastors and church leaders who can freely speak into our lives and ministry as we co-labor together in the world. Perhaps most important is that each A.C.P.N leader is an active and vital member of a local church and is responsible to local elders and pastors!

 

7. What are distingishing characteristics of A.C.P.N.?

• Desire to follow the new testament model of sending out church planters or apostolic missions teams from the local church and not necessarily solely para-church ministries (Acts 13:1-4).

• Seeks unity with every Christian as much as possible and does not promote sectarian or denominational boundaries within the church.

• Is strongly committed to raising up leaders from within the local church who are interdependent upon each other and other churches, rather than maintaining authority from an organizational headquarters.

• Has an interdependent view of the local church rather than as autonomous or independent. We recognize we all have need for our fellow brothers and sisters and that we are all living stones being built together as a holy temple, not individual churches in competition trying to occupy the same space!