Dr. Michael Cassidy This is Me

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1. 1. Evangelizing the cities of Afric

   www.aepartners.org/AErationale - [Cached]

   Published on: 7/2/2008   Last Visited: 7/2/2008

   South African Alan Paton, author of "Cry the Beloved Country," deeply challenged African Enterprise founder, Michael Cassidy, in 1955 by highlighting the depth of racism and prejudice in the South African socio-political system.A statement of Paton's particularly affected him: "when the Whites turn to loving, the Blacks will have turned to hating!"Paton was calling on White South Africans to love before it was too late.Having grown up in Southern Africa, Michael was familiar with many of the complex issues related to this truth, and deeply wrestled over how such love could happen.
   
   The following year, his first year at University, he found the answer in his conversion.Here he realized that, "It was [only] Jesus who could enable people to love each other.¼ no political solutions could come unless out of the matrix of spiritual awakenings and renewal.But people have to be won to Christ - in their hundreds and thousands.That meant - evangelism."A few months later a Billy Graham Crusade showed him the method - team evangelism in cities.His heart and calling was for Africa and by 1962 he had founded African Enterprise.From then through to today the core of Michael Cassidy's ministry has been to see individuals, communities, cities and even nations in Africa positively changed through the love of Jesus.
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   Yet in all this, Michael Cassidy is confident that God is greater than Africa's problems.For thirty-eight years he has lead African Enterprise in ministry across the entire African continent.Today there are African Enterprise teams, comprised of African nationals, based in ten African countries.Cassidy believes that the main cause of Africa's problems is lack of godly leadership.By this he means leadership that fears God more than man, follows the Spirit of God above any other voice, is Biblically based and is willing to serve others before serving self.In other words he believes Africa needs leaders of faith that live out their lives prophetically - moving ahead to do something when God calls them, even if the circumstances are going absolutely against them.
   
   This is the leadership style Michael Cassidy has modeled and like the Apostle Paul (Phil 3:17), has boldly and courageously challenged Africa's leaders to emulate.This leadership philosophy has not only been reflected in his own ministry but also in the whole of African Enterprise.African Enterprise and Michael Cassidy believe that this kind of leadership of love in all sectors of society can bring about the godly reformation of African nations.
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   Alternatively, as Cassidy writes, the "church can be active in a supposedly spiritual or socio-political arena, but so lack the style and fruit of Christian grace and spirituality that it becomes a travesty of the gospel and a source of utter confusion to a watching world."
   
   It is not surprising therefore that Michael Cassidy's love for the entire church of Christ and all the nations of Africa has integrated reconciliation deeply into the fabric of all he does.It is this that caused John Perkins to say: "The ministry of reconciliation has been Michael Cassidy's life.
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   Indeed Cassidy has come to realize that conflict resolution; reconciliation, peace, and justice are key elements to the success of African Enterprise's citywide missions.African Enterprise has been assisting community, church and political leadership conflicts and disputes all over Africa.A significant product of these reconciliation and peace making efforts was the miracle of the first multi-racial South African elections in April 1994.Many top leaders from around the world have recognized the role African Enterprise played in this process.
   
   In an effort to bring greater love and unity within the South African church, Michael Cassidy had called several major gatherings of church leaders over many years.The SA Congress on Mission and Evangelism in 1973 was the first multi-ethnic gathering of church leaders in South Africa and this then spawned many other critical and significant conferences . Furthermore, Cassidy and African Enterprise's city-wide missions philosophy of working with the entire church within a city has frequently necessitated reconciliation between local churches and denominations.The effects of this have been miraculous as previously estranged Christians work together again, often for the first time, to minister His love to thousands in their communities.Cassidy remains active in this regard and in February 1999 served on the board of the National Consultation of Churches in South Africa.
   
   Like the Lord Shaftbury's and Wilberforce's of previous generations, Cassidy also believes in the need for love to impact the world of national politics.He agrees with Edgar Brookes, a noted South African theologian who once said, "Love is a political virtue ...The world languishes because love is being tried so little.It is imperative that it should be admitted into the field of political thought."In fact Cassidy has written books and articles extensively on the politics of love and much of African Enterprise's critical contributions to the first peaceful democratic elections in South Africa in 1994 was their hosting of numerous behind the scenes "Dialogue weekends" for opposing and even openly hostile political parties.Cassidy has repeatedly called the South African Church and society to move toward greater national justice, believing justice is love reaching people through political and legal structures.Toward this end he has met with, challenged and ministered to numerous leaders from all racial groups and walks of society.His latest initiative was African Enterprise's convening of the second South African Christian Leadership Assembly (SACLA II) in 2003, where 4,000 Christian leaders gathered in Pretoria.
   
   Cassidy's prophetic ministry has not been limited to South Africa.His ministry within South Africa has been modeled by African Enterprise across the African continent and their collective accomplishments will always be a witness and challenge to leaders throughout the world to follow the way of Jesus' love.The overcoming power of His love is what Cassidy passionately believes is the only answer to the challenges of Africa.Over the years Cassidy has repeatedly called on African Church leaders to exercise His love in their respective communities and nations.Amongst these many initiatives he has called the African Church to greater reconciliation, unity and purpose by convening the Pan African Christian Leadership Assembly in 1976 and again in 1994.Even outside Africa the Lord has provided opportunities for him to speak his message of Christ's love.In Europe he has addressed a group of British members of Parliament and Members of the House of Lords in 1992, spoken to a Consultation of European leaders at Windsor Castle in England in 1993, and spoken to Northern and Southern Irish leaders in Ireland in 1995.Similarly, in North America he has spoken at the World Shapers '96 Conference in Canada, spoken at Promise Keepers in 1996 and 1997, and Reconciliation '98 in Coventry, UK.He also was on the board of reference and played a prominent role in the Pretoria GCOWE (Global Consultation on World Evangelism) conference in 1997.He was on the AD 2000 and Beyond International Coalition and is an International Advisor for the Worldwide Leadership Council.He also is a Co-Patron of the Africa Transformations Movement who co-ordinate the Global Day of Prayer.On June 14, 2006 over 400 million gathered for prayer in more 198 nations.
   
   Stephen Lungu will be taking over from Michael Cassidy as AE's CEO in August 2006.

2. 2. www.aepartners.org

   www.aepartners.org/diary/AE%20 - [Cached]

   Published on: 2/28/2006   Last Visited: 4/7/2007

   MC = Michael Cassidy - AE Founder [Based in South Africa]
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   IPB Executive: Edward Muhima, Steve Lungu, Michael Cassidy, Esme Bowers, Songe Chibambo, Emmanuel Kopwe, David Richardson, Antoine Rutayisire, Jean Wilson, Mike Woodall, + invited others

3. 3. Who we are - Viva Network's Governance: Trustees, Stakeholders, Council of Reference

   www.viva.org/?page_id=86 - [Cached]

   Published on: 6/24/2008   Last Visited: 6/24/2008

   Michael Cassidy, Director, African Enterprise