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10 October used to be celebrated as Kruger’s Day, a public holiday in South Africa, which marked the birth of this great founding father of our nation.
 
Oom Paul was born on his grandfather's farm at Bulhoek, 10 October 1825. Paul's parents were Casper Kruger and Elsie Steyn. Drought, locusts and migrating herds of buck forced them to lead a nomadic existence in the Karoo. He was hardened by nature and schooled by the Bible. He received only three months of formal education, mostly being home schooled. He read the Bible daily.

​Voortrekker
His father, Casper Kruger, joined the Trek party of Hendrik Potgieter in one of the very first of the expeditions, 1835. As a young boy of 10-years-old, Paul Kruger set out on the Great Trek under Hendrik Potgieter.
 
Battle of Vegkop
At age 11, Paul Kruger was one of the "men" who successfully defeated the previously unbeaten Matabele Impies of Mzilikazi at the Battle of Vegkop.

“You sent me the Discipleship Handbook. I have read it all and made comparison with the Islamic theology and I finally reached the conclusion that what Jesus said is right and the Bible is true. I need some more books to read. Can you please send me more.” Karachi, Pakistan
 
“Your book ‘Putting Feet to your Faith’ is very strong and effective for Nepal.” Nepal
 
“Oh behalf of the Kanyama Pastors Fellowship, I would like to say thank you so much for the donation of library books we received. The Pastors were filled with Joy. It has come at the right time and the College now has a library.” Pastor Hakobwa Kennedy, Kanyama Pastors Fellowship, Zambia
 
“I have read your article entitled Raising God-Fearing Children. I must congratulate you on this beautiful article. I must say, I receive many magazines and other Christian information from all over the world, but your magazine Christian Action is quite unique in its contents and articles.” Rui Barandas, South America
 
“ I received the book In The Killing Fields of Mozambique and read it with much interest. The thing is, I used to be on an ANC member and supporter before my conversion. I gave my life to Christ. Now these two books Putting Feet To Your Faith and In The Killing Fields Of Mozambique have made me re-think my views on politics, in our country at the moment and in other countries like Zimbabwe, Sudan and others.” Hardyman
 
“It was great to meet and fellowship with you a couple of weeks ago. I very much appreciated your presentations. Thanks for your glorious work!” Dr. Ken Gentry
 
“I also want to thank God for what is happening in Sudan. I believe it was because God used you to open up the secret to the world that the peace is now there.” Titus Shagba, Nigeria
 
“Wow! This is an excellent article and very relevant! Really straight to the point and I really enjoyed reading it. Keep up the good work.” Carol Nicholson
 
“We praise God for your faithfulness and for the privilege of working with you in His service.” Helen Williams, World Missionary Press
“Thank you very much, Peter, for your excellent article.” Jay Benson, World Missionary Press
 
“Thank you again for all you are doing… you are a blessing and we are grateful to God that we can work with you…” Cheryllyn Dudley, M.P.
 
“Thank you for bringing the message about the truth of Islam in history. I have a new vigor to fight the enemies of God both here in the US and abroad. I can see now how Islam has opened a way to share the Gospel with anyone. All I have to do is know history, not the propaganda of the enemy, and I can use the comparison of Islam to Christianity to witness to anyone. I can talk to pagan Americans who are patriotic and explain the history of Islam to them and this will naturally lead to a discussion of what Christianity has done in history. Keep up the good fight.” Tom Henry, Florida

“It was a blessing to have you at our church. I have read through your book Character Assassins. You did a masterful job.” Pastor David Hoffman, Indiana

“Thank you again for the marvelous information that you shared with us in Omaha.” Pastor Phil Kayser, Nebraska

“This is a short note to thank you and let you know how much we appreciate your e-mail articles on the important topic of Christian Reformation. We are blessed and fortunate.” Alan Manson-Bishop

“You and all those courageous souls who serve with you are an inspiration to me. I would bet that God has a legion of powerful angels and chariots of fire surrounding your entire FF mission. I am convinced that you have changed the course of a lot of history, and a lot of human lives as well.” Harry Jones, Texas
 
“We are keeping you all in our daily prayers. May our Lord strengthen you. May He give you courage to stand in the face of trouble, and may He grant all at Frontline much perseverance. Thank you so much for the great example that you set for us, the new generation of South Africa.” Estelle van Eeden, Jivannadi Mission, KwaZulu Natal
 
“I just want to let you know that we have never forgotten the visit you paid several years ago. We pray for you often and read your newsletters. I just came home from 3 years in China with a conviction to spread the Gospel in the Muslim world. Your group is, and always will be, on my heart and in my prayers as I go forward. May you continue to dive into the depths of His riches every day.” Jenny, USA
 
“Praise God! Your uncompromising stand is an inspiration…Thank You. I pray God’s abundant blessing and protection over you and your family.” Cheryllyn Dudley, M.P.
 
“As usual you are on the frontline. We will continue to pray for you, your family, and all of the Mission. We will forward your updates. You are also exposing the true nature of an enemy of all Christians. God be with you.” Ed and Diane Clements, New York
 
“It was a real encouragement to hear such bold, Biblical teaching. I was so happy to hear you speak the truth and I will be praying for your ministry and that God will use you to speak the truth to those who will accept it. ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the Gospel of peace, who bring glad tidings of good things!’ Romans 10:15” Stephanie, Wisconsin
 
“I found Peter to be a friendly, very pro-active, hands-on, God fearing and very dedicated Christian. It is Christian folk like these who make me proud to be called a fellow Christian.” Leon Naude, South Africa
 
“I thank you for your emails of encouragement! I am praying that God will give me wisdom and knowledge to be an effective missionary here in the U.S. ‘FEW THINGS ARE MORE INFECTIOUS THAN A GODLY LIFESTYLE.’ I one day hope to be physically able to work for Frontline in assisting my persecuted brothers and sisters in chains around the world. Thanks again so much for your valuable, non-renewable time!” Josh Richert, USA
 
“As an historian and as the Parliamentary Officer, I would like to say that your article is excellent. You hit the nail on the head time after time.” Dr. Alan Hobson, London
 
“Thank you for the Newsletter and material I regularly receive from Frontline Fellowship. I stand amazed at the volume and quality of the work you and your helpers are doing to expand the Kingdom of God. May the Lord bless you, your workers and your family abundantly this year.” Jack Carstens, Cape Town
 
“It is always a joy to receive any mail from you. I appreciate the heart you have for the Great Commission for our Lord Jesus Christ. My life has been transformed beyond reasonable doubt ever since I came in close contact with you and the Great Commission Course in Cape Town. Your mail boosted my spirit and God is writing a new story both in the ministry where I serve and my own personal life. Just to be honest with you, sir, we as Zambians, who have attended the GCC, we are very proud of you and your entire family and the mission of Frontline and its vision. We are grateful. May the glory and honour go to Jesus Who is giving you strength.” Pastor Isaac, Zambia
 
“I want to thank you for not being afraid to stand up for the truth. I print out and hand over to my son all that you send me. Your provocative articles on missions and the other articles on your website is refreshing. Thanks for standing up for God.” Deveney Tucker
 
“I Thank God for you and for Frontline Fellowship. Thank you for the email news. You taught me the imprecatory Psalms and I regularly pray them against the wicked. I have become an active witness, I have spoken to more than 300 persons this year in one2one encounters, and I have preached open air 17 times. I lead evangelism team every Tuesday and co-lead one on Thursday. Until we meet again, I will provide the Air Power that comes by prayer for You and yours and FF and the suffering and persecuted. I thank God for You.” Frank Lyman, Virginia
 
“Thanks for the articles by Peter. They are meaty and very interesting. I appreciate the time taken to write them.” Tom Griner, Las Vegas, Nevada
 
“Slavery, Terrorism and Islam is an excellent book. We will be using it to educate our church.” Ron Smith, Texas
 
“Thank you for the book ‘Slavery, Terrorism and Islam’ I have so long coveted. It arrived this morning and I am thrilled with it! Thank you so much. It is exactly what we need in this country immediately. Only yesterday I emailed my closest prayer partners to say that we needed to be praying at least daily for Peter – for the rest of his life – and now this! He writes so well, so readably, and his research is excellent, as is his theology. I am truly grateful.” Miss Arbuthnot, England
 
“Keep up the amazing work.” Tempe, Zimbabwe
 
“Slavery, Terrorism and Islam is the most important and well–documented book I have ever read before, and it encouraged me. Your books have bought revival to my Soul.” Bishop T.C.G Maseko, Malawi
 
“I write to thank you most sincerely for your new book–Slavery, Terrorism and Islam. I am sure that this will be a monumental work which will be helpful in understanding the woes of our people in countries where these battles are taking place such as Sudan and Nigeria. Thank you so much for this important contribution to our understanding of possibly the most complex of the conflicts that the World faces today and Christians in particular. My warm regards. Yours sincerely in Christ.” Prince Mangosuthu Buthelezi, KwaZulu
 
“I’m not sure who I’m writing to, but my beautiful dog of thirteen years just passed away peacefully and I was looking for comfort from God and thank you because I found it on your site.” Margo, Australia
 
“I am very thankful for your work. I enjoy the articles that are being sent to me by e-mail. Recently, my wife and I watched the Luther film just because of Dr. Hammond’s positive review and it really touched us.” Alex van Vuuren, Holland
 
“We have been able to clear safely the books. The Muslim postmaster has not been too hard this time. I was really excited when I opened the box and saw the wonderful resources you sent over to me. The books are really great! JUST TREMENDOUS! They are just superb! Also I am actually working with some Muslims (I have some basic knowledge of Arabic and the Hadith) and one of my best friends is in fact an Arab of direct descents from Abr Bakr and Prophet Muhammed. I am striving to bring her to Christ.” (From a country in the Muslim world)
 
“Thanks so much for being willing to speak out on many ‘controversial’ issues that Christ Himself would have spoken up on! Great work done by writing these letters. I feel that Frontline Fellowship is one of the few that is really doing the hard, life threatening work. Keep it up!” Deveney Tucker
 
“Your most recent and interesting book Slavery, Terrorism and Islam. I have just started reading it and can’t put it down.” Kent Durr, MP
 
“I want to tell you that I’m not the same since I undergone your training. My mind is renewed for mission. I’m teaching the church all the things I learned from you, since I left Cape Town I planted 3 churches. My encouragement to you and all staff of Frontline Fellowship is to endure hardships like a good soldier of Christ Jesus. Don’t become weary in doing good for in the proper time you will reap a harvest if you do not give up.” Marlon Zulu
 
“We have much appreciation for your work in Sudan’s war-torn region in the past years. Your team’s experience and boldness expressed determination for Christ and for the entire population of Southern Sudan and Nuba Mountains. I would like to congratulate you for your unending mission to serve in the Frontline. I was able to meet your team from South Africa. We are growing faster and reaching the unreached is what God is doing in our Mission.” Jacob Tiberius
 
“It has been encouraging to see so many of the students at the seminary reading Peter’s books.” Tammy Smith
 
“ I would like to thank you for the Seminar. My eyes are now opened and my understanding has expanded. It was a very fantastic time to me and I am also sharing the blessing I received with my colleagues.” Micah Namangwiya, Malawi
 
“I am being blessed and changed by In The Killing Fields of Mozambique. The story in this book is so shocking that my Spirit is stirred up for action and my dream to be involved in mission work in places where the Gospel is least preached is growing so strong each new day.” Reuben, Zambia
 
“There is no greater service than helping someone to see the light of God’s Word and no greater gift than that we will build someone’s faith up and deep in God. God will reward your effort in Jesus Name (Amen). This book is a book that every Christian should read because it reveals the truth and standard of God’s Law which many people are confused about.” Isaiah, Nigeria
 
“Putting Feet To Your Faith has enlarged my brain. I have learnt a lot from this book.” Ezekiel, Nigeria
 
“I have finished going through Biblical Principles For Africa, Renaissance or Reformation, and the Discipleship Handbook. They are thrilling, Holy Spirit inspired. The Bible has clear solutions to the menace in the world. As a leader of Global Mission Link I respect Dr. Hammond and his team, they are a model in Africa for evangelism. They are teachers of the Scriptures and we will use your books as some of our textbooks to train our evangelists, missionaries and leaders. We are also praying for Dr. Hammond for the sacrifices that he is making for Africa. God bless you richly, not forgetting your family, and staff.” Stephen Agyare

“In The Killing Fields of Mozambique is the most important and well-documented book I have ever read on Mozambique, and it encouraged me to pray and work for the Mozambique Christians and for all Missions operating in that part of the world. This book is a thrilling account of the power of the Christian Gospel.” Bishop T.C.G. Maseko, Malawi
 
“In The Killing Fields of Mozambique was challenging indeed to read through. It is important we know about the sufferings of fellow believers.” Clinton Markins, Nigeria
 
“I have really been inspired and awakened by your book Putting Feet To Your Faith.” Gregory Makungu
 
“Brethren at Frontline, you’re a blessing to me and to the entire family of God who are also reading your books.” Zambia
 
“We are a new church and greatly appreciate your writings. We are using your Biblical Worldview Manual in Sunday school.” Pastor Ron Smith, Texas
 
“Keep up the good work. I devour every newsletter and circular. Keep on doing what you are doing with power and in faith, do not stand back for anyone. Be encouraged, your ministry is of great encouragement to me.” Mr. Bester Snyman, Nkwalini
 
“I would like to take this opportunity of thanking you for your Pray for Zimbabwe Rally. One could not help but be impressed by the huge amount of research and preparation that had manifestly gone into it.” Lin Mehmel
 
“With the recent attacks on you personally and the on work of Frontline, I am reminded of a conversation I had with my neighbour Ren Kiesling who was a B-24 Liberator bomber co-pilot in the Second World War. He told me of a mission he flew from Sicily to the coast of northern Italy to bomb a port facility and deny its use to the Axis powers. Instrument navigation was not reliable, and the equipment was prone to malfunction, especially after a rough landing or the shock of an anti-aircraft shell exploding nearby. The American airmen still had to use visual methods to confirm their location, but during this one mission the entire coast was hidden by fog. When their ‘dead reckoning’ navigation equipment indicated they were approaching the target they could not see anything under the heavy cloud cover. To drop the bombs too early, they would fall harmlessly in the ocean; too late, the bombs would fall on the uninhabited mountains with no effect. The planes could not drop down too low to take a look since they would risk running into a mountaintop in the fog. It appeared that the planes would have to cancel the bomb run and turn back; a failed mission. Then suddenly, Ren saw black explosions of flak, the anti-aircraft artillery, ahead to the right, exactly where the navigation equipment said where the target should be. Oddly, Ren was relieved, knowing that he was not lost. The planes flew into the flak explosions to begin their bomb run. Ren then said something I will never forget: ‘So, when you get flak, it just means you are on target.’ My prayers are with you and Frontline during this difficult time of trial, but I am rejoicing at the same time since I know this work is bearing much fruit and is causing much fear and concern in the camp of the Enemy.” John Gill
 
“We pray that you will become even stronger and more forceful in driving back the kingdom of darkness. You and your family and staff are covered! Continue boldly in the great work to which you have been called.” Carol and Gavin Nicholson
 
“You are an inspiration to us, Dr. Hammond. We have watched your videos and enjoy your writing very much. Thank you and may the Lord surround you and your loved ones with His care.” Carl and Monica Oosterhoff
 
“I thank the Lord Jesus for men like you (and your organisation) for the work you do. For me, it is the ultimate style/most commendable way of preaching the Gospel to all nations. May our Lord protect you from the evil one and may He continue to use you in the way He does, to His glory. What I read is to me an inspiration and motivation to preach the Gospel. I am very critical and I am pleased to see your Gospel as pure as it is1 I want to encourage you to keep up the good work, have faith and endure to the end.” Gert Du Preez
 
“I must say that this email is one of most well written and balanced piece of communications I have read. I am again amazed at your ability to cut through all the emotion and diversionary details and cut directly to the meat of the matter. What a clear mind and a clear vision our Father has given you. May you use it over and over to help clear up the gross deceptions that Satan has put into the hearts and minds of men. Keep on keeping on…Keep on allowing our Father through the Holy Spirit to make you and use you just as He intends.” Steve Evers, Arizona
 
“We are very very sorry to learn of your wife’s illness, and want to assure you of our prayers for her recovery. I will be making a special appeal to my congregation for a barrage of prayer to ascend to the Throne for her. We also pray that your special campaign will be blessed of the Lord, and that it will bring forth a mighty harvest to His glory. We will remember her in our family worship at home, and so will the other members of my family in their homes. We will also remember you and your children, because loved ones suffer greatly at such times of family stress. God be with you.”        Dr. Ian and Eileen Paisley, Ulster
 
“We met back in the 80’s when I interviewed you for my book, Gold in the Furnace: South Africa on Trial. I am glad that you are still on the firing line.” Jack Smock, USA

“My 8 year old daughter asked me to tell you ‘Mama, tell Dr. Hammond not to be afraid of the Muslims. He should continue to write and expose their wickedness and we will continue to pray for his safety and that of his wife and children, God is more powerful than the Muslim Allah.’” Lahadi Demshakwa, Nigeria
 
“I just want to say I support you in what you are doing. We just need to go on with what we are doing. Our message is not welcome in the world – or at least to a large part of people, but there is no other message that will bring hope.” Dr. Bennie Mostert, Jericho Walls International Prayer Network
 
“Thanks for your news on the whole Pretoria/Muslim happening and for your very balanced responses as well. Shocking as the whole affair is, I maintain that you handled it magnificently. May God bless you and Frontline Fellowship.” Dr Steef van ‘t Slot, WEC International
 
“We wish to assure you of our continued interest and prayers for you on a regular basis. >From time to time you are the focus of our weekly ‘Missions Focus’ when you and your ministry are specially prayed for and ‘praise and prayer’ items are inserted in the bulletin for that week. Thank you for your newsletters/updates, we really appreciate these.” Rev. Arthur Volker
 
“Dr. James Kennedy sent me the pictures. I truly thank Jesus for ministers like yourself… thank you so much for caring about the things that you care about, and for being faithful to the Lord and to the call.” Betty Omron, USA
 
“I have always admired your tenacity in the faith and this present threat over you can go no further than the Blood of Jesus! Be encouraged, and rest in the knowledge that there are those ‘holding up your arms’ during the raging battle…which you fight from the place of victory! In Jesus Name.” Janet, KwaZulu Natal
 
“So shall My Word be that goes forth from My mouth; It shall not return to Me void, but it shall accomplish what I please and it shall prosper in the thing for which I sent it.”  Isaiah 55:11
 
Dr. Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P O Box 74 Newlands 7725
E-Mail: admin@frontline.org.za

The Kikuyu Connection
It would seem that the fighting is primarily tribal. The Kikuyu tribe has dominated politics in Kenya since Mau Mau leader Jomo Kenyatta became the first President in the 1963. There is tremendous resentment of the Kikuyu dominance politically, and the inevitable nepotism and corruption surrounding the ruling party/tribe.

A Stolen Election
The present outbreak of violence since the disputed election results of 27 December seems to be a result of a blatantly rigged election process. As the votes were being counted it was clear that the existing government was being voted out of office. Three days after the vote, on live television, the population saw para-military police storm the Kenyatta International Conference Centre where the votes were being counted. Minutes later the Head of the Election Commission declared the incumbent President Kibaki (a Kikuyu) the winner!

Mob Violence
Supporters of the challenger, Odinga, who previously had been reported to have a substantial lead, poured onto the streets in an explosion of violence against Kibaki’s tribe, the Kikuyu. Although the Kikuyu’s only make up 22% of the population, they dominate both the government and business.

International reports, such as the 2005 Report by the Society for International Development, a civil society monitoring group, catalogued how Kibaki had packed his cabinet, state corporations, the judiciary and provincial administrations with his tribesmen. Tribal animosities have been festering since at least 1963 when the British handed over to Kenyatta and granted the country independence.

The epi-centre of the violence in Nairobi has been Africa’s largest slum, Kibera, where over a million people live in tin shacks and clapboard houses, without plumbing, electricity, hospitals or jobs, (just a few minutes from some of the most luxurious homes imaginable.) Starting on New Years Eve, tens of thousands of Kalenjin and Luo tribesmen tore through the Kikuyu sections of Kibera. Some Kikiyu gangs struck back, but tens of thousands fled to the central highlands. Most recent report I have seen puts the death toll at 900, so far.

Tribalism and Corruption
Observers blame corruption and tribalism as the root of Kenya’s woes. Kenya ranks 8 th from the bottom of the list of the worlds most corrupt countries, as compiled by Transparency International. Kibaki’s government has followed the example of it’s predecessor Daniel Arap Moi with allegations of dirty deals running into many hundreds of millions of dollars. The former prosecutor to deal with corruption, John Githongo fled into exile in Britain in 2005 because of death threats against him. He reported that the President had no commitment to fight corruption, and that Kibaki had failed to honour promises to share power and economic opportunities, to reform the constitution and fight corruption.

The Most Corrupt Continent
He described fixing the election results as “like throwing a match into a fuel drum.” Africa is reported to be the world’s most corrupt continent with 36 out of 52 counties affected by rampant corruption. In Nigeria, the Economical Financial Crimes Commission reported that the country’s rulers from 1960-1999 stole $400 billion.

In South Africa, barely a week has gone by without new corruption scandals among the ANC business and political leaders being reported. A week after being elected leader of the ruling African National Congress, Jacob Zuma was indicted on charges of racketeering, money laundering, corruption and fraud.

Opportunism
However, as with any riots, opportunists are using the opportunity to settle old debts, and to enrich themselves with loot.

Church Burned
On New Years Day, a mob of several hundred people armed with machetes, clubs and bows and arrows surrounded a church in Kiambaa in the Northern Rift Valley. 200 men, woman and children were praying in the church. Those who willing gave up mobile phones, or money, were allowed to go, the rest were trapped in the church which was then set alight. An estimated 35 people were killed in the blaze.

Shops Looted
Hundreds of shops have been looted and destroyed, hundreds of thousands of people have fled from their homes. Much of the fighting seems to be between the Kikuyus and the rival Kalenjin, Luhya and Luo tribes.

The Poster Child of “The African Renaissance”
What has been particularly disturbing to many about the violence is that Kenya was considered the Poster Child of the “African Renaissance” and it has received literally billions of dollars in aid from the US government. Kenya is the headquarters for most mission organizations and non-governmental organizations in Africa, and it has been considered the most stable country in Africa.

Beneath the Surface
Officially over 70% of Kenya are Christians. Most of the American missionaries in Africa are based in Kenya. The wholesale corruption, tribal violence and cruel mob savagery seen in the last month in Kenya is a warning of what lies just beneath the surface of even one of the most popular tourist destinations in Africa.

A Challenge to the Churches
Evidently much of the missionary work that has been done in Africa has been superficial. Plainly Africa’s greatest need is Discipleship. From our mission’s perspective this is a challenge to do a more thorough job in Leadership Training, preaching and teaching of repentance and restitution, and laying solid foundations for a true Biblical Reformation and Spiritual Revival in Africa.
​
Dr Peter Hammond 
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 
Newlands, 7725 
Cape Town, South Africa 
Tel: (021) 689-4480 
Fax: (021) 685-5884 
Email:  admin@frontline.org.za

CONTRASTS IN CAPTIVITY
A comparison of the Islamic slave trade to the American slave trade reveals some interesting contrasts.  While two out of every three slaves shipped across the Atlantic were men, the proportions were reversed in the Islamic slave trade.  Two women for every man were enslaved by the Muslims.

While the mortality rate for slaves being transported across the Atlantic was as high as 10%, the percentage of slaves dying in transit in the Trans Sahara and East African slave trade was between 80 and 90%!

While almost all the slaves shipped across the Atlantic were for agricultural work, most of the slaves destined for the Muslim Middle East were for sexual exploitation as concubines, in harems, and for military service. 

While many children were born to slaves in the Americas, and millions of their descendants are citizens in Brazil and the USA to this day, very few descendants of the slaves that ended up in the Middle East survive. 

While most slaves who went to the Americas could marry and have families, most of the male slaves destined for the Middle East were castrated, and most of the children born to the women were killed at birth.

It is estimated that possibly as many as 11 million Africans were transported across the Atlantic (95% of which went to South and Central America, mainly to Portuguese, Spanish and French possessions.  Only 5% of the slaves went to the United States). 

However, at least 28 million Africans were enslaved in the Muslim Middle East.  As at least 80% of those captured by Muslim slave traders were calculated to have died before reaching the slave markets, it is believed that the death toll from the 14 centuries of Muslim slave raids into Africa could have been over 112 million.  When added to the number of those sold in the slave markets, the total number of African victims of the Trans Saharan and East African slave trade could be significantly higher than 140 million people. 

THE ABSENCE OF ARABIC ABOLITIONISTS
While Christian Reformers spearheaded the anti-slavery abolitionist movements in Europe and North America, and Great Britain mobilised her Navy, throughout most of the 19thCentury, to intercept slave ships and set the captives free, there was no comparable opposition to slavery within the Muslim world. 

Even after Britain outlawed the slave trade in 1807 and Europe abolished the slave trade in 1815, Muslim slave traders enslaved a further 2 million Africans.  This despite vigorous British Naval activity and military intervention to limit the Islamic slave trade.  By some calculations the number of victims of the 14 centuries of Islamic slave trade could exceed 180 million.

Nearly 100 years after President Abraham Lincoln issued the Emancipation Proclamation in America, and 130 years after all slaves within the British Empire were set free by parliamentary decree, Saudi Arabia and Yemen, in 1962, and Mauritania in 1980, begrudgingly removed legalised slavery from their statute books.  And this only after international pressure was brought to bear.  Today numerous international organisations document that slavery still continues in some Muslim countries.

THE PAGAN ORIGINS OF SLAVERY
Slavery long predated Christianity and many of the early Christians were slaves in the Roman Empire.  Without exception, the pre-Christian world accepted slavery as normal and desirable.  The Greek philosopher Aristotle claimed:  "From the hour of their birth, some are marked out for subjection, others for rule." The great civilisations of Mesopotamia, Babylon, Egypt, Greece, Rome, and all the civilisations in Central America and Africa were built upon slave labour. 

People became slaves by being an insolvent debtor, or sold into slavery by their parents, or by being born to slave parents, or by being captured in war, or through kidnapping by slave raiders and pirates.  Slave dealing was an accepted way of life, fully established in all societies.  Most of these slaves were white people, or Europeans.  In fact the very word "slave", comes from the people of Eastern Europe, the Slavs. 

St. Patrick, the English missionary to the Irish, was once  a slave himself, kidnapped from his home and taken to Ireland against his will. Patrick spoke out strongly against slavery.  He wrote:  "But it is the women kept in slavery who suffer the most."

The Greeks, from whom we derive so many modern, humanistic ideas, were utterly dependent on slavery.  Even Plato's Republic was firmly based on slave labour.  Plato said that 50 or more slaves represented the possessions of a wealthy man. 

Under Roman law, when a slave owner was found murdered, all his slaves were to be executed.  In one case, when a certain Pedanius Secundas was murdered, all 400 of his slaves were put to death. 

Before the coming of Christ, the heathen nations despised manual work and confined it to slaves.  When Christ was born, half of the population of the Roman Empire were slaves.  Three quarters of the population of Athens were slaves.

Slavery was indigenous to African and Arab countries before it made its way to Europe. Slavery was widely practiced by the tribes of the American Indians long before Columbus set foot on the shores of the New World.  Ethiopia had slavery until 1942, Saudi Arabia until 1962, Peru until 1968, India until 1976 and Mauritania until 1980.  What is also seldom remembered is that many black Americans in the 19thCentury owned slaves.  For example, according to the United States census of 1830, in just the one town of Charleston, South Carolina, 407 black Americans owned slaves themselves.

THE CHRISTIAN ROOTS OF LIBERTY
But Jesus revolutionised labour.  By taking up the axe, the saw, the hammer and the plane, our Lord endued labour with a new dignity.  Christianity undercut slavery by giving dignity to work.  By reforming work, Christianity transformed the entire social order. 

Our Lord Jesus Christ began His ministry in Nazareth with these words:  "The Spirit of the Lord is on Me.to proclaim freedom for the prisoners.and release to the oppressed."  Luke 4:18

When the apostle Paul wrote to Philemon, concerning his escaped slave, he urged him to welcome back Onesimus "no longer as a slave, but.as a dear brother.as a man and as a brother in the Lord."  Philemon 16.

Because of these and other Scriptural commands to love our neighbour, to be a good Samaritan and to do for others what you would want them to do for you, Christians like William Wilberforce, John Newton, William Carey, David Livingstone, Lord Shaftsbury and General Charles Gordon worked tirelessly to end the slave trade, stop child labour, and set the captives free.

From the very beginning of the Christian Church, Christians freed slaves.  During the 2nd and 3rdCenturies many tens of thousands of slaves were freed by people who converted to Christ.  St. Melania was said to have emancipated 8000 slaves, St. Ovidius freed 5000, Chromatius freed 1400, Hermes 1200.  Many of the Christian clergy at Hippo under St. Augustine "freed their slaves as an act of piety." In AD315, the Emperor Constantine, just two years after he issued the edict of Milan, legalising Christianity, imposed the death penalty on those who stole children to bring them up as slaves.

The Emperor Justinian abolished all laws that prevented the freeing of slaves.  St. Augustine (354 - 430) saw slavery as the product of sin and as contrary to God's Divine plan (The City of God).  St. Chrysostom in the 4th Century, taught that when Christ came He annulled slavery.  He proclaimed "in Christ Jesus there is no slave.therefore it is not necessary to have a slave.buy them, and after you have taught them some skill by which they can maintain themselves, set them free."

For centuries, throughout the Middle Ages, bishops and church councils recommended the redemption of captive slaves, and for five centuries the Trinitarian monks redeemed Christian slaves from Moorish (Muslim) servitude.

In 1102AD, the London Church Council outlawed slavery and the slave trade.  By the 12th Century slaves in Europe were rare, and by the 14th Century slavery was almost unknown on the continent of Europe.

THE ISLAMIC SLAVE TRADE
However, with the birth of Islam came a rebirth of the slave trade.  As Ronald Segal in "Islam's Black Slaves" documents:  "When Islam conquered the Persian Sassanid Empire and much of the Byzantine Empire, including Syria and Egypt, in the 7th Century, it acquired immense quantities of gold.stripping churches and monasteries.either directly or by taxes, payable in gold, imposed on the clergy and looting gold from.tombs.the state encouraged the search and sanctioned the seizure, in return for a fifth of the finds.

" Segal notes:  "Female slaves were required in considerable numbers for.musicians, singers and dancers.many more were bought for domestic workers.and many were in demand as concubines.  The harems of rulers could be enormous.  The harem of Abdal Rahman III (912 - 961) in Cordoba contained over 6000 concubines!  And the one in the Fatimid Palace in Cairo had twice as many."

Islam's Black Slaves also reveals that the castration of male slaves was common place.  "The Calipha in Baghdad at the beginning of the 10th Century had 7000 black eunuchs and 4000 white eunuchs in his palace." It was noted that there were widespread "homosexual relations" as well.  Islam's Black Slaves notes that Islamic teachers throughout the centuries consistently defended slavery:  "For there must be masters and slaves." Others noted that blacks "lack self-control and steadiness of mind and they are overcome by fickleness, foolishness and ignorance.  Such are the blacks who live in the extremity of the land of Ethiopia, the Nubians, Zanj and the like."

Ibn Khaldun (1332 - 1406) the pre-eminent Islamic medieval historian and social thinker wrote:  "The Negro nations are as a rule submissive to slavery.because they have attributes that are quite similar to dumb animals."

By the Middle Ages, the Arab word "abd" was in general use to denote a black slave while the word"mamluk" referred to a white slave.  Even as late as the 19th Century, it was noted that in Mecca "there are few families.that do not keep slaves.they all keep mistresses in common with their lawful wives."

It was noted that black slaves were castrated "based on the assumption that the blacks had an ungovernable sexual appetite."

When the Fatimids came to power they slaughtered all the tens of thousands of black military slaves and raised an entirely new slave army.  Some of these slaves were conscripted into the army at age ten.  From Persia to Egypt to Morocco, slave armies from 30000 to up to 250000 became common-place. 

Even Ronald Segal, who is most sympathetic to Islam and clearly prejudiced against Christianity, admits that well over 30 million black Africans would have died at the hands of Muslim slave traders or ended up in Islamic slavery. 

The Islamic slave trade took place across the Sahara Desert, from the coast of the Red Sea, and from East Africa across the Indian Ocean.  The Trans Sahara trade was conducted along six major slave routes.  Just in the 19th Century, for which we have more accurate records, 1.2 million slaves were brought across the Sahara into the Middle East, 450000 down the Red Sea and 442000 from East African coastal ports.  That is a total of 2 million black slaves - just in the 1800's.  At least 8 million more were calculated to have died before reaching the Muslim slave markets.

Islam's Black Slaves records:  "In the 1570's, a Frenchman visiting Egypt found many thousands of blacks on sale in Cairo on market days.  In 1665 Father Antonios Gonzalis, a Spanish/Belgian traveller, reported 800 - 1000 slaves on sale in the Cairo market on a single day.  In 1796, a British traveller reported a caravan of 5000 slaves departing from Darfur.  In 1838, it was estimated that 10000 to 12000 slaves were arriving in Cairo each year." Just in the Arabic plantations off the East Coast of Africa, on the islands of Zanzibar and Pemba, there were 769000 black slaves.

In the 19th Century, the East African black slave trade included 347 000 slaves shipped to Arabia, Persia and India;  95 000 slaves were shipped to the Arab plantations in the Mascareme Islands.

Segal notes "The high death rate and low birth rate among black slaves in the Middle East and the astonishingly low birth rate amongst black slave women" in North Africa and the Middle East.  "Islamic civilisation.lagged increasingly behind the West in protecting public health.  The arithmetic of the Islamic black slave trade must also not ignore the lives of those men, women and children taken or lost during the procurement, storage and transport.the sale of a single captive for slavery might represent a loss of ten in the population  from defenders killed in attacks on villages, the deaths of women and children from related famine and the loss of children, the old and the sick, unable to keep up with their captors or killed along the way in hostile encounters, or dying of sheer misery."

One British explorer encountered over 100 human skeletons from a slave caravan en route for Tripoli.

The explorer, Heinrich Barth, recorded that a slave caravan lost 40 slaves in the course of a single night at Benghazi.

The British explorer, Richard Lander, came across a group of 30 slaves in West Africa, all of them stricken with smallpox, all bound neck to neck with twisted strips of bullock hide. 

One caravan with 3000 proceeding from the coast in East Africa, lost two thirds of its number from starvation, disease and murder.

In the Nubian desert, one slave caravan of 2000 slaves literally vanished as every slave died.

AN EYEWITNESS ACCOUNT
In 1818, Captain Lyon of the Royal Navy reported that the Al-Mukani in Tripoli "waged war on all its defenceless neighbours and annually carried off 4000 to 5000 slaves.a piteous spectacle!  These poor oppressed beings were, many of them, so exhausted as to be scarcely able to walk, their legs and feet were much swelled, and by their enormous size formed a striking contrast with their emaciated bodies.  They were all borne down with loads of firewood, and even poor little children, worn to skeletons by fatigue and hardships, were obliged to bear their burden, while many of their inhuman masters with dreadful whip suspended from their waist.all the traders speak of slaves as farmers do of cattle.the defenceless state of the Negro kingdoms to the southward are temptations too strong to be resisted, a force is therefore annually sent.to pillage these defenceless people, to carry them off as slaves, burn their towns, kill the aged and infants, destroy their crops and inflict on them every possible misery.all slavery is for an unlimited time.none of their owners ever moved without their whips - which were in constant use.drinking too much water, bringing too little wood or falling asleep before the cooking was finished, were considered nearly capital crimes, and it was in vain for these poor creatures to plead the excuse of being tired.  Nothing could withhold the application of the whip.  No slaves dared to be ill or unable to walk, but when the poor sufferer dies, the master suspects that there must have been something 'wrong inside' and regrets not having liberally applied their usual remedy of burning the belly with a red-hot iron.

Records for Morocco in 1876 show that market prices for slaves varied from £10 ($48) to £30 ($140).  Female slaves comprised the vast majority of sales with "attractive virgins"fetching between £40 to £80 ($192 - $386).  It was reported that "a considerable majority of the slaves crossing the Sahara were destined to become concubines in North Africa, the Middle East and occasionally even further afield."

CHRISTIAN SLAVES - MUSLIM MASTERS
Segal also observed that:  "White slaves from Christian Spain, Central and Eastern Europe" were also shipped into the Middle East and served in the "palaces of rulers and the establishments of the rich." He records that:  "All slavic eunuchs.are castrated in that region and the operation is performed by Jewish merchants."

Historian Robert Davis in his book "Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters - White Slavery In the Mediterranean, the Barbary Coast and Italy", estimates that North African Muslim pirates abducted and enslaved more than 1 million Europeans between 1530 and 1780.  These white Christians were seized in a series of raids which depopulated coastal towns from Sicily to Cornwall.  Thousands of white Christians in coastal areas were seized every year to work as galley slaves, labourers and concubines for Muslim slave masters in what is today Morocco, Tunisia, Algeria and Libya.  Villages and towns on the coast of Italy, Spain, Portugal and France were the hardest hit, but the Muslim slave raiders also seized people as far afield as Britain, Ireland and Iceland.  They even captured 130 American seamen from ships they boarded in the Atlantic between 1785 and 1793. 

According to one report, 7000 English people were abducted between 1622 to 1644, many of them ship crews and passengers.  But the Corsairs also landed on unguarded beaches, often at night, to snatch the unwary.  Almost all the inhabitants of the village of Baltimore, in Ireland, were captured in 1631, and there were other raids in Devon and Cornwall.  Many of these white, Christian slaves were put to work in quarries, building sites and galleys and endured malnutrition, disease and mistreatment at the hands of their Muslim slave masters.  Many of them were used for public works such as building harbours.
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Female captives were sexually abused in palace harems and others were held as hostages and bargained for ransom.  "The most unlucky ended up stuck and forgotten out in the desert, in some sleepy town such as Suez, or in Turkish Sultanate galleys, where some slaves rowed for decades without ever setting foot on shore." Professor Davis estimates that up to 1,25 million Europeans were enslaved by Muslim slave raiders between 1500 to 1800. 

THE EUROPEAN SLAVE TRADE
While Islam dominated the slave trade from the 7th to the 15th Century, between 1519 and 1815 Europe also joined in this trade in human flesh.  And it was those European nations which had suffered the most at the hands of Muslim slave raiders, and under centuries of Muslim military occupation, Spain and Portugal, who dominated the European slave trade.

It was the enemies of the Reformation who brought Europe into this disgraceful trade.  Emperor Charles V (whom Martin Luther defied with his historic "My conscience is captive to the Word of God.here I stand I can do no other." speech) of the Holy Roman Empire who first authorised Europe's involvement in the slave trade in 1519.  Because of Pope Alexander VI's Line of Demarcation Bill of 1493 which barred Spain from Africa, Spain issued Asientos (a monopoly) to other nations to supply slaves for her South American colonies.  First Portugal had this lucrative franchise, then the Dutch, then the French.  Finally, by the treaty of Utrecht 1713, the Asientos was transferred from France to Britain.  Britain's involvement in slavery was first authorised in 1631 by King Charles I (who was later executed by Parliament).  His son, Charles II, reintroduced it by Royal  Charter in 1672.

According to "The Slave Trade" by Hugh Thomas, approximately 4 million (35.4%) went to Portuguese controlled Brazil; 2,5 million (22.1%) to the Spanish nations of South and Central America; 2 million (17.7%) to the British West Indies (mostly Jamaica); 1,6 million (14.1%) to French West Indies; half a million (4.4%) to Dutch West Indies and half a million (4.4%) to North America.

THE AMERICAN SLAVE TRADE
It is extraordinary that, considering that less than 5% of all the Trans Atlantic slaves ended up in North America, the vast majority of films, books and articles concerning the slave trade concentrate only on the American involvement in the slave trade, as though slavery was a uniquely American aberration.  However, the vastly greater involvement of Portugal, Spain and France seem to be largely ignored.  Even more so the far greater and longer running Islamic slave trade into the Middle East has been so ignored as to make it one of history's best-kept secrets.We tend to focus on what happened in North America because the United States would eventually fight a war, in part over slavery, and because of the enormous and vocal American opposition to slavery.  This was in sharp contrast to the indifference that Muslims, Africans and many Europeans evidenced towards it.

THE AFRICAN SLAVE TRADE
The legends of European slave raiders venturing into the jungles of Africa to capture free peoples are generally just that:  myths. 

The embarrassing fact of history, is that the Europeans did not have to use any force to obtain these slaves.  The slaves were"sold" by their black owners.  There was no need for the slave raiders to risk their lives or venture into the jungles of Africa, they simply purchased the people from African chiefs and Muslim slave traders at the coast. 

However, while the slave trade and slavery itself was always criticised vigorously in Britain and America, no comparable criticism was evident in the Muslim Middle East or amongst the African tribes which sold their own people, and neighbouring tribes, into slavery.  Almost all of the African slaves transported across the Atlantic were captured and sold by African rulers and merchants. 

Many chiefs found it more profitable to sell their enemies, criminals and debtors than to kill or imprison them.  Many were weaker neighbouring tribes conquered for the express purpose of selling their people into slavery.  The disgraceful fact is that there were three equally guilty partners in the crime of the Trans Atlantic slave trade:  pagan African chiefs, Muslim Arabs and Christian Europeans.

The Trade, as it became known, involved a triangular voyage.  Slave ships sailed from Bristol or Liverpool loaded with cloths, beads, muskets, iron bars and brandy.  This merchandise was then traded in West Africa in exchange for slaves.  Mostly African chiefs sold their own people, or engaged in wars and slave raids against neighbouring tribes to capture victims for this trade.  Often professional Arab slave traders provided the victims. 

The middle passage transported the slaves to the West Indies.  Here the slaves were sold and the ships loaded with spices, rum, molasses and sugar.  The third leg of the journey was the return to England.  The average Englishman on the street was kept in the dark as to what was actually happening on the middle passage, until, in 1785, Thomas Clarkson's landmark study "Slavery and Commerce In the Human Species" was first published at Cambridge.  According to Clarkson's research, 10% of the slaves would normally die during the middle passage.  Strong men would fetch as much as £40 while the women and children were sold in cheap batches with the sick and weak men.  In England 18 000 people were employed simply on making the goods to trade for slaves in Africa.  This trade constituted 4.4% of British exports. 

WILBERFORCE'S WAR
On Sunday 28 October 1787, William Wilberforce wrote in his diary:  "God Almighty has set before me two great objects, the suppression of the slave trade and the Reformation of society." For the rest of his life, William Wilberforce dedicated his life as a Member of Parliament to opposing the slave trade and working for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. 

On 22 February 1807, twenty years after he first began his crusade, and in the middle of Britain's war with France, Wilberforce and his team's labours were rewarded with victory.  By an overwhelming 283 votes for to 16 against, the motion to abolish the slave trade was carried in the House of Commons.  The parliamentarians leapt to their feet with great cheers and gave Wilberforce the greatest ovation ever seen in British history.  William bent forward in his seat, his head in his hands, tears of gratitude streaming down his face. 

In 1809, the British government mobilised its Navy to search suspected slave ships, even foreign vessels on the high seas.  In 1810, the British Parliament declared slave trading a felony, punishable by fourteen years hard labour.  In 1814, the British representative at the Congress of Vienna insisted on the abolition of the slave trade being included in the International Treaty.  This Treaty was signed by all the European powers on 9 June 1815.  In 1825, Britain passed a bill making slave trading punishable by death. 

Finally, just three days before William Wilberforce died, by an Act of Parliament in 1833, the British abolished slavery itself - setting all 700 000 slaves in British overseas territories free.  Wilberforce's lifetime campaign of 59 years was now fully successful.  "Thank God that I've lived to witness the day in which England is willing to give 20 million pounds sterling for the abolition of slavery!" he exclaimed.  Within three days he died rejoicing.  (For the story of how slavery was abolished see the chapter on William Wilberforce - Missionary to Parliament in The Greatest Century of Missions).

The "History of European Morals" suggests that "the unweary, unostentatious and inglorious crusade of England against slavery may probably be regarded as among the three or four perfectly virtuous pages comprised in the history of nations."

The abolition of slavery was one of the great turning points in history.  And the long and vigorous crusade by the British Navy throughout the 19th Century against the slave trade ranks as one of the most extraordinary and unselfish applications of national policy ever seen in the history of nations.

".where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom."     2 Cor 3:17

SET FREE TO SERVE CHRIST
One of the many fruits of William Wilberforce's life long crusade against the slave trade was that Samuel Ajayi Crowther, who was born in 1807 (the year Great Britain abolished the slave trade) in Yorubaland (modern Western Nigeria) was rescued by a British naval squadron.  When Samuel was just thirteen years old, he was captured by Muslim slave traders for transport across the Atlantic, but rescued by the Navy.  Samuel received an education in Sierra Leone, where he was converted to Christ, and after further education in England he was ordained as a minister of the Church of England for service with the Church Missionary Society. Samuel participated in the expedition up the Niger River Valley to overcome the ravages of the slave industry still entrenched there.  Of the 145 Europeans on that expedition, 130 were struck down with Malaria, and 40 died.  Yet the expedition succeeded in establishing a Missionary Center at Fourah Bay for training liberated slaves to evangelise West Africa.  It was built on the very place where a slave market had once stood.  The rafters of the roof were made almost entirely from the masts of old slave ships. 

Samuel Crowther was one of the first four students to graduate from Fourah Bay's College, Sub-Saharan Africa's first university.  In 1864, Samuel Crowther was ordained as the first African Bishop of the Church of England in an overflowing Canterbury cathedral.  Today there are eighteen times more Anglicans worshipping in church every Sunday in Nigeria than there are in Great Britain.

LIVINGSTONE'S TRAVELS
However, as the British Navy was defeating the slave trade in the Atlantic, the East African slave trade was increasing.  It was missionary explorer David Livingstone whose graphic descriptions brought the ravages of the East African slave trade to light.  His Missionary Travels and Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambezi exposed the horrors of the slave trade:  "Two of the women had been shot the day before for attempting to untie their thongs.  One woman had her infants brains knocked out because she could not carry her load and it; and a man was dispatched with an axe because he had broken down with fatigue.those taken out of the country are but a very small section of the sufferers.  We never realised the atrocious nature of the traffic until we saw it at the fountain head.  'There truly Satan has his seat.'  Besides those actually captured thousands are killed and die of their wounds and famine, driven from their villages by the internecine war waged for slaves with their own clansmen and neighbours, slain by the lust of gain, which is stimulated, be it remembered always, by the slave purchases of Cuba and elsewhere."

A TRADE IN HUMAN MISERY
The British and Foreign Anti-Slavery Society reported that most slaves were captured in the Lake Niassa area (Malawi and Mozambique), the Bahr El Ghazal region and in areas of Ethiopia.  Slaves were taken to East African markets like Zanzibar, Kilwa and Quelimane and then shipped to Turkey, India, Saudi Arabia, Yemen, Oman, Iraq, Iran and to the islands of Pemba, Reunion and Madagascar. The Anti-Slavery Reporter estimated the Muslim slave trade as exporting 63000 slaves per year.  Some estimates went as high as 500000 slaves exported in a single year. One researcher, Ralph Austen calculated that between 1830 and 1861 imports of slaves to the Persian Gulf averaged 3700 to 3100 per annum.  This same researcher noted that about 8855 slaves a year were retained as slaves on the East African coast as slaves of African slave masters.

Few authors dared describe the horrors involved in the Trans- Sahara slave trade:  kidnapping and castrating young boys to be sold as eunuchs ("the living dead") in the homes of wealthy Arab landlords and force marching young women across endless miles of scorching sand in the Sahara desert to become slave concubines, most dying in transit.  The Muslim slave trade typically dealt in the sale of castrated male slaves:  eunuchs.  Eunuchs were created by completely amputating the scrotum and penis of eight to twelve year old African boys.  Hundreds of thousands of young boys bled to death during this gory procedure.  The survival rate from this process ranged from 1 in 10 to 1 in 30.  These castrated boys brought the highest price at the slave market.

SHARIA LAW AND SLAVERY
Islam's Black Slaves notes:  "the Quran stipulated that female slaves might lawfully be enjoyed by their masters." Mohammad himself owned many slaves, some of whom he captured in wars of conquest and some he purchased.  The names of forty slaves owned by Mohammad are recorded by Muslim chroniclers.  Islamic law (Sharia) contains elaborate regulations for slavery.  A slave had no right to be heard in court (testimony was forbidden by slaves), slaves had no right to property, could marry only with the permission of the owner, and were considered to be chattel, that is the movable property, of the slave owner.  Muslim slave owners were specifically entitled by Sharia law to sexually exploit their slaves,  including hiring them out as prostitutes.

One reason why very little has been written about the Arab involvement in slavery is that traditional Islamic culture still condones slavery.  The Sharia, the codified Islamic law which is based upon the teachings and example of Mohammad, contains explicit regulations for slavery.  One of the primary principles of Islam is following the example of Mohammad.  Whatever Mohammad did, we must do, what he forbade, we must forbid, what he did not forbid, we may not forbid. As Mohammad himself traded in slaves and owned slaves, accumulating multiple wives, even marrying a six year old, and having concubines - slavery and the sexual exploitation of women is deeply ingrained in Islamic tradition.  Muslim nations had engaged in the slave trade for over 600 years before Europe became involved in the Trans-Atlantic slave trade. 

SLAVERY TODAYAlmost 200 years after the British outlawed the slave trade in 1807, slave raids and the sale of slaves in Muslim markets continues in countries like Sudan.  The slave trade remained legal in Saudi Arabia until 1962, when under international pressure it was finally abolished.  However, there are persistent, credible reports, that slavery persists in Saudi Arabia, and even that slaves from Sudan are ending up in Saudi Arabia.

Recently, a former slave from the Nuba Mountains of Sudan, Mende Nazer, had her autobiography:  "Slave:  My True Story"published.  Mende was captured in 1992, she was first a slave to a rich Arab family in Khartoum, and then in 2002 to a Sudanese diplomat in London, from whom she escaped and sought political asylum.

THE LAW OF LIBERTY
Although the Old Testament provided for slavery for criminals and insolvent debtors, kidnapping and enslaving law-abiding people incurred the death penalty.  "Anyone who kidnaps another and either sells him or still has him when he is caught must be put to death."  Exodus 21:16 

The New Testament expressly forbids both the slave trade and slavery itself.  ".the Law is made not for the righteous but for Law breakers.for those who kill their fathers or mothers, for murderers, for adulterers and perverts, for slave traders and liars and perjurers." 1 Timothy 1:9-10

"There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free.for you are all one in Christ Jesus." Galatians 3:28

"From one man He made every nation of men." Acts 17:26

"Love the Lord your God with all your heart, with all your soul and with all your mind and with all your strength.love your neighbour as yourself." Mark 12:30-31

"Then you will know the truth and the truth will set you free." John 8:32

".where the Spirit of the Lord is, there is freedom." 2 Cor. 3:17

".proclaim liberty throughout the land." Leviticus 25:10

Dr. Peter Hammond is the author of Faith Under Fire In Sudan and The Greatest Century of Missions.


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BIBLIOGRAPHY
A History of Christianity, by Kenneth Scott Latourette, Harper, 1953

Christian Slaves, Muslim Masters:  White Slavery in the Mediterranean; the Barbary Coast and Italy 1500 - 1800, by Robert Davis, Palgrave MacMillan, 2004

God's Politician, by Garth Lean, Helmers and Howard, 1987

History of Slavery, by Suzanne Everett, Chartwell, 1997

Islam's Black Slaves, by Ronald Segal, Farrar, New York, 2001

Missionary Travels and Researches in South Africa, by David Livingstone, London, 1857

Narrative of an Expedition to the Zambezi, by David Livingstone, London,1865

The Greatest Century of Missions, by Peter Hammond, CLB, 2002

The Slave Trade, by Hugh Thomas, 1997

Under the Influence - How Christianity Transformed Civilization, by Alvin Schmit, Zondervan, 2001

Aside from wars and revolutions there is one thing Africa has never lacked: paper constitutions. It is ironic that Britain - which has never had a written constitution - produced more than 500 for its colonial territories between 1920 and 1975. Most of these constitutions lasted only a few years, some a few months. Some never were applied at all. None of these constitutions survived to 1980.

When African nations received independence most thought that they were going to receive justice. And wealth. All they got, however, was the right to vote for politicians - and normally only once at that.

Africa has only 6 free-enterprise leaning multi-party democracies. There are however 48 one-party states or dictatorships. Why has democracy so catastrophically failed in Africa?

In the absence of the necessary economic freedom, cultural conditions and Christian foundations, one man - one vote inevitably leads to corruption, socialist confiscation, oppression, bloodshed and tyranny.

Freedom requires a Christian consensus, a culture of free debate, independent civic activity, universal literacy, a free press, a free market economy, an independent judiciary and a tradition of tolerating dissent.

The root cause of the social, economic and political crisis in Africa is the spiritual crisis. As Patrick Henry declared:
“Bad men cannot make good citizens. It is impossible that a nation of infidels or idolaters should be a nation of free men. It is when a people forget God that tyrants forge their chains. A vitiated state of morals, a corrupted public conscience are incompatible with freedom.” Peace and prosperity do not grow out of paganism.

The great Russian novelist, Aleksandr Solzhenitsyn, sounded the warning most eloquently when he stated: “The strength or weakness of a society depends more on the level of its spiritual life than on its level of industrialisation. Neither a market economy nor even general abundance constitutes the crowning achievement of human life. If a nation’s spiritual energies have been exhausted, it will not be saved from collapse by the most perfect government structure or by any industrial development. A tree with a rotten core cannot stand.”

The foundations for a free society are laid in characters, minds and lives changed by the Grace of God. In order to be successful, a society needs to be made up of honest citizens who will not steal, diligent people who are hard working and productive, compassionate families who are concerned for their neighbours, and responsible workers who will fulfil their obligations and be faithful stewards of public resources. For nations to be strong their families need to be strong. For governments to be good the churches need to be faithful.

Along with the wars, famines and epidemic diseases, Africa is now also facing other threats. Drugs and previously illegal pornography are flooding into many parts of Africa and there are renewed pressures to legalise abortion. If one only focused on the seemingly endless tide of tragic and traumatic reports one would be tempted to despair. Yet there is another side to the situation.

Africa is a continent in conflict. The forces of Islam, communism and witchcraft are engaged in a life and death struggle against the church of Christ. At stake is the soul of a continent. And the Church of Christ is growing in numbers and influence. At the beginning of the century there were 10 million Christians in Africa (including the 3 million Orthodox believers in Ethiopia) out of a total population of 108 million people. By 1994 this had grown to 290 million out of a total population of 650 million. Every year the church in Africa increases with a net gain of over 6 million new members.

Admittedly these statistics can be misleading because much of the impressive church growth in Africa represents numbers only. Nominalism and syncretism is prevalent. In many churches, most of the members are still bound by witchcraft. The peer pressure, family intimidation and social compulsion have persuaded most church members to quietly give in and mix pagan fetishes, ancestor worship, and occultic practises with Christianity. This presents a clear challenge for Bible teaching and the preaching of an uncompromising message of repentance.

It is for this reason that Frontline Fellowship is dedicated to working for Biblical reformation and praying for spiritual revival in Africa. Each year Frontline Fellowship missionaries conduct 70 - 80 leadership training courses such as the Discipleship Training Course, Reformation and Revival Seminar and the Bibilcal Worldview Seminar.

Through literature and leadership training courses, Frontline Fellowship is reaching and teaching literally thousands of pastors, elders and evangelists every year. We believe that Africa is ripe for revival and reformation. No other continent offers so many challenges and opportunities as Africa.

“Make disciples of all nations.., teaching them to obey everjthing I have commanded you.” Matthew 28:19-20

Frontline Fellowship 
P O Box 74 
Newlands 7725 
Cape Town 
South Africa 
admin@frontline.org.za

Frontline Fellowship USA 
P.O. Box 728 
Manitou Springs 
CO 80829 
Tel: 719-685-2899 
Fax: 719-685-9330 
Web: www.frontlinefellowship.net
Email:  info@frontlinefellowship.net

Most of the pastors of rural areas where we work have no tertiary education at all. Numerous provincial hospitals are paralyzed for the lack of a single doctor. Not that the community has not produced doctors, but most of them have moved to the city, or emigrated overseas. 

Sudanese Christians in America
During a recent ministry trip to the USA, I spoke to a Sudanese Christian Fellowship in Omaha, Nebraska. Many of this congregation had come from Sudan many years ago to study. There were numerous doctors, teachers, technicians and engineers amongst them. They informed me that there were over 30,000 Sudanese just in the city of Omaha. I presented an inspiring slide presentation on what God is doing in Sudan and challenged the Sudanese Christians to seriously consider returning home to help rebuild Sudan on Biblical principles. I reminded them why they had come to America and undertaken their studies in the first place and how much they were needed back in Sudan.  

The Land of Cush
We discussed the prophesies in Isaiah 18 and Zephaniah 3. There was a vigorous discussion, many tears and numerous Sudanese men and women stood up to reinforce what I had said and to acknowledge that God had spoken to them concerning their responsibility to take their skills and training back to the land of their birth. There was a very strong sense of the Lord’s presence in this extraordinary meeting.  

Potential Missionaries to Mobilise
There are literally hundreds of thousands, actually millions, of African Christians in Europe and America. Many of them left for leadership training, intending to return to their countries of origin. However, one of the ongoing problems is that most of those who leave rural areas for urban training Institutions, tend to stay in the urban areas and be lost to the rural communities who sent them for further training. Similarly, most of those who go to First World nations for further training tend not to return to their Third World countries of origin. In this way the Church is haemorrhaging in Africa. Some of our most promising leadership candidates are failing to return to their communities. The rapid urbanization and mass movement to First World countries is devastating to local congregations. 

Strategic Resources to Fulfil the Great Commission in Africa
We believe that the time has come for churches throughout Europe and North America to mobilize these qualified Christians to go back as missionaries to their own countries. They already know the language(s) and culture, they have skills and training that are desperately needed back in their own country, and now with their new contacts, friends and congregations behind them in North America and Europe, they would be able to return with greater support, prayer backing and practical help. Such congregations with African Christians will be uniquely equipped to invest in the fulfilment of the Great Commission in Africa. The potential impact of mobilizing these African Christians as missionaries back to their own areas would be tremendous. 

William Carey Bible Institute
On another level, our William Carey Bible Institute is attempting to provide Leadership Training programmes for ministry candidates within Africa. WCBI offers a thoroughly Reformed, Evangelistic, Biblical and practical distance learning programme, which provides pastors, teachers and evangelists with excellent textbooks, lecture manuals, lectures on audio CDs and a programme of requiring book reports, assignments and exams. Supplementing the Correspondence Programme are short-term Leadership Training programmes in remote rural areas and our Libraries for Pastors Programme. 

We are providing data CD-ROMs with notes and PowerPoints, MP3s and textbooks for Discipleship, Biblical Worldview, Great Commission, Missions History, Church History, Reformation and Revival, Muslim Evangelism, Ministering to the Persecuted, God and Government, Christian Action, Biblical Law, Apologetics, Children’s Ministry, Conflict Resolution, Eschatology, Leadership and Evangelism courses of WCBI. 

This week we begin our Biblical Worldview Summit (27 June – 4 July) in Cape Town. The theme is Reclaiming Africa for Christ. Delegates from as far afield as Nigeria, Uganda, Kenya and Zimbabwe have registered. Please pray for all the participants of this BWS and for the three-week Great Commission Course which continues after it. 

“Declare His glory among the nations. His wonders among all peoples. For the Lord is great and greatly to be praised. He is to be feared above all…” 1 Chronicles 16:24-25 
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Dr Peter Hammond
Frontline Fellowship
P.O. Box 74 Newlands 7725
Cape Town South Africa
Tel: (021) 689-4480
Fax: (021) 685-5884
Email: admin@frontline.org.za