An influential and significant figure within the realms of African politics, Christian mission and authorship, Michael Cassidy founded African Enterprise in 1961, a work he led and has served for the past 60 years. Through his ministry, he has conducted Evangelistic missions across Africa, as well as overseas in Latin America, the United States, Australia, Ireland and Israel. Notably, Mr. Cassidy and African Enterprise have endeavored to serve as a unifying and bridge-building entity among African Christians through directing the largest Christian interdenominational leadership gatherings in Africa, which included the 1973 South African Congress on Mission and Evangelism, the 1976 and 1994 Pan African Christian Leadership Assemblies, the 1979 and 2003 South African Christian Leadership Assemblies, the 1985 National Initiative for Reconciliation, and the 2008 National Initiative for the Reformation of South Africa.
Through his wider work, Mr. Cassidy was afforded opportunities to address numerous political audiences, such as British and European parliamentarians, members of the House of Commons and Lords, officials of the European Commission, NATO and Diplomatic Corps in Brussels, as well as various Irish and Northern Irish leaders. On the 50th anniversary of the United Nations, he was invited to share the platform with President Mary Robertson in Dublin Castle and, later, at the United Ireland Prayer Breakfast, bringing together leaders, both Protestant and Catholic, from the Parliaments of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. In addition to these opportunities, he has also met with presidents and government ministers across Africa in countries such as Rwanda, Uganda, Ghana, Liberia, Zimbabwe, South Africa and Southern Sudan. A special opportunity came to Mr. Cassidy while leading a city-wide mission to Lusaka, Zambia, when he was invited by President Kenneth Kaunda to conduct a mini-mission to the Zambian cabinet. Furthermore, Mr. Cassidy was honored to speak in The Beehive, New Zealand’s parliament, and at a number of Australian National and State parliament Prayer Breakfasts. In the early 1990s, he was invited to address a number of Promise Keepers Rallies in the United States.
Politically engaged, Mr. Cassidy was actively involved in the behind-the-scenes facilitation of a number of reconciliation initiatives, which garnered him the 2009 Peacemaker Award from Christians for Peace in Africa, who subsequently invited him to serve as their patron. Likewise, he was named an honorary co-chairman of the global Lausanne Movement for World Evangelization in 2012.
An accomplished author, Mr. Cassidy has written many books on his experiences in ministry and politics, including his most recent memoirs, “Footprints in the African Sand.” His other titles include, “The Politics of Love,” “Chasing the Wind – Man’s Search for Life’s Answers,” “So You Want to Get Married” and “In Deep in India,” regarding Christianity in India based upon his research journey there in 2009. He has two other books pending publication, titled “Deep Waters of the Disciple” and “Great is Thy Faithfulness.” Most notably, his book “A Witness for Ever,” which tells the story of South Africa’s first Democratic and non-racial election in 1994, has been made into a landmark documentary, “The Threatened Miracle of South Africa’s Democracy,” which was released on YouTube on South Africa’s Heritage Day, September 24, 2021.
Mr. Cassidy holds a Master of Arts in Modern and Mediaeval Languages from the University of Cambridge and a Bachelor of Divinity from Fuller Theological Seminary, who named him the 2012 Distinguished Alumnus of the Year. He was also honored with an honorary doctorate in Humane Letters (HLD) from Azusa Pacific University. In 1983, he was admitted to the Order of Simon Cyrene, the highest award that can be accorded to a layman by the Anglican Church of Southern Africa. He received the St. Michael Award from Michaelhouse, his old high school, in 1997.
Mr. Cassidy has been married to Carol since 1969, and they have three children: Catherine, Deborah and Martin. They also have eight grandchildren, who are all his pride and joy. He lives in Hilton, Natal, South Africa.
Links:
Official Websites: https://africanenterprise.com or http://www.michaelcassidyandfriends.org/
“The Threatened Miracle of South Africa’s Democracy”: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QtGgrymEpTs&t=4s
Mr. Cassidy’s Story: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_YYgBjeschc&t=1991s
Mr. Cassidy – Reflection on Christian Marriage: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VpYxjyyeF-8&t=1s
“Footprints in the African Sand” Promo: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XNUD6uPhmKw&t=12s
Book Reading on Leadership Dialogue at Kolobe Lodge: https://youtu.be/xyXHeLXqheA
The Foundation of Morality and Ethics: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMgRYQE7kuo&t=57s
Contact Details: [email protected] or [email protected]
