MICHAEL CASSIDY, Founder African Enterprise

Michael Cassidy was born in Johannesburg.  He spent his early life in Lesotho, attending school at Michaelhouse in Natal.  From there he went to Cambridge University, and later read theology at Fuller Seminary in Pasadena.  He holds an Honorary Doctorate from Azusa Pacific University. The Anglican Church of South Africa has awarded him the Order of Simon of Cyrene, the highest award given to a layman. 

A God-inspired vision to reach Africa's leadership with the Gospel, led him to found African Enterprise, building indigenous teams across the continent to serve the Church “in word and deed”.  This meant – and still means - dynamic outreach both on a macro and a micro level, using stratified evangelism to reach every layer of society. The Ministry particularly cares for the hungry and marginalised, victims of war, HIV/Aids and social exclusion of every kind.

Michael has the gift of bringing together the polarised to find each other in God, recognizing that societies can only change when God changes people. 

This boldness of vision has been demonstrated in gatherings such as the South African Congress on Mission and Evangelism; Pan-African Leadership Assembly; South African Christian Leadership Assemblies; British Members of Parliament and the House of Lords; European Leaders' Symposium at Windsor Castle; UN 50th Anniversary Dinner with Mary Robinson at Dublin Castle; All Ireland Prayer Breakfast and Reconciliation 1997 in Coventry.

In 2000 and 2003 Michael addressed members of NATO and the European Parliament and Commission.  He sat on the 2010 Executive of the Lausanne 3 World Congress on Evangelism – and in the spring of 2012, Michael was appointed to succeed the late Dr John Stott as Honorary Chairman of the Lausanne Movement.

He has authored many books including: “Bursting the Wineskins”; “A Witness For Ever” and “Getting to the Heart of Things”.  His latest book – “The Church Jesus Prayed For” will be published in the UK in late 2012.

Michael is married to Carol and they have three children and eight grandchildren.