Migration is a structural reality of contemporary society, which according to some records now involves around 200 million individuals - and with over a million migrants each year and 299,000 asylum applications in 2006 alone, Europe is the primary destination for migrants worldwide. One of the first of its kind, The African Christian Presence in the West examines the transnational dynamics of African Christianity, compiled with the explicit hope that it will stimulate comparative analyses and create new research networks.

Thomas C. Oden surveys the decisive role of African Christians and theologians in shaping the doctrines and practices of the church of the first five centuries, and makes an impassioned plea for the rediscovery of that heritage. Christians throughout the world will benefit from this reclaiming of an important heritage.

"Clio is the ancient Muse of History. When dressed in a scared garb, the muse perrforms for religious people and, in this case, for church historians. The essays address the cutting edge of contemporary African church historiography and the process of appropriation f the gospel in the encounter with Christianity. The essays contend that culture contacts, as in the missionary movement, involve configurations of power. Thus, culture, conversion, and civilizing mission are power concepts, that dominated the relationship between white missionaries and Black Christians even after decolonialization. The African context, shaped by diverse cultures, ecosystems, worldviews, amd poverty explain the changing faces of Christianity."--Publisher, Cover, p. 4.