Former General Secretary of the International Fellowship of Evangelical Students (IFES) Daniel Bourdanné has been celebrated as a ‘visionary leader, a faithful servant and a friend’ to many that interacted with him.
IFES published a glowing tribute to Bourdanné, a humble leader who gave 23 years to the student organisation, first as the IFES Regional Secretary for Francophone Africa for 11 years and then 12 years as its general secretary, exiting in 2019. Bourdanné died aged 64 on September 6, 2024 from cancer.
Tim Adams, the current IFES General Secretary who worked with Bourdanné for 10 years, remembered him as a self-effacing man who resisted titles. “He was never motivated by money or position. He chose to adopt the posture of a mentor, an older brother who wanted to be alongside to help me thrive in my work. To me, as to many of you, he was first a role model, a friend, and an ‘Oncle’.”
Klaingar Ngarial, current IFES Regional Secretary for Francophone Africa, said: “Those of us who have been Daniel’s fellow-workers consider ourselves more as his disciples than his peers – this is how much the foresight and character of his leadership has impacted us!”
Echoing IFES staff, SIL International executive director, Michel Kenmogne, told Christian Daily that Bourdanné walked in the footsteps of Jesus Christ by humbly working with everyone and by allowing all to experience God’s love and care in practical ways.
“Daniel lived and died as an authentic witness of the Gospel. In a day and age where the lack of consistency between the faith and life among God’s people has become the main hindrance to the impact of the Gospel, Daniel’s life stands as a model of integrity. In all of his academic, ministry or otherwise engagements, his faith transpired through a constant quest for excellence, harmony and beauty which all reflect the triune God in whom he put his trust from childhood,” said Kenmogne.
Bourdanné’s first interaction with student ministry was in the late 70s when he participated in a Bible study in his home country, Chad, when he was 14 years. He was drawn by the group’s devotion to worship, God’s Word and evangelism. Through the experience, he said he fell in love with student ministry. A deadly civil war forced him to relocate to Togo where he pursued a Master's degree in natural science at the Université of Lomé then later moved to Côte d’Ivoire where he earned his doctorate in animal ecology specializing in millipedes.
His life engagements and interactions majorly found expression at the intersection of student ministry, academia and wholesome development of Christians. As a result of his contribution to theology and public witness, Bourdanné was awarded the Abraham Kuyper Prize for Excellence in Reformed Theology and Public Life at Calvin College (Michigan, USA) in 2018. “Daniel’s focus on the development and ministry to and for the whole person, individually and in society, is an inspiration to integral and responsible Christian public work,” noted Michael Le Roy, president of Calvin College.
It was during Bourdanné’s tenure as the IFES general secretary through the 2010s that he helped to craft the Living Stones vision that prioritized prayer, scripture engagement and community as the organization's core commitments.
“This gave impetus to the Breaking New Ground project, launched in 2018 with the goal of supporting 100 new planting initiatives by 2020. Thanks to this project, over 600 new groups have since been established across the world,” read IFES tribute to Bourdanné.
Bourdanné also left a legacy of Christian publishing by establishing and expanding the publication of quality books under Presses Bibliques Africaines (PBA). He authored influential books, including titles on leadership, marriage and the dangers of prosperity theology in the African Church.
Former IFES Regional Secretary for Francophone Africa, Augustin Ahoga, notes that Bourdanné dreamed of a Christianity that challenged old paradigms, especially in Africa. “He dreamed of a Christianity that would free humanity from injustice and exploitation so that it would become a witness to what God wanted the world to be when he created it, a world imbued with love. He always wanted to see that begin with his own continent and viewed the IFES ministry in Francophone Africa as a prophetic voice,” said Ahoga.
Beyond IFES, his perspective and wisdom were appreciated on the boards of other Christian organizations in Africa, as an International Deputy Director of the Lausanne Committee for World Evangelization, and on the International Board for the Lausanne Movement.
“As we grieve this great loss to a loving family and the global church, we do so with the hope that his legacy will raise up many more who embody the gospel. And we hold fast to the promise that the “earthly tent” with which he embodied the gospel will one day be raised in glory,” concluded the IFES tribute.
