The idea of a permanent co-operating body of Christian Churches in Africa dates back to the first All Africa Church Conference arranged at Ibadan, Nigeria, in 1958, by the International Missionary Council. This brought together some 200 representatives of church bodies from 25 African countries, the majority being African church leaders rather than missionaries. It was the most representative gathering of African Christians that had ever met together. Here for the first time the Church in Africa found its voice.