Africa Society of Evangelical Theology (ASET)

What a gift and a blessing it was to attend the Africa Society of Evangelical Theology (ASET) annual conference earlier this month with my colleague and friend Rev. Alphonse Andrew Laku of the South Sudan Presbyterian Evangelical Church (SSPEC). We joined eighty other members of ASET coming from all corners of Africa, also from Germany, France, the U.K., and the U.S. Excellent, thoughtful, and engaging papers were presented by African and visiting scholars and reflective practitioners on the theme “The Mission of God and God’s Church: Missiology in African Theology.” 

Haile from Mekane Yesus Seminary in Addis Ababa presents on 
"Integral Mission" (holistic ministry) amongst congregations
of the Ethiopian Evangelical Church Mekane Yesus

Participants thoughtfully listen and engage the presenters 
with theologically astute questions

We were also inspired and challenged by the keynote speech delivered by Dr. Harvey Kwiyani of the Centre for Global Witness and Human Migration (CMS, Oxford) and writer of a blog which I read weekly. Key themes regarding Africa’s unique contribution to extending the Missio Dei which rose to the surface during our time together include: being grounded in and starting with Pneuma (Spirit), humanizing and dignifying human relationships, being communal and community oriented, non-dualistic, humble as emerging from amongst those colonized, faith mission (especially in the diaspora). 

Dr. Harvey Kiwanyi, originally from Malawi but now 
living in the UK

What gift can the African Church give to the world? Community. What is the future of Christianity for the 21st century? In the next twenty-five years Africa will become a leader in terms of growth and theological thought and engagement. In sum, while challenges are pervasive and our circumstances can be heartbreaking, faith and hope as God’s people, led by God’s Spirit together in community, shaped in the Imago Dei, will enable us move forward with confidence and faith. Amen.

2024 Annual Conference of the Africa Society 
of Evangelical Theology (ASET)