TEA Conference Had Wide Reach

More than 200 Christian leaders attended the recent Theological Education in Africa (TEA) conference in Kenya to discuss the advancement of theological education across Africa, which is experiencing explosive growth in Christianity.

Coming from 12 countries in eastern and southern Africa, the attendees included leaders from universities, denominations, agencies and churches. Speakers from Christian Reformed World Missions (CRWM), the Christian Reformed World Relief Committee (CRWRC), and the Timothy Leadership Training Institute (TLT) gave presentations at the conference.

"The discussions were broad and spirited," says a story in the August newsletter for TLT, which is based at Calvin Theological Seminary in Grand Rapids, Mich.

"Often the discussion turned to the need for practical training for both seminary graduates and those that would never be able to attend a university or Bible college."

The conference, among other things, used lectures, addresses and workshops to help prepare leaders in theological institutions and in churches for the challenges of the 21st Century and to update participants on current theological issues.

Workshops focused on such topics as systematic theology, biblical theology, historical theology, church education, apologetics, and missions.

Also addressed were current issues including environmental stewardship, HIV/AIDS, peace and reconciliation and community development.

The Christian Reformed Church in North America was well-represented at the conference in Kenya. Rev. Mwaya Wa Kitavi, Eastern & Southern Africa Regional Leader for CRWM, helped to coordinate and to host the conference. He also gave opening remarks. 

Gary Bekker, director of CRWM, provided the closing address and led two workshops. Rev. Esteban Lugo, director of the CRC's Office of Race Relations, spoke and taught at the conference.  Representatives of the CRWRC also spoke at the conference, as did Chuck Powell, director of the Timothy Leadership Training Institute. 

Coffee Break Ministry, a ministry of Christian Reformed Home Missions, and Back to God Ministries International, the CRCNA's electronic media ministry, were represented and provided information and training as well. In addition, many other church and educational leaders from a range of churches, universities and organizations spoke and presented workshops. Several organizations helped to sponsor the conference.