Adventist University of Africa hosts sixth biannual Research Conference

The conference sought to find ways to raise the African perspective to the Adventist church.

September 25, 2026

Kenya

Theological Seminary, Adventist University of Africa | Lacey Stecker, ANN

The keynote speaker was Dr. Robert Osei-Bonsu, general vice president of the General Conference.

The sixth biannual Research Conference held at the Adventist University of Africa (AUA), themed "Seventh-day Adventism in Africa: Historical, Theological, and Missional Perspectives," asked participants what Africa can contribute to the future of global Adventist mission.

The conference was held September 9–12 and featured 50 presenters who met with scholars and other participants on the AUA campus and online. For four days, scholars, theologians, historians, pastors, and church leaders from around the world explored the growing significance of the Adventist Church on a global scale.

The keynote presentation delivered by Dr. Robert Osei-Bonsu, vice president of the General Conference, was titled "From a Mission Field to a Mission Force: Reimagining Seventh-day Adventism in Africa for the Mission of God."

The conference aimed to provide an academic and ecclesial forum to examine the history, theological development, cultural encounters, and missionary experience of Adventism on the African continent. Additionally, the conference aimed to create a space for participants to consider how African experiences, scholarship, theological reflection, and missionary practices can contribute to the continuing development of Adventism globally.

Participants attentively listen to a presentation during Adventist University of Africa’s 6th biannual Research Conference. Photo: Adventist University of Africa

The Research Conference was hosted by the Theological Seminary of AUA under the leadership of Dr. Melak Tsegaw, acting dean of the Theological Seminary at AUA. Dr. Tsegaw's scholarly and missional vision is for Africa to contribute meaningfully to the advancement of the gospel, both within the continent and beyond. The seminary program at AUA helped create a forum for examining African Adventism as part of the broader theological and missional story of the worldwide church.

Participants felt that the conference successfully brought together scholars, pastors, church leaders, and mission practitioners to advance research networks, encourage intellectual collaboration, and raise African perspectives within global Adventist scholarship.

Participants also said the conference reinforced the capacity of African scholars and practitioners to document, critically examine, and communicate missionary experiences arising from African contexts. They said these contributions provided valuable resources for understanding evangelism, discipleship, theological education, leadership, interfaith engagement, and community mission in an increasingly diverse world.

Additionally, participants said the gathering demonstrated Africa not only as a mission field but as an emerging mission force within the Adventist network. Through scholarship, dialogue, collaboration, and contextual theological reflection, African Adventists are increasingly contributing ideas, leadership, and missionary innovation that enriches the church's worldwide mission and advances the gospel in Africa and beyond, AUA representatives said.

"I got to realize that Africa is rich with academic human resources ready to rewrite the mission story of Africa," said one participant.

AUA representatives said, "to rewrite the mission story is not simply to produce a new African narrative; it is to broaden the resources from which the global Adventist Church understands mission itself.

AUA representatives said the university plays an important role in shaping a new African narrative. "The university has become a platform through which African scholarship can participate in global Adventist conversations," they said.

The Research Conference held at AUA was significant because it created intellectual spaces for Africa to participate in shaping Adventism's future worldwide, they added.

"Africa should not be viewed as only a territory in which the church is growing. It is also a place where missionary experience, scholarly leadership, and practical innovation can strengthen the church's witness across cultures and continents," AUA representatives said.

The Research Conference concluded by tasking participants with engaging in mutual learning, encouraging Africa to learn from the global church as the global church learns from African congregations.