The Center of Influence in Benguela, Angola, held its First Congress on Global Mission from October 16 to 18, 2025, under the theme: "The Urban Call of Adventist Mission."

The event aimed to strengthen missionary work in urban contexts, promoting theological reflection, strategic training, and spiritual mobilization.

Over the three-day program, the congress gathered leaders, youth, missionaries, and guests from various regions of the country, including non-Adventist representatives, in an environment of dialogue, testimony, and commitment to mission.

Distinguished Speakers and Key Messages

Silas B. Muabsa, associate secretary of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID), presented a strategic vision for the Seventh-day Adventist Church's role in transforming African cities.

"Urban mission is the prophetic call of the church to be light where there are dense shadows. This congress is a clear sign that Angola is ready to respond with faith, creativity, and commitment," he stated.

Juvenal Chirimbimbi, university professor, addressed the theme "Integral Discipleship: Body, Mind, and Spirit," presenting success cases in urban centers and inspiring testimonies.

Nélio Jorge, director of the New Life Center of Influence in Luanda, presented a profound reflection on "Christ's Model in Urban Ministry," highlighting the relevance of incarnation and proximity in missionary service.

Vasco Chinate, director of the Benguela Center of Influence and event host, explored the theme "God in the City: Biblical Foundations for Contemporary Urban Mission," reinforcing the church's role as a redemptive presence in urban spaces.

Rogério Tomé, special guest, delivered the presentation "Innovation and Influence: How Businesses Can Be Centers of Hope in Urban Mission," proposing an integration between faith, entrepreneurship, and social impact.

An Inclusive and Strategic Approach

The event was considered a milestone in Adventist mobilization for urban evangelism, promoting a comprehensive approach that unites spirituality, management, inclusion, and innovation. The diversity of themes and speaker profiles contributed to a broader and more contextualized vision of mission in cities.

Organizers structured the program to address biblical, social, administrative, and innovative dimensions of urban mission, promoting an integral and contextualized vision. They said the presence of non-Adventist guests, business professionals, and academics reinforced the Church's openness to dialogue and for inter-institutional collaboration.

Commitment to Action

The event concluded with spiritual appeals, moments of worship, testimonies, and public commitments from leaders and members, reaffirming that Adventist mission in cities must be incarnational, inclusive, strategic, and deeply biblical, organizers said.

"The First Global Mission Congress in Benguela established a new standard for urban missionary engagement in Angola, demonstrating that effective evangelism in contemporary cities requires not only spiritual dedication but also strategic innovation and meaningful partnerships across different sectors of society," they concluded.

The original article was provided by the South Western Angola Union.