August 13-15, 2008 | Conference in Nairobi, Kenya
Partnership in Theological Education in Africa
The Henry Center was also pleased to host a conference in Nairobi, Kenya from August 13-15, 2008. Led by Dr. Tite Tienou of TEDS in partnership with Dr. Douglas Carew of Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST), this gathering focused on the challenges and strengths of theological education in Africa, and on the ways in which TEDS might best partner with African seminaries for the benefit of all in years ahead.
Over three days, faculty and students from NEGST and TEDS joined with invited participants from selected seminaries in Africa to seek through discussion and prayer a plan for the future of their partnerships in theological training. These participants and institutions included: Professor Bulus Galadima, Provost of Jos ECWA Theological Seminary (Nigeria), Rev. Isaac Keita, President of Faculte de Theologie Evangelique de l’Alliance Chretienne (Cote d’Ivoire), Rev. Joe Simfukwe, Principal of the Theological College of Central Africa (Zambia), Prof. Desta Heliso, Director of Ethiopian Graduate School of Theology (Ethiopia), Dr. Katho Bungishabaku, Director of Institut Superieur
Theologique de Bunia, and Dr. Marta Bennett, Acting Dean for Postgraduate Studies at Nairobi International School of Theology (Kenya). The Henry Center was very pleased at the diverse range of schools represented. The diversity of institutions and nationalities contributed greatly to the richness of conversation and planning.
The main purpose of the gathering was to strategize regarding the most helpful kinds of institutional partnerships between American and African seminaries in future years, especially in light of the recent development of a Ph.D. program at NEGST in biblical and linguistic studies. The conference accomplished this purpose through six sessions that addressed important aspects of internationally focused theological education. From “Why Partnerships,” the topic of the first session, and “Goals of a True Partnership,” the subject of the third, to “Finalizing a Document on Partnership,” the conference elicited much helpful fellowship and discussion toward the fulfillment of its goals.
In the end, the combined group drafted a resolution to be submitted to participating institutions in favor of a long-term partnership between TEDS, NEGST, and a group of other African seminaries led by NEGST, for faculty and Ph.D. student exchange, as well as common research and publishing projects. The details of the future partnership are currently taking shape.
