Africa Bible Impact Summit calls for Christ-centered transformation in Africa

The Africa Bible Impact Summit (ABIS), held from February 11-13, 2025, in Kigali, Rwanda, convened 144 delegates, including over 80 denominational leaders, mission and ministry leaders, Christian CEOs, and government officials. The summit represented voices from 30 African nations, as well as participants from the United Kingdom, Mexico, the United States, Thailand, Finland, and India.

Hosted by Community Bible Study (CBS), the summit aimed to accelerate the transformation of lives through God’s Word by fostering deep Bible engagement and discipleship across Africa.

Reaffirming Biblical Roots in Africa

During the opening session, Dr. Helder Favarin, CEO of CBS, delivered a plenary on Bible engagement, drawing insights from Nehemiah 8 to highlight effective approaches to Bible study.

Dr. Master Matlhaope, secretary general of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa (AEA), provided a historical overview of Christianity’s deep-rooted connection to Africa. He referenced the work of the late Dr. Byang Kato, emphasizing that Christianity is not a Western import but has significant historical ties to the African continent.

Challenging stereotypes that associate Christianity solely with Western influence, Matlhaope highlighted Africa’s longstanding role in the faith’s development. He referenced Egypt’s role in the Exodus, Ethiopia’s connection through the Queen of Sheba, and the contributions of early African church fathers such as Tertullian, Athanasius, and Augustine of Hippo.

“Africa was a major center of early Christianity and continues to shape theological thought today,” Matlhaope stated. He urged African leaders to reclaim their biblical heritage and interpret Scripture through the lens of African experiences while remaining faithful to biblical theology.

Hope for Africa: A Call to Discipleship

In his address, Hope for Africa, Prosper Isichei, CBS Sub-Saharan national coordinator, shared his discipleship journey, reflecting on his experiences across different Christian traditions—from an Anglican-Pentecostal upbringing to Catholic education, an Anglican boarding school, and engagement with various denominational ministries.

“We gather here today to reinforce the supremacy of the Bible in disciple-making, foster collaboration in spreading the gospel, and accelerate Christ-centered transformation in our communities,” Isichei said.

Leaders at the summit were encouraged to reflect on Africa’s youthful population and abundant resources, considering whether these assets were being fully leveraged for spiritual and societal growth.

“Africa is blessed! God has a plan for this continent! What colonialism, independence, industrialization, and indigenization could not achieve, the Spirit through the Word will accomplish,” he declared.

Quoting Revelation 3:17, he emphasized that Africa’s renewal is possible through biblical discipleship. “Our cities and systems can flourish again! Africa will lead again!” he proclaimed, urging a renewed commitment to raising disciples who will shape the future of global Christianity.

Key Voices Shaping the Future

The summit also featured prominent African Christian leaders, including:

• Femi Adeleye – Africa Director for Langham Preaching
• Kehinde Ojo – IFES Program Director for Indigenous Support Development
• Mike Adegbile – Nigerian missionary and mobilizer for North Africa
• Rev. Reuben E. Ezemadu – Founding and International Director of the Christian Missionary Foundation Inc.
• Jonathan Onigbinde – Managing Director of Nigeria Associated Best Foods Ltd.
• Peter Tarantal – Associate International Director of OM (South Africa)

These leaders have played pivotal roles in shaping discipleship and ministry across the continent.

The Ongoing Mission of Biblical Discipleship

Beyond ABIS, numerous initiatives continue to foster biblical discipleship across Africa. Organizations such as Tearfund, Church Transformation Network (CTN), Africa Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE), Living on the Edge, and the Association of Evangelicals in Africa’s (AEA) Theological Education by Extension (TEE) programs remain dedicated to training leaders and equipping believers for transformative ministry.

“Africa has a prophetic destiny,” Isichei affirmed. “It is Africa’s time, and we are the midwives and watchmen, creating access for the Word and the Spirit to move across the continent.”