Theme:  God’s Redemptive Plan for Reaching the Lost and Future Generations of Africa

Sponsored by the Association of Christian Schools International

Lagos, Nigeria

May 18-22, 2008

More than 150 delegates convened at Redemption City Resort on May 18, 2008 with the goal of honoring and critiquing the past of Christian schooling in Africa while constructively looking to the future.  The delegates were to address the current challenges of Christ-centered education and work together, encouraging strategic partnerships to advance the cause throughout the continent.

Delegates were educators, pastors, and other Christian leaders, mostly from Nigeria, but with some representation from Cameroon, Ghana, Uganda, and Tanzania.  There was broad representation of the denominational diversity of Nigeria.

The conference was very well organized by the Nigerians.  Nelson Ayodele of Standard Mandate International (Nigeria) traveled and promoted the conference to various schools and denominations and is responsible for the positive turnout of delegates.  Nelson worked together with a steering committee of educators who had previously worked with ACSI.

Samson Makhado, the newly appointed ACSI Director for all of Africa led the conference.  He gave presentations on the plight of education in Africa and a distinctive approach to Christian school curriculum.  Samson was immediately accepted as one of their own and built strong relationships from the time he set foot in the door.  The delegates demonstrated a great deal of honor and respect for Samson.  Gavin Brettany from Harvest Institute of Higher Education in South Africa presented “Biblical Worldview” and “How to Teach Christianly.”  Gavin’s approach was uniquely tailored to the context of Africa and his approach to biblical integration to the curriculum was accepted with enthusiasm.  Mike Epp (ACSI International Director for Europe, CIS, and Africa) shared the “Essentials of True Christian Schooling.”   Each day, a pastor or significant Christian leader made a presentation on the church’s role in Christian education, all of which wonderfully supported the theme and spirit of the conference.

It should be noted that during the conference the delegates had a special prayer of dedication for Samson, commissioning him in the new work the Lord has given him to lead Africa into the future of Christ-centered education.

Before each presentation there was time of worship and intercessory prayer.  After each session, the delegates met in groups of 15 to discuss questions related to the teaching and also bring resolutions to the challenges that they face in each area.  Each roundtable discussion time lasted 2 hours and was followed by a time of reporting from each group to the entire delegation.  There was no lack of interest and passion in all of these activities.  Notably, the delegates came up with biblical solutions to their situations.

Samson concluded the conference with a presentation on “The Way Forward.”  As the delegates enthusiastically embraced the idea of ACSI leading them as a nondenominational organization, Samson outlined the next steps to be taken.  The presentation was based upon the feedback from the delegates throughout the entire conference.  The delegates made a verbal commitment to do the work necessary to forge ahead.

The closing ceremony was held at a gala dinner in which the delegates adorned themselves with colorful and beautiful Nigerian native costume.  A time of prayer and commitment followed up a meaningful time of dancing and worship.  Each delegate was presented a plaque or certificate along with a packet of all of the notes and presentations given at the conference.

This was obviously a time of building on a foundation that others had laid, a time of reaping what others had sown.  We are grateful to God for what He has done, is doing, and will do in the future of these wonderful and dedicated people.  It is apparent to us that Africa will be changed and that quite possibly Africa will be used to minister to the world.

The following was presented as the “Way Forward” for the African delegation on Christ-centered schooling at the West Africa Roundtable of May 2008.

Unfolding God’s Redemptive Plan in the Nation of Nigeria:
INITIAL STRUCTURES

o      zonal committees

o      Identify leaders of different denominations

o      Intercession team planning (Dr Benjamin Udofia and his African team)

o      Organize national founding committee

National Founding Committee

Purpose: Prepare the way for a national association

·       Who:

o      The committee should consist of  representatives from different denominations, associations and schools

o      For the sake of registration the committee should be people who are influential and respected

·       The committee’s mandate:

o      To be inclusive

o      To register ACSI Nigeria

1.     Training the Trainers role:
In-service Teacher Certification

·       Coordinate “training the trainer” workshop in two venues for 4 days

o      Harvest Institute in partnership with ACSI will facilitate the training

o      Prospective date : 13 – 18 October 2008

·       Long term:

o      Involve Christian Higher Education as providers of training

2.     School leadership conferences role

·       Road tour to strategic cities in April 2009 (Samson will spend one month in visitation)

·       SMI will do the preparation

Advocacy

·       Collaborate  with the Christian lawyers association

·       Lobby other groups cautiously and patiently (Catholics and others)  to form a united front to represent independent schools at state and federal levels

·       Approach the National Education Ministries concerning issues raised on the action plan of this Roundtable.

Financial proposal (Long term): Membership fees qualify schools for ACSI services

·       80% of ACSI school membership fees is to be used in service to Nigerian schools

·       20%  of membership fees used to service the Pan African office

·       Other income generated from:

o      Donations

o      Book sales

o      Conferences

o      School accreditation