Introduction

Education for children in the developing world is one of the most important gifts that can be given.  African children are the future of the continent. Education will provide them with the ability to break the cycle of poverty, it will give them a future and a hope, and a Christ-centred education that is intellectually developing and spiritually forming which will prepare them to take their place as the leaders of a growing church as well as in every other sector of society.  The current state of education in Africa, however, is plagued by a lack of leadership, funds, teachers, moral and spiritual development and basic resources.

Consider:

The church has historically played an important role in schooling that has been redemptive and has been the catalyst for training the next generation of leaders for the church and the communities they serve.  It is time to call the church back to a higher level of accountability in its role of rising up the next generation of leaders not only for the church but for every aspect of society across the sub-Sahara continent of Africa.

Africa Roundtable provided the momentum necessary to energize the Evangelical Church of Africa to develop strategic plans to propel the education agenda to the forefront of their church ministry and community development.  Church leaders, mission leaders, business leaders, and leaders in education from across Africa came together to develop African solutions for an African problem.

Throughout the deliberations of the Africa Roundtable, and the regional Roundtables ACSI is always positioned as a catalyst that can bring together the evangelical community in Africa to focus on the role of the Church and Christian schooling in advancing the Great Commission through education that is Christ-centred.

ACSI’s Response

On a personal note: I need to thank God for our president Dr Ken Smitherman and our IM Vice president Dr Dan Egeler and the leadership of ACSI who the Lord touched and allow them to take a giant step of responding to the call of Africa.  I also want to thank them from the bottom of my heart for giving me an opportunity to lead ACSI in the continent of Africa. This is the best gift of my life. I believe that He who called me will give me ability to lead. He promise that He will never live me nor forsake me (Heb 13:5-6)

Genesis 12:1 -22:4

By observing Abraham from Genesis 12:1 - 22:4 we can learn the criteria for God given vision. A vision must:

1. Be with God’s priorities (Gen.12:1, 2) God initiate the vision not Abraham. When the leaders starts with God‘s vision, they can easily maintain direction and keep their motives pure.
2. God‘s vision connects with the leader’s identity (Genesis 15:2-4) The vision Abraham receive fit him and Sarah exactly, it matches the needs and desires of this barren couple.
3. God’s vision includes others (Gen. 12:2) A vision from God always involves and bless others. The Lord told Abraham he will be blessed in order to bless others
4. God’s vision is always bigger than the leader Gen (17 :1-8)While Abraham wanted to father an heir, God wanted him to father the nations. That hope went far beyond Abraham’s wildest dream and his own capability.
5. Connect with the leader’s deepest convictions (Gen 18:9-12) The vision that capture Abraham’s heart mirrored his strongest value including his dire of family and land.
6. God’s given vision have internal value Abraham’s vision went far beyond his life on earth and include more than wealth and fame. His vision would affect eternal destiny of millions.

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