The Association of Evangelicals held a Leadership Development seminar in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire from August 25 – 26, 2016 for the leaders of the National Evangelical Fellowships in the countries of Francophone Africa. The theme emphasized training leaders for galvanizing the church to reach and disciple the remaining unreached people groups of Africa.
The opening ceremonies were marked by welcoming remarks from Dr. Aiah Foday-Khabenje, AEA’s General Secretary; Reverend Gboagonon Appollinaire, the President of the Federation of Evangelicals of Cote D’Ivoire; and the participants were also welcomed by Dr. Issiaka Coulibaly, the Dean of the FATEAC seminary where the seminar was held in Abidjan.
Dr. Mario LI-Hing, the Chairman of the AEA Board, was the keynote speaker who spoke on the topic of Biblical Leadership in context for Kingdom Advance. He strongly advocated that a Christian’s leader must make fulfilling the great commission their priority. Dr. Solomon Andria, a missionary and leadership speaker, challenged the participants to be transformational leaders who live out biblical qualities and disciplines in ministry. Reverend Joseph Mayala, Leadership Development advocate with Compassion International and a member of the AEA board, gave a challenging presentation about the Leaders Intimacy with God. Dr. Bako of Cote D’Ivoire, and Dr. Mario LI-Hing spoke on the Leaders Call to Developing Holistic Discipleship Advanced by Reaching Unreached People Groups. The issue of Leadership in Mission utilizing AEA’s Mandate and Strategic Plan Requiring Maximized Leadership of National Evangelical Fellowship Leaders was addressed by Dr. Aiah Foday Khabenje: Ezekiel Jako, Director of AEA’s Missions Commission; and Dr. Mario LI-Hing. This presentation was followed by AEA’s General Secretary outlining some of the competencies needed for Effective Leadership based on his research of national evangelical leaders in Africa.
Reverend Joseph Mayala clearly presented the Perils and Potential of Children in Africa Today between the ages of 4 to 14 with application discussed in small groups. The Challenges and Opportunities in leading the Church of Africa Today was introduced by Dr. Aiah Foday Khabenje and Dr. Youssouf Dembele, President of AGEMPEM, Mali followed by Dr. Bako challenging the church leaders to lead the Church to Reach and Disciple the Unreached People Groups of Africa. Ezekiel Jako facilitated group discussion on the question: What will it take to enlist the Local Church to reach unreached people groups?
In an evening session, Martha Barnett, a Leadership Developer for a women’s prayer movement, addressed the four steps of prayer in the transformation of children: Praise, Confession, Thanksgiving and Intercession. Reverend Jonas Robert Sawadogo followed with a power illustrating the power of prayer particularly in reaching children between the ages of 4 to 14.
The last day tied leadership to the task of reaching the remaining unreached people groups of Africa first through small group discussions which addressed the question: What will it take to enlist Local Churches to champion Reaching and Making Disciples of Unreached People Groups? Leaders then identified unreached people groups to be adopted. Dr. Aiah and Reverend Ezekiel Jako closed the seminar through a time of leaders committing to renewed unity and focus toward galvanizing the church to reach and disciple the remaining of Africa’s unreached people groups.