Closing thoughts on the Ethiopia Institute for 2011

Kenya, Central African Republic, South Africa, Zambia

Mozambique, Ethiopia, Chad, Nigeria, Congo, Namibia

Uganda, Senegal, Togo, Sierra Leone, Benin, Ghana

… are just some of the countries that were represented at the Institute in Ethiopia a couple of weeks ago.

Here are a few closing thoughts on the time spent in Ethiopia: 

OC had a unique platform this year, bringing together seminaries from around the whole continent who have not had the opportunity to come together in this way for over 15 years.  19 Countries were represented from the African Continent, 25 including outside continents. The people represented in these 19 countries were able to share common challenges and solutions. For example, when discussing the topic of entrepreneurial opportunities in the third stream of revenue for a seminary, one leader shared the invaluable asset a banana plantation has been for his seminary, in which another seminary leader realized aloud, “we could do this”.

The changes in the actual event have proven fruitful and the emphasis is now on how the school could benefit from this conference, not just how participants can benefit. Strategic changes to this paradigm shift include a MAP (Ministry Action Plan) designer per seminary instead of designed per participant. This encourages the seminary team at the conference to collaborate effectively in deciding what is best for the seminary.

Leaving Ethiopia was difficult, as it was a unique opportunity to see an entire continent of seminary leaders all committed to the same purpose Overseas Council is committed to: Advancing Christian Leaders.