ABPS Expands Its Global Impact

The Alliance for Black Pentecostal Scholarship continues to strengthen connections among scholars, pastors, students, and ministry leaders across Africa and the African diaspora. Through international conferences, academic partnerships, and new educational initiatives, ABPS is creating spaces where Pentecostal faith, African heritage, and rigorous scholarship can flourish together.

The Bible in the Pan-African Imagination

On August 10–11, 2026, the Alliance for Black Pentecostal Scholarship partnered with Central University, Ghana, to convene The Bible in the Pan-African Imagination: An Exploratory Symposium at ICGC Christ Temple East in Accra. The two-day gathering brought together leading theologians, biblical scholars, church leaders, and practitioners to explore the relationship between Scripture, African identity, theology, leadership, mission, and the future of Christianity.

Pastor Mensa Otabil delivered the opening foundational keynote, reflecting on the continuing significance of his influential work, Beyond the Rivers of Ethiopia: A Biblical Revelation on God’s Purpose for the Black Race. Prof. Clifton R. Clarke responded with an address entitled, “Beyond the Rivers of Ethiopia Revisited: African Christianity and the Question of African Agency.”

The symposium also addressed Christianity’s growth in Africa, Pan-African theological imagination, women and Scripture, Pentecostal identity, leadership, public theology, and the contribution of the African diaspora. The gathering represented an important step toward developing a genuinely Pan-African community of theological scholarship.

During the Ghana visit, Prof. Clarke also met personally with Pastor Mensa Otabil. Their conversation reflected a shared commitment to theological education, African Christian agency, and the development of future generations of Christian leaders.

Coming up this last quarter

Fourth Pan-African Pentecostal Conference and Pilgrimage

ABPS is preparing for the Fourth Pan-African Pentecostal Conference and Pilgrimage, to be held April 5–15, 2027, in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, in partnership with the Ethiopian Guenet Church.

Under the theme, “Journeys of Faith, Rooted in Ancient Christianity, Igniting the Future,” this eleven-day pilgrimage will bring together pastors, scholars, students, ministry workers, and Christian leaders for an unforgettable encounter with Ethiopia’s biblical and Christian heritage.

Participants will experience academic presentations, historical and sacred-site visits, Pentecostal worship, fellowship, and guided reflection on the importance of Ethiopia within African and global Christianity.

The pilgrimage will be accompanied by a six-week online course, Journeys of Faith and Scripture: The Ancient Church of Ethiopia and the Early Biblical Witness. The course will explore Ethiopian Christianity, the Ethiopian Bible, ancient Christian traditions, and their continuing global significance. Course credit will be awarded through North Central University.

Prof. Clifton R. Clarke, President of ABPS and Research Professor at North Central University, will serve as the principal lecturer. Space is limited, and prospective participants are encouraged to register early.

For additional information, contact drcliftonclarke@gmail.com.