In a convergence at Dove Hotel, the ADEPR Church played host to a momentous international gathering that resonates with Africa's bold aspirations for 2050. Under the aegis of the Association of Christian Schools International (ACSI), the Africa Roundtable 4 (ART4) conference commenced in Kigali on Monday, August 21.

Assembled under the banner "Envisioning the church and Christian schooling together for Africa 2050," this landmark event, scheduled to culminate on August 25, stands as a crucible for shaping the trajectory of quality education pivotal to realising Africa's visionary transformation.

Moreover, it aims to prepare participants for their crucial leadership roles in the coming years and guide them in crafting a declaration that is expected to make a substantial impact on the advancement of Christian education across the continent.

According to Larry Taylor, the President of ACSI, the fourth roundtable focuses on how churches across Africa can strategically partner with Christian schools to provide a Christ-centered, high-quality education to all children.

ACSI considers Africa a top priority, and Taylor noted that the organisation extends its goal to 2050 to impact an entire generation of children who currently lack access to education.

"Our strategy involves engaging parents and fostering synergy between churches and schools,” he said.

Taylor further emphasised that the church and parents are God-ordained entities for training the next generation, adding that it is a spiritual formation environment, with pastors and leaders creating the necessary atmosphere to fulfill this biblical mandate.

Over the past two years, ADEPR Church has engaged in fruitful discussions with ACSI while endeavoring to revamp the education system in their 316 schools nationwide.

According to Pastor Isaiah Ndayizeye, the Senior Pastor of ADEPR, their primary objective has been to ensure that the schools provide top-notch education and instill strong values in order to effect meaningful change in both the Christian and Rwandan communities.

This pursuit, he said, led them to collaborate with ACSI, culminating in the organisation of Africa Roundtable 4.

Ndayizeye believes that the gathering will illuminate potential avenues for enhancing the quality of education and values within Christian schools, thereby benefiting their educational institutions.

"This endeavour will further fortify the alignment of ADEPR's mission within our schools, empowering students to become problem solvers of the future,” he said.

Moreover, Ndayizeye noted that approximately 65 per cent of Rwandan schools have a religious foundation, underscoring the pivotal role they can play in fostering a vibrant Rwandan community when equipped with quality education and strong values.

In light of this, Ndayizeye noted the importance of aligning ACSI's Vision 2050 with Rwanda’s, emphasising that achieving both objectives necessitates providing high-quality education, given its substantial impact on the overall development of the country.

Pascal Gatabazi, the Chief Technical Advisor at the Ministry of Education, acknowledged the effective management of schools affiliated with faith-based organisations, including Christian groups.

He said that these institutions instill Christian values in students, fostering a conducive environment for academic pursuits, adding that they assist the ministry in establishing and overseeing the schools.

Tackling Africa 2050, Gatabazi noted the serendipity of aligning it with Rwanda's Vision 2050, in which the nation aspires to achieve developed status.

He noted that the alignment underscores the potential for collaboration between the ministry and faith-based organisations.

Adunola Akinyemiju, the current chairperson of ACSI Africa and a native of Nigeria, stressed the conference's aim to look beyond the present, considering the impact of upbringing on children born today and those currently young, who will become future leaders.

She highlighted that raising children with godly values through collaboration between the church, family, and Christian schools was crucial for the transformation of Africa.

Adunola further underscored the significance of education quality from an early age and the necessity for parents, schools, and the church to work together harmoniously to provide a strong foundation for children.