Biblical worldview academy will equip SA believers to engage with secular society

Ryan Smit

A journey that began six years ago will take a giant step forward in January with the launch of a visionary training academy that aims to prepare South African Christians to practically apply a biblical worldview in every area of life and culture.

The inaugural Wilberforce worldview training academy in SA will start in January and conclude in October next year, said Wilberforce South Africa team member Ryan Smit who has wanted to start a local academy since 2016 when he attended the Wilberforce Academy in London, which, for more than a decade, has been equipping and empowering believers to stand for Jesus in public life.

Smit, who founded human-rights organisation Cause For Justice, said the SA academy’s inaugural programme will be similar to the UK academy’s intensive weeklong residential programme where leading Christian thinkers and practitioners equip and empower students and young professionals with a passion to serve Jesus in a variety of vocations, including law, politics, education, media, arts, healthcare, ministry and business.

Wilberforce Academy lecture in UK

“The 2023 South African academy will necessarily include topical content to address some uniquely African and South African social and cultural realities,” he says in a letter introducing the academy.

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“The aim of the academy is to prepare delegates for servant-hearted, Christ-centred engagement in their communities, churches and workplaces, being equipped with a robust biblical framework to guide their thinking, prayers and actions in interacting with the socio-cultural issues facing our society.

“At its core, the Wilberforce Academy is about coming together, seeking truth, understanding the times we are living in, and responding in wisdom — speaking the truth in love (Ephesians 4:14 – 16).,” he says.

The initial intensive, structured residential week in January will be followed by ongoing community building and equipping through three quarterly re-focus days.

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You can find out more about the Wilberforce South Africa team’s journey over the past year online at www.wilberforceacademy.org.za or you can watch the following short video: https://youtu.be/SWRXT4q1D4E

If you are interested in getting involved, contact the team at Wilberforce.SA@gmail.com

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3 Comments

  1. So important, as understanding Biblical worldview changed the way I saw others (other cultures) when we were taught this during my 1979 YWAM School of Evangelism. The teacher taught us that “different is not wrong unless it’s a sin.”

  2. Good Day I’m so glad for this initiative we as Christians Should be the Front runners ?‍♂️ in all spheres Economics/ Health/ Education/ Politics .

  3. This is wonderful news. The name “Wilberforce” reminds us of what a significant group of Christians did to rid
    England of the slave trade and slavery. Jesus called such people (and, in fact, all Christians) “the salt of the earth”.
    God bless all who stand up to speak truth to power.