Educating for Mission at Solusi University

Commemorating 150 Years of Global Mission: “Educating for Mission”
Convention at Solusi University, Zimbabwe | March 4–8, 2025

In 2024, the Seventh-day Adventist Church marked a historic milestone—150 years of international mission—honouring the momentous sending of evangelist and scholar J. N. Andrews to Europe on September 15, 1874. As the Church’s first official foreign missionary, Andrews laid the foundation for global outreach and educational ministry. His legacy endures through institutions like Andrews University, named in his honour, which continues to embody his pioneering spirit.

To celebrate this sesquicentennial and to spark renewed missiological reflection and action within Adventist education, the General Conference Department of Education, in collaboration with the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID), East-Central Africa Division (ECD), West-Central Africa Division (WAD), Euro-Asia Division (ESD), and Southern Asia-Pacific Division (SSD), convened a landmark event titled “Educating for Mission.” This four-day regional convention was held from March 4–8, 2025, at Solusi University in Zimbabwe.

The event brought together more than 500 church leaders and educators from across the African continent and beyond, including delegates from SID, ECD, WAD, ESD, and SSD. It served as a vital platform for dialogue and collaboration on integrating mission into the core of Adventist education, with the aim of reaffirming and strengthening its role in developing ethical, service-driven leaders for the future.

Solusi University, the host institution, holds a special place in the history of Adventist education. As the first Seventh-day Adventist institution of higher learning in Africa, Solusi has long stood as a beacon of academic excellence, faith-based learning, and community service. It was here that the seeds of Adventist education on the continent were sown—seeds that have since grown into a vibrant network of institutions dedicated to holistic human development.

The convention featured a series of dynamic plenary sessions and workshops led by distinguished speakers from the General Conference and the participating Divisions. Key topics addressed included:

• Aligning institutional mission with the Church’s global mission

• Enhancing access to and affordability of quality education

• Ensuring the relevance of academic programs to modern societal needs

• Developing ethical and moral leadership

• Advancing technological innovation and digital transformation in education

• Strengthening research and development capacity

The professional discussions and spirit of collaboration throughout the convention underscored the Church’s deep commitment to educational excellence in support of its global mission.

The convention concluded with a memorable group visit to Victoria Falls—one of the world’s natural wonders—offering participants a unique moment of reflection, fellowship, and appreciation for the beauty and cultural heritage of Zimbabwe.

The “Educating for Mission” convention not only honored the legacy of J. N. Andrews but also charted a forward-looking course for Adventist education: one that remains firmly rooted in mission, responsive to contemporary challenges, and committed to a transformative impact around the globe.