FAITH AND GENDER: EQUALITY FOR WOMEN AND MEN, IN THE CHURCH AND SOCIETY
Date: August 23-25, 2018
Venue: “Vision for Africa International Christian College, Kampala”
Why “Faith and Gender” conference in Uganda?
While studies indicate steady growth of the Church in the sub Sahara Africa, shocking realities also reveals high level of inequalities. Many women are still isolated from leadership and decision making platforms both in church and society. Family and domestic violence is on the rise while female genital mutilation is hugely and secretly practiced in silence against the law, among others.
Although churches are among the powerful agents of social change, the potential danger and risk is the fact that many churches in the region are still rooted in patriarchal traditions which opposes ideas of women leadership and equality. The Bible is often interpreted to teach male leadership and authority which always sideline and deny women equal opportunity in decision making process.
With delegates mostly faith leaders from sub Sahara Africa and around the world, this conference invited honest conversation to explore faith and biblical foundation on equality and justice for women and men in the church and society. This conference aimed to equip and empower faith leaders to be strong advocates for equality and justice for women and men in order to end root causes of Poverty and rampant cases of Sexual and Gender Based Violence in the region.
Biblical Text
“Faith and Gender: Equality for Women and Men, in the Church and Society” is based on Romans 15:5ff “…May God, who gives this patience and encouragement, help you live in complete harmony with each other…”
Plenary presentations and Workshops
Our lineup of speakers includes pastors, authors, professors, and social justice advocates from Africa and around the world.
Ekklesia Foundation was proud to feature the following speakers at the 2018 Kampala conference:
Plenary Speakers and Workshop Speakers
EMILY ONYANGO
Lecture Title: A Biblical and Cultural Analysis on Gender Equality: A Case Study of the Luo in Kenya.
The Rev’d Canon Dr. Emily Awino Onyango, is a priest in the Anglican Church in Kenya. She is senior lecturer at St. Paul’s University in Limuru in Ecclesiastical studies, African Christian theology and gender studies. She is mainly involved in training of of clergy and lay training in the Church.
MEDAD BERUNGI
Lecture Title: A Lie long Told.
The Rev’d Dr. Medad Birungi is a Charismatic Anglican priest working as an Associate Vicar in Nsambya Parish in the Diocese of Kampala, Uganda. He is also the Founder and President of World Shine Ministries that seeks to Reach, Raise and Release people into their Destiny through engaging in evangelism, discipleship and intercession in Uganda and overseas.
Medad studied Bachelor of Arts with Education, Master of Education from Makerere University. He also studied a Master of Theology fro London Bible College-Brunel University in London. He has post-graduate certificates in Christian leadership and Ministry from Haggai Institute Singapore, University of Zambia Lusaka, Weavery Christian Counselling Centre, Surrey UK, Uganda Christian University and Compass Crusade (Life Ministry Uganda). He has a PhD in Leadership Ethics and Integrity from Makerere University Kampala Uganda. Rev. Medad is also a Senior Lecturer in Development Ethics at Kyambogo University in Kampala Uganda.
AMY CHASE
Lecture Title: On Speaking and Spaces in Proverbs 31: The Struggle to Share within Marriage. Download presentation
Amy J. Chase is an adjunct professor at Seton Hall University, South Orange, New Jersey. She has studied at Wheaton College (B.A.), Fuller Seminary (M.A.), and Drew University (Ph.D., anticipated 2019). Her dissertation examines how Proverbs 31 processes communal anxieties and constructs identities for men and women within a post-exilic Yehudite setting.
DAVID KODIA
Lecture Title: The Concept of Gender Equality as a foundation for Global Peace. Download Paper here
The Rt. Rev Prof David Kodia is an accomplished scholar in Biblical theology. He has been involved in university education for more than 20 years during which he served as the principal of Bishop Okullu College as well as the Acting Vice Chancellor of the Great Lakes University of Kisumu.
Prof. Kodia has published widely in numerous referred journals. He has been a visiting professor of religion in several universities, supervising both Masters and PhD students. Among his most popular publications are: The Sociology, Theology, and Intricacies of Truth in Modern Society; Towards a ministry of social service and challenges of volunteerism in the church and society in Africa; The Role of the church in democratization processes in; The Prognosis of the Church’s involvement in Development in the context of her mission ; Poverty in Grace: Social Responsibility of the Church and Society in war against Poverty.
Prof. Kodia was elected and consecrated as the second bishop of the Anglican Church of Kenya in the Diocese of Bondo on 4th June 2017. He married Janepher Kodia with whom God blessed them with five children.
Globally Prof. Kodia had been involved in the evaluation of South Sudan Peace process and was recently elected as the advisor to Religious leaders in South Sudan on Peace and Reconciliation.
NICOLA LOCK
Lecture Title: Being a Light on a Hill (Matt 5:14) . Download Presentation
Nicola has worked as a Christian counsellor for over 25 years and currently coordinates the Masters of Pastoral Counselling at Charles Sturt University, Canberra, Australia. For the past 20 year she has been consulting with the national Anglican Church in Australia about Professional Standards and sexual misconduct policy. Nicky has extensive cross cultural experience, having lived in 4 continents, lectured at the University of Dar es Salaam in Tanzania: she has also run clergy training in Tanzania, Pakistan, Indonesia and Canada.
HANNAH RASMUSSEN
Lecture Title: Saving Grace for Women: 1 Timothy 2:8-15 . Download presentation
Hannah Rasmusen grew up in Tanzania and Kenya as a missionary kid. At young age she developed her passions her faith or writing, sharing faith and advocating for justice. She studied English and sociology at Manchester college in Minnesota (USA). Through leadership opportunities in campus ministry and a church internship, God called her to full -time ministry.
She currently works as editorial assistance on the Africa study Bible, and is pursuing a Masters of Divinity at Africa International University in Nairobi.
IJEOMA B. ANUMAKA
Lecture Title: Repositioning Women’s Equal Access to Spiritual and intellectual Power Structure and Policy making in the Church and Society. Download Paper
Ijeoma is a licensed and ordained Minister of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Happily married with children, has served as a Principal, Director of Administration and Registrar, in both local Educational Institutions and International organizations. She has pioneered women and youths organizations including Team Deborah, Unravel Africa and presently the Chairperson of Club18+: a socio-cultural mix organization, interested in individuals’ self-discovery. Ijeoma is also a conference speaker, author, and has published many local and international articles. She is hardworking, goal-oriented, very good team spirit and excellent working relationship, teachable and loves to contribute to growth and development. She is a Nigerian, of Ibo descent, presently working and living in Kampala ,Uganda. Ijeoma loves touching lives by creating joy in individuals she comes in contact with.
BARB ORLOWSKI
Lecture Title: Two Problematic Passages in the Bible. Download Paper here
Dr. Barb Orlowski lived overseas, with her husband and two children, as expatriates for nine years in Saudi Arabia and had the privilege of living cross-culturally and international travel.
Orlowski’s doctoral research looked into the harm of spiritual abuse in the church. Her book is entitled “Spiritual Abuse Recovery”: dynamic research on finding a place of wholeness. This book gives voice to those who have experienced spiritual abuse in their home church and how they recovered from this devastating experience.
Dr. Barb has taught on the topic of biblical gender equality at many conferences in Kenya and Uganda.
MARTHA KESTER
Lecture Title: Living out our identity in Jesus and God’s intention in Creation. Download Presentation
The Rev. Martha Kester is the Rector of St Luke’s Episcopal Church in Des Moines, Iowa and a Major in the U.S. Army. She serves God and country as a Chaplain in the Iowa Army National Guard and was deployed to Afghanistan in 2010. Her undergraduate education consists of a Bachelor of Arts degree from Franklin & Marshall College in 1990. After graduating, she went into youth ministry, where she worked more than 10 years, until being called to the ordained priesthood within the Episcopal Church. After completing the required study, Trinity Episcopal School for Ministry awarded her a Masters of Divinity in 2006, and she began serving at St. Luke’s Episcopal Church in Des Moines, Iowa that same year. She has been at St Luke’s since, and the congregation is both proud and supportive of her military service.
PAMELA MA KERTHO
Lecture Title: Breaking Gender Stereotypes: Explore, Learn and Dream without limits. Download Presentation
Pamela MA Kertho is a Development Consultant and founder at Hupomone Ltd, a company limited by guarantee whose goal is to ensure social well being through developing skills and capacities of women and men, girls and boys in socio/economic development. She holds a Master degree in Development studies from Uganda Martyrs University, Bachelors degree in Education from Makerere University, Kampala and Post graduate Diploma in Gender and Women studies from Makerere University, Post graduate studies in Monitoring and Evaluation from the University of North Carolina, USA. She has extensive experience in gender mainstreaming and integration, evidence based policy research, advocacy and networking skills, Programme development, coordination and management and excellent skills in communication, team building and motivational leadership facilitating, and working in a multi-disciplinary and multi-cultural team. Pamela is a born again woman, married with two children and is active in the Christian Women fellowship activities of the Anglican Church in Uganda.
FRANK MICHAEL TWEHEYO
Lecture Title: Gender and Redemption. Download Presentation
Frank Michael Tweheyo is a Senior Pastor at Christian Fellowship Church, Kabale in Uganda and the regional overseer in S.W Uganda. He is the Africa Regional Coordinator of Empower International Ministries. He graduated with diploma in Christian Ministry from Joshua Nations institute USA, Bachelors degree in International Christian Ministry from Kayiwa international University and Masters Degree in Global Leadership from Fuller Theological Seminary Designation. Pastor Frank is married to Phobice Tweheyo and blessed with miracle twins after 24 years of waiting, Samuel and Samalie.
WAYNE PELLY
Lecture Title:Women’s role in the Church: Considering the Whole Counsel of God. Download Presentation
Wayne Pelly serves as an elder in his church with responsibility for missions (global outreach) and occasionally teaches adult classes. He has served as a minister with Empower International Ministries since his first trip in 2011, and with whom this will be his sixth trip to east Africa to facilitate seminars in biblical gender equality and mutuality. A former pastor and cost management specialist, he has both a Masters of Divinity (M.Div.) and a Bachelors of Arts (B.A.) in Pastoral Ministry.
CYRUS GODFFREY ROD
Lecture Title: Myth of Weilding Authority. Watch the Video here
Cyrus is the lead Pastor of Dominion Faith Church and an acclaimed teacher of the word of God. He is an international speaker in Conferences and churches. Cyrus is a regular guest on National and international TVs and radio stations and also host of “Living by faith” and “Love Pulse” radio broadcast that airs on Mama Fm in Uganda. He is an accomplished recording artist and song writer, the author of “Unlocking Marital Bliss”, “Live life or Die Trying” and others coming out soon. He is the leader of the Marrieds In Nakawa Division and Ntinda Pastors fellowship under the National Fellowship of Bornagain Churches in Uganda. Blissfully married to Pastor Robi Rod, together they have three children and live in the suburbs of Kampala, the capital city of Uganda.