International scholars, theologians, and church leaders call for truth, justice, and renewal in the postcolonial mission of the Church.

After five days of reflection, dialogue, and cross-continental exchange, the international conference “Colonialism, Mission, and Responsibilities for the Future: The Example of the Great Lakes Region in Central Africa” concluded on October 10, 2025, at the Bethany Hotel in Karongi. The gathering ended with a renewed call for truthful remembrance, equitable partnerships, and transformative education across church and academic institutions, affirming Rwanda’s growing role as a space for global theological reflection and reconciliation.

A Historic Gathering at the Heart of Africa:

Set against the tranquil backdrop of Lake Kivu, the conference brought together more than fifty theologians, historians, educators, and church leaders from Africa and Europe. It examined the complex intersections of Christian mission and colonialism: a relationship marked by both deep wounds and transformative encounters of faith.

Jointly organized by the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR), the Protestant University of Rwanda (PUR), and European academic partners including the Ruhr University Bochum, the University of Bamberg, and the University of Hamburg, the event received support from Evangelische Mission Weltweit (EMW), the United Evangelical Mission (VEM), the Evangelische Kirche von Westfalen (EKvW), and Kerk in Actie.

In his opening address, Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya, President of the EPR, set the tone for the discussions:

“We came together to face our shared history honestly. To build the future, we must first understand the roots of our divisions and transform them into opportunities for healing and collaboration.”

Global Representation and Institutional Collaboration:

The conference drew representatives from over fifty institutions across Africa and Europe, one of the most inclusive gatherings of its kind in recent years.

From Africa, participants included leaders and scholars from the Presbyterian Church of Rwanda (EPR), Protestant University of Rwanda (PUR), Makumira University and the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Tanzania, the University of Dar es Salaam, KwaZulu-Natal University, and the Communauté Baptiste au Centre de l’Afrique (CBCA) in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

From Europe, contributors represented institutions such as the Ruhr University Bochum, University of Bamberg, University of Hamburg, University of Bern, University of Fribourg, University of Zurich, University of Jena, University of Salzburg, University of Erlangen, University of Göttingen, and the University of Turku in Finland.

The presence of mission partners and global church agencies, including Kerk in Actie, EKvW, EKiR, VEM, and EMW, underscored the global nature of the dialogue on decolonization and mission renewal.

 From Historical Memory to Critical Reflection:

Early sessions revisited the ambivalent role of missions during colonial rule in the Great Lakes region. Prof. Traugott Jähnichen (Ruhr University Bochum) analyzed Protestant missionary movements under German colonialism, while Dr. Claudia Jahnel (University of Hamburg) reminded participants that mission history is not monolithic:

“Some missionaries reinforced colonial hierarchies. Yet others, guided by conscience and faith, stood with the oppressed. Acknowledging this ambivalence helps restore the church’s moral integrity.”

Rwandan scholar Rev. Janvier Ntayomba explored indigenous spiritualities such as Guterekera and Kubandwa, showing how these traditions could shape local receptions of Christianity and foster a contextual theology.

The Church and the Decolonization Journey:

Later panels examined the post-independence quest for self-definition within African churches. Prof. Philippe Denis of South Africa urged churches to embrace a “theology of memory and repentance” in confronting their silences during the 1994 Genocide against the Tutsi. Prof. Lusungu Mbilinyi (Makumira University) reflected on the Evangelical Lutheran Church’s internal struggles with colonial legacies, while Prof. Franz Gmainer-Pranzl (University of Salzburg) proposed an ethical framework for addressing “intellectual and political responsibilities for the future.”

Roundtable dialogues brought personal testimonies from missionaries and church leaders, including Rev. Helmut Keiner, Rev. Prof. Gerard, and Rev.  Auli van’t Spijker, and Rev. Karin Philidius, who shared how partnerships between European and African churches have evolved toward mutual respect and reciprocity.

Rev. Dr. John Wesley Kabango, Regional Representative of VEM, summarized the spirit of the conference: “True partnership is not charity, it is companionship. When we listen with humility, the wounds of history become seeds of renewal.”

Theological and Educational Pathways for Transformation:

Panels on theology and education emphasized epistemic justice, contextual learning, and decolonized pedagogy. Rev. Deogratias Niyitegeka of PUR presented “Mission and the Socioeconomic Empowerment of Churches and Society in Post-Colonial Rwanda”, stressing that mission must now mean empowerment and sustainability: “The legacy of mission must be measured not by the past alone but by its contribution to entrepreneurship, inclusion, and ecological responsibility.”

Moreover, Mrs. Francoise Niyonsaba connected mission and environmental ethics, urging churches to rediscover African ecological wisdom suppressed by colonial influence. Rev. Dr. Celestin Nsengimana and Dr. Emmanuel Niyibizi emphasized that decolonizing education requires transforming language, pedagogy, and curriculum.

“Education is liberation,” said Niyibizi. “We must teach Africa from Africa’s perspective.”

A Global Ecumenical Perspective and Scholarly Insights:

A major highlight was the keynote lecture by Prof. Heinrich Bedford-Strohm, Moderator of the World Council of Churches (WCC), titled “Swords into Plowshares? The Role of the Ecumenical Movement for Overcoming Violence in Conflict Regions.” He called for a global ethic rooted in empathy and shared responsibility: “Colonialism left not only political scars but emotional and theological wounds. Churches must now turn symbols of power into instruments of peace. History cannot be undone, but it can be redeemed through solidarity.”

Prof. Franz Gmainer-Pranzl complemented this view by emphasizing that the future of theology depends on its capacity to engage ethics, memory, and social justice. “Postcolonial theology,” he noted, “must be interdisciplinary, embracing history, philosophy, and action.”

As the conference drew to a close, participants shared reflections on their experiences. Prof. Claudia Jahnel observed, “Karongi has reminded us that academic theology must always listen to lived realities.”

Mrs Mimi Brown, a young theologian from Tanzania, remarked, “This gathering was a bridge, connecting the memory of pain with the hope of transformation.”

Commitments and Future Collaboration:

The Final Communiqué outlined shared commitments:

·       To strengthen North–South academic and ecclesial partnerships grounded in equality.

·       To promote decolonized theological education rooted in African realities.

·       To integrate social justice, peacebuilding, and ecological care into mission practice.

·       To continue joint research and student exchange between African and European institutions.

In his closing remarks, Rev. Dr. Pascal Bataringaya reminded participants: “Decolonization is not an event but a journey. We cannot change history, but we can change its meaning by transforming memory into mission.”

As the sun set over Lake Kivu on October 10, 2025, the conference closed with gratitude, hope, and conviction that the dialogue begun in Karongi would continue to inspire churches and universities worldwide to walk together toward truth, justice, and reconciliation.

As one participant poignantly expressed: “Karongi was more than a conference. It was a pilgrimage, a return to history’s crossroads and a collective promise to walk a new path together.”

By Rev. Deogratias NIYITEGEKA