Andrew F. Walls Conference 2026: Call for Papers

Theme: African and World Christianity Before and After Nicea AD 325: Theological, Historical and Contextual Perspectives

Location: Akrofi-Christaller Institute, Akropong-Akuapem (Day 1) and Trinity Theological Seminary, Legon-Accra (Day 2)

Date: 20-21 October 2026

Announcement

Last year, July 2025, marked the 1700th anniversary of the first Ecumenical Council meeting of Christian leaders in AD 325 in Nicaea (Turkey). The main reasons for the meeting, the process, as well as the theological decisions made by the leaders, have shaped Christianity up to our present day. Some Christian leaders from North Africa, parts of the Roman Empire, were actively involved in the council deliberations. Early Christianity in North Africa contributed, not only to the development of Nicene theology, but diversly to the growth and spread of Christianity throughout the Roman Empire and beyond.

The conference theme is designed to foster discussion about the dynamics of early African Christian thought prior to, and after, the AD 325 Council of Nicea organised under the auspices of the Emperor. As we traverse theological, historical and contextual perspectives we encourage papers that highlight the intersection of language, indigenous and contemporary ideas and use of Scripture or the Bible.

We invite papers focusing on, but not limited to, the following areas related to the conference theme and interest.

Nicea and North African Christianity before the Sixth Century

• Theology, Christology and Pneumatology
• Church Leadership
• Contribution of Women
• Orthodoxy and Heresy

Nicea and Contemporary African and World Christianity

• The Nicene Creed and Roman Catholicism
• The Nicene Creed and Reformed Traditions
• The Nicene Creed in Contemporary African Christianity

Submission Deadline: 3 July 2026

Kindly send title and abstract (150-300 words) to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. by Friday 3rd July 2026. Acceptance notice will be sent by Friday 17th July 2026. Selected papers after the conference will be considered upon further review for a special edition of the Journal of African Christian Thought (JACT).

The conference will be in person at the Akrofi-Christaller Institute of Theology, Mission and Culture, Akropong-Akuapem (Day 1) and Trinity Theological Seminary, Accra (Day 2) and online.

In lieu of a conference fee, we welcome donations to the Andrew F. Walls Centre for the Study of Early African Christianity (AFW-CESEAC); ACI Mobile Money (+233) 05 30 47 86 33 or kindly email (This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.).