Reformation Conference

The Annual Reformation Conference began as an initiative to honor the legacy of the Protestant Reformation, sparked on October 31, 1517, by Martin Luther in Wittenberg, Germany. Pastor Baron Mbala, inspired by the 500th anniversary of this monumental event, reached out to his former pastor, Israel Mbambi of Salem Evangelical Church in Kinshasa, to hold a conference that would revisit the Reformation’s causes and consequences.

The first conference was held from February 28 to March 2, 2018, under the theme, “The Protestant Reformation, Yesterday and Today.” With participation from local pastors like Sita Luemba, Raoul Matadi, Roland Dalo, and Mbambi Israel, the conference successfully brought attention to the need for theological clarity and depth in the Congolese church. The overwhelming interest and positive feedback from church leaders led to the establishment of the Annual Reformation Conference as a recurring event dedicated to theological reformation and growth in Africa.

The Annual Reformation Conference is deeply rooted in the biblical call to uphold the truth of the Gospel. Scriptures like Jude 1:3, which urges believers to “contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints,” and 2 Timothy 3:16-17, which speaks of Scripture’s sufficiency for teaching, reproof, correction, and training in righteousness, serve as foundational texts for the conference. The event seeks to re-emphasize the authority of God’s Word, challenging attendees to hold fast to sound doctrine amidst widespread distortions such as the prosperity gospel, deliverance gospel, and other false teachings. The biblical vision is to promote a church built upon solid doctrinal foundations, where believers are equipped to grow in maturity and discernment.

The primary purpose of the Annual Reformation Conference is to inspire a return to the biblical Gospel by addressing the doctrinal errors that have permeated the church in Africa, particularly in the Democratic Republic of Congo. Considering the rapid numerical growth of Christianity across the continent, the conference aims to deepen believers’ understanding of their faith, countering the concerning trend that the church is often “a mile long and an inch deep.” The conference provides an opportunity for church leaders to revisit the legacy of the Reformation, discern its relevance for today, and challenge doctrinal distortions that undermine the true Gospel. The ultimate aim is to foster a community of believers equipped with sound theology who can, in turn, shepherd others effectively.

The secondary purpose is to renew the commitment to the biblical Gospel by encouraging active participation in spreading the Gospel through church planting and reforming existing churches. This involves equipping church leaders and congregations with the necessary tools to establish new churches and bring existing ones in line with sound doctrine, fostering spiritual growth and community transformation.

The Annual Reformation Conference faces several challenges in achieving its mission. Chief among these is the prevalence of false doctrines such as the prosperity gospel, deliverance gospel, the culture of “prophetism,” and the issue of syncretism, which have deeply infiltrated the church in Congo and across Africa. These doctrines often offer an attractive but distorted version of the Gospel, promising material wealth or supernatural deliverance without addressing the core issues of sin, repentance, and transformation in Christ. Additionally, there is the challenge of engaging church leaders and members who may be resistant to change due to entrenched traditions or a lack of theological education. The conference seeks to overcome these barriers by providing a space for honest discussion, biblical teaching, and practical guidance, encouraging church leaders to return to the foundational truths of Scripture.

One of the key strategies of the Annual Reformation Conference is to tap into the wealth of the body of Christ around the world. By collaborating with ministries and churches that have demonstrated stability and consistency in their commitment to the biblical Gospel, we bring in resources such as experienced speakers and sound theological books. This approach not only enriches the conference content but also fosters a conversation that respects both the culture and the context of the participants. The conference serves as a cross-cultural bridge, creating meaningful dialogue between different parts of the global church, particularly between the West and the Global South. This exchange helps ensure that the Gospel is understood and applied in culturally relevant ways while maintaining its biblical integrity.

Another important strategy involves utilizing the Annual Reformation Conference as a platform for recruiting students into Praxis Bible School. This strategy aims to prepare individuals for effective ministry and church planting, in partnership with the Great Commission Collective, a network with which Gospel Influence Ministry collaborates for church planting efforts. The Great Commission Collective played a crucial role in helping us establish our first church in Kinshasa.