6 Events We’re Excited About in 2026
Across Africa, Latin America, the Middle East, and beyond, Christian leaders are convening to ask hard questions, seek wisdom, discern what faithfulness requires in this moment, and shape the future of the Church.
Here are six global gatherings we’re eagerly anticipating this year.
ACTEA General Assembly | March 8th-12th, 2026 | Bishoftu, Ethiopia
In 2018, Africa became the continent with the largest number of Christians: 631 million. Today, that number has grown to more than 779 million and projections suggest that by 2050, 39% of the world’s Christians will live on the African continent.
Theological education is most critical where the Church is growing the most. For it is there where the need for credible, competent, compassionate, and confident leaders is most urgent.
For 50 years, the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA) has been at the forefront of this work, strengthening theological education across the continent through accreditation, research, and institutional capacity building with the aim to serve the Church and transform society.
This year’s General Assembly, themed “Future-Ready. Mission-Faithful,” will take place on March 8th to 12th in Bishoftu, Ethiopia. It promises to be a meaningful time of reflection, training opportunities, and forward-looking collaboration. For more information, click here.
In addition, as part of the celebration of the ACTEA’s fiftieth anniversary, Langham Publishing has published a collection of essays that explore the history and the present landscape of theological education in Africa. The volume, Future Ready, Mission Faithful: Theological Education in Africa, includes contributions from several members of the SL fellowship, including David Tarus, Yacouba Sanon, Grace Al-Zoughbi, and Sunday Bobai Agang.
Scholar Leaders will be in attendance at the General Assembly and we would love to see you. Please stop by our booth and say hello.
La Cátedra: Formación para la Presencia Profética | 12 al 15 de marzo de 2026 | Antioquía, Colombia
La Cátedra Caty y René Padilla es una conferencia organizada por la Comunidad de Estudios Teológicos Interdisciplinarios (CETI). Su propósito es ofrecer un espacio de aprendizaje colaborativo donde se intersectan la reflexión teológica, la misión integral y la formación espiritual.
El tema de este año, “Formación para la Presencia Profética,” invita a pensar cómo la Iglesia puede encarnar una voz fiel, valiente y profundamente arraigada en el evangelio dentro de nuestros contextos latinoamericanos.
El evento reunirá panelistas de distintos países de América Latina y se llevará a cabo en la Casa de Encuentros De La Salle en Rionegro, Antioquía, Colombia, del 12 al 15 de marzo. Para más información, haga clic aquí.
Christ at the Checkpoint | May 26th-30th, 2026 | Bethlehem, Palestine
Christ at the Checkpoint is the flagship conference of the Bethlehem Institute for Peace and Justice at Bethlehem Bible College. The conference brings together Christians from around the world to thoughtfully engage pressing questions of faith, peace, and justice, guided by the lived wisdom and interdisciplinary expertise of Palestinian Christians.
This year’s theme, “Kingdom Ethics in the Face of War and Genocide,” reflects the sobering realities that continue to mark Palestinian life and the deep theological questions that emerge from them.
The conference will be held at the Orient Palace Hotel in Bethlehem, Palestine from May 26th to 30th. For more information, click here.
NCCMR Symposium | July 6th-7th, 2026 | Amman, Jordan
The Network of Centers for Christian-Muslim Relations (NCCMR) hosts an annual symposium organized in rotation between countries in Africa, Asia, and the Middle East and North Africa (MENA) region. The event gathers world experts in the domain of Christian-Muslim relations. This year’s symposium, “The Future of Christian-Muslim Relations: Prospects and Challenges,” will be held under the patronage of HRH Prince al-Hassan bin Talal of Jordan at the Royal Institute for Inter-Faith Studies in Amman.
The NCCMR seeks to equip leaders with rigorous academic resources while fostering spaces of dialogue marked by mutual understanding, respect, and collaboration. The ultimate aim is to contribute to a culture of peace and harmony. For more information, click here.
Iniciativa de las Américas para la Transformación y la Reconciliación | 26 al 30 de julio 2026 | Ciudad de Panamá
La Iniciativa de Las Américas para la Transformación y la Reconciliación (IAPTR) nace del deseo compartido de ver un continente marcado por la justicia, la paz y la reconciliación. Es un esfuerzo colaborativo que reúne a organizaciones, comunidades e individuos que, desde diferentes contextos y realidades, creen que un cambio profundo en las Américas no solo es necesario, sino también posible.
Anclada en la convicción de que nuestra fe cristiana nos llama a involucrarnos activamente en la búsqueda de la justicia, la IAPTR crea espacios que promueven la reflexión teológica interdisciplinaria. Asimismo, impulsa iniciativas de formación, intercambio y acompañamiento que fortalecen a líderes comprometidos con el bien común. Más allá de ofrecer recursos, este esfuerzo colaborativo busca caminar junto a quienes sirven en contextos complejos, animándoles y equipándoles para su labor.
Entre las instituciones afiliadas se encuentran el Centro para la Reconciliación de Duke Divinity School, CETI, Memoria Indígena, Tearfund y Peace and Hope International, entre muchas otras que comparten esta visión.
Cada dos años, la IAPTR convoca su Encuentro de Líderes. Allí, líderes de distintos países se escuchan, comparten sus desafíos y aprendizajes, y descubren que no están solos en su labor.
Este año, el Encuentro de Líderes se llevará a cabo en la Ciudad de Panamá del 26 al 30 de julio. Este es un evento por invitación. Para más información, haga clic aquí.
ETS/SBL/AAR Annual Meetings | November 17-24, 2026 | Denver, CO, USA
As always, we look forward to connecting with you at the ETS/IBR/SBL/AAR Annual Meetings, and this year is no exception. The gatherings will take place in Denver, Colorado, from November 17-24.
We’ll have a booth in the Exhibitors Hall throughout the week and will host our reception on Thursday, November 19. We hope you’ll join us. More details coming soon!
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These gatherings remind us that theological leadership is never formed in isolation. It is shaped in community, in dialogue, and, often, in difficult contexts. We’re grateful for the ways these events cultivate wisdom, courage, and hope for the global Church.