African Christian University (ACU) was founded on the vision of seeking knowledge that is ultimately established in God’s grand narrative of scripture. ACU seeks not only to reform education on Christ, but also to develop a uniquely indigenous, whole-life transforming, mentor-based education. ACU's goal is to direct the unregenerate to Christ the Saviour, mature them in a Bible-authoritative passion and equip them with biblical discernment to grow in the knowledge of God through a breadth of academic disciplines and technical vocational training.
Map of Africa, highlighting the continent's need for gospel-centered education.
The Genesis of ACU
Since the 1980s, Christ has been building a church planting movement in Zambia, initially through the ministry of Lusaka Baptist Church under the leadership of Pastor Joe Simfukwe. The first generation of Believers solidified under the Reformed Baptist Churches of Zambia predominantly through the developing leadership of Pastors Conrad Mbewe and Ronald Kalifungwa. During the 2000s this young Reformed Baptist movement in Zambia began developing elementary education endeavors from a Biblical worldview.
In 2006 a missionary, Dr. Ken Turnbull, moved from the USA to the neighboring country of Mozambique for church planting work. He had left a tenured position as an Organic Chemistry Professor at the University of Arkansas with his wife and five children, and while learning the culture and language in Mozambique began formulating a vision for higher education from a Biblical worldview in Africa throughout 2007-2008. This became a vision for African Christian University (ACU) - a Christian higher education in all of the humanities and sciences including a Seminary and a highly practical component through a student labor program.
Near the same time, Mr. John Chundu, a banker and member of Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, approached his pastor, Dr. Conrad Mbewe, with a vision for a student outreach ministry through university preparatory courses (called “A-levels”). By December, 2008 these separate visions were combined in the Lord’s providence through a meeting between the elders of four Reformed Baptist Churches in Lusaka and Dr. Turnbull. It was at this meeting that the vision was agreed upon for starting ACU under the authority of the Reformed Baptist Church Association of Zambia (REBCAZ, Chaired by Pr. Ronald Kalifungwa).
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Leadership and Development
Since 2009 a Board presently chaired by John Chundu was set up in Lusaka to direct ACU’s development, and non-profit organizations were established in the United States (Chaired by Pr. Dan Pentimone) and in South Africa (Chaired by Pr. Irving Steggles) to help support the ACU work. In 2013 Dr. Conrad Mbewe was appointed as the first Chancellor, and Dr. Ken Turnbull as the Vice-Chancellor. In 2015 Dr. Voddie Baucham accepted the position of Dean of the ACU Seminary. In 2015 the establishment of a non-profit support organization in the UK was also initiated (Chaired by Pr. Barry King). ACU’s initial academic program, the Scholars Programme, began in March, 2016.
The ACU School of Theology, dedicated to providing sound, gospel-centered theological education.
Distinctive Features of ACU
Biblical Foundation and African Context
The first years of all ACU degree programs lay a biblical foundation using a semi-classical education approach, incorporating an African cultural context while simultaneously emphasizing the cultural mandate fulfilled in Christ’s redemption. ACU is also a distinctly African University. ACU strives to contextualize all of our teaching and mentoring with that reality in mind. Most of the faculty is African (most Zambian, but also Kenyan and South African). All of ACU's courses are expected to have an emphasis and application oriented toward Africa.
Student Labor Programme (SLP)
The Student Labour Programme (SLP) at African Christian University (ACU) is an integral component to whole-life, Christian-worldview education. The SLP has been envisioned for many reasons related to Christian discipleship. ACU has a Student Labor Program (modeled after the early days of Booker T. Washington’s Tuskegee Institute). This also means that mentoring is a key to ACU's approach.
Mentorship and Discipleship
Each student in our program is assigned a faculty mentor with whom they spend an hour each week in group mentoring. In the first year, they meet in a small group (perhaps 3-5 students to a single faculty member), but by their last year, this mentoring is one-on-one. That means each ACU senior is spending an hour per week in one-on-one mentoring with a full faculty member!
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ACU is developed on the concept that theory without application only effects the intellect (resulting in pride), not the heart (leading to humility in Christ). Therefore, the campus is to become as self-sufficient as possible through integration of practical works, or "intelligent labor," where students are being discipled, applying the principles of God's Word and the things being covered in coursework through work-study opportunities in developing outreach opportunities, church-assisted ministries, industry, research projects, social and governing organisations and a self-sustaining campus environment while learning various trades, industrial arts, ministry and technical skills.
Interdisciplinary Approach
By promoting the unity and development of individuals in varying study disciplines, interdisciplinary applications and technical vocations, ACU prepares students to excel throughout and for their entire lives. The goal of ACU is to equip every student through a mentor-cohort approach with the basic truths, knowledge and abilities that allow learning and advancement of skills individually and in unity with others in any discipline of study, interdisciplinary application or technical vocation.
Biblical Discernment
Applying biblically-based discernment to studies across history, cultures and disciplines allows for flourishing of grammar, rhetoric and logic skills. Biblical discernment practiced through studies across history, cultures and disciplines sharpens grammar, rhetoric and logic skills to the highest academic standards. Based on Hebrews 5:13-14, ACU's goal is to bring those regenerated in Christ back through the full exposure to God's Word, followed by further developing their theological understanding and biblical worldview, with a constant view towards developing their ability to rightly handle the Word to discern the depraved from the divine.
Academic Programs
Although ACU includes a divinity school that trains pastors and chaplains as part of its offerings, it is also a Christian University. Our initial courses are in Agriculture, Business, Education, and Theology.
ACU students engaged in learning and community.
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The Need for Gospel-Centered Education in Africa
The need for sound, gospel-centered, indigenous theological education in sub-Saharan Africa is as great as the continent is vast, and the ACU School of Divinity will help meet that need. The ACU School of Divinity is a purposeful undertaking with the potential to advance the cause of Christ on both a local and global scale.
Churches here don’t just need trained pastors. They need trained people; Christians who apply their Christianity to every area and sphere of life. As such, we simply cannot afford to continue to train pastors in Bible Colleges while every other African Christian is trained in a secular, humanistic (probably UN funded) institution that undermines the cause of Christ. We must “take every thought captive to obey Christ” (2 For.
From the political perspective, the solution to Africa’s plight of corruption and poverty is through education, specifically higher education. The routine importation of Western-style higher education has already demonstrated that corruption remains prevalent. Those who have been regenerated in Christ know that it is only the Gospel of Jesus Christ that is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Rom 1:16).
However, as an avenue by which the Gospel can be presented, higher education may very likely be the most open door to Africa before the church today. This is the goal of African Christian University (ACU): to know and exalt God in the pursuit of all truth via every avenue available. Through this ever-maturing relationship with God, students can turn their talents and education toward improving and developing their communities where cultural transformation of Africa can occur as Christ works through them.
Board of Directors
- Rev., D.Min. Dan Pentimone
- Tim Connor
- Gary Godwin
- Willis (Bill) R. Hull III
Supporting the Mission of ACU
There are several ways you can help support the mission of ACU. These donations can be earmarked to be used for a student in any of the areas of study you choose. Alternatively, you can contact us and we can provide you with a list of students who are in need of support, and you can direct funds specifically to them. Or, you can simply reach out to us and we can provide more detailed information about some of the key areas where the university could use the most help.
ACU is committed to championing common values that are hallmarks of Christian character in our given cultural context. The goal of ACU is to use a mentored approach to equip every student with the basic truths, knowledge, and abilities that allow learning and advancement of skills on both the individual and community levels.
Perhaps you are a Christian practicing a construction trade, farming or business and have a passion to disciple others in the Christian life through your work. We are seeking those who are well-practiced in living out their Christian worldview in the way they apply their craft.
