Empowering Voices: Female Leadership in Theological Education
Wednesday 4 March – Saturday 7 March 2026 | Noora Resort, Bishoftu, Ethiopia
The Pre-GA female leadership training is designed for women serving in theological education, whether as faculty, administrators or emerging leaders—who seek to grow in their leadership capacity. It aims to equip women with practical skills, spiritual encouragement, and a supportive network, empowering them to take on leadership roles with confidence and contribute more effectively to the life and mission of their institutions and the wider church.
PRE-GA LEADERSHIP TRAINING SCHEDULE:
- Wednesday, 4 March 2026
- Arrivals (from 13:00)
- Welcome Dinner (18:00–19:00)
- Thursday, 5 March 2026
- Worship & Devotions (9:00–9:45)
- Soul Care of a Leader I – Dr. Jessy Jaison (9:45–10:45)
- Soul Care of a Leader II – Dr. Jessy Jaison (11:00–12:30)
- The Making of a Leader – Co-taught session (14:30–16:00)
- The Maturing of a Leader – Co-taught session (16:30–18:00)
- Dinner (18:00–19:00)
- Friday, 6 March 2026
- Worship & Devotions (9:00–9:45)
- Building Leadership Values – Dr. Verena Schafroth (9:45–10:45)
- Leading Diverse Teams – Dr. Verena Schafroth (11:00–12:30)
- Transforming Team Conflicts – Dr. Verena Schafroth (14:30–16:00)
- Managing Stress & Building Resilience – Dr. Felicia Priest (16:30–18:00)
- Dinner (18:00–19:00)
- Saturday, 7 March 2026
- Worship & Devotions (9:00–9:45)
- Exploring Board Leadership – Best Practices & Panel (9:45–10:45)
- Strengthening Key Roles in Theological Institutions – Best Practices & Panel (11:00–12:30)
- Convergence & Afterglow – Co-taught (14:30–15:30)
- Learning of the Week, Q&A, Feedback, Closing & Certificates – Dr. Verena Schafroth (16:00–18:00)
- Dinner (18:00–19:00)
- Sunday, 8 March 2026
- Worship Service with Communion (10:00–11:30) : Welcoming all Pre-GA and GA participants
- Departures / Free Time for GA participants
- Arrival of GA participants
SPEAKERS:
Dr. Jessy Jaison, Theological Education Consultant and Training Hub Leader- Mesa Global, South Asia. Jessy Jaison is Training Hub Leader and Theological Education Consultant for Mesa Global South Asia. She previously served as Professor of Practical Theology and Director of Research and Advancement at New India Bible Seminary, Kerala, and has also taught at SAIACS, Bangalore. Holding an MTh from Oxford and a PhD from Queen’s University Belfast, with postdoctoral work in the USA, she brings extensive experience in theological education as an educator, author, and consultant. Her focus is Practical Theology and Theological Education, especially developing training hubs, strengthening church–seminary relationships, and empowering women theological educators. She serves on the Boards of ICETE and ATA’s CAED, and lives in Kerala with her husband, Dr. Jaison Thomas, and are blessed with two sons.
Verena Schafroth (PhD) has worked as a theological educator in South Sudan and Mozambique for many years training pastors for the African church. She gained her B.A. Hons in Applied Theology from Manchester University (UK) and her Master of Theology from Bangor, University of Wales (UK). After her time in South Sudan, she decided to focus on leadership and faculty training and obtained a PhD in Educational Leadership from Columbia International University in the United States of America. She now serves as the ACTEA Engagement Director for Women in Theological Education in addition to supporting ACTEA in the accreditation department and other training initiatives.
Dr. Felicia Chinyere Priest is a dedicated missiologist and educator, holding a PhD in Theology with a specialization in Missions Studies from Africa International University, Kenya. With over twenty years of experience in teaching, research, and mentoring students within higher education, she has made a significant impact in her field. Dr. Priest recently served as the Academic Dean of West Africa Theological Seminary in Lago and has extensive missionary experience across West and East Africa. Driven by a commitment to develop transformative leaders for the church and society, her research interests include conversion to Islam in sub-Saharan Africa, witchcraft accusations, and gender issues. She currently teaches undergraduate and graduate programs at International Leadership University, Nairobi.
