In March 2025, a team from Relay Trust travelled to Albania to attend the ICETE C-25 Conference, one of the world’s leading gatherings of evangelical theological educators. Doug Ingram (COO), Daniel Magagnin (Regional Relationship Manager), and Shumi Kupara (our chief administrator) joined more than 600 delegates from across the globe.
For Relay Trust, this was a time not just to represent, but to listen. We came to learn from others, formal and non-formal educators alike, exploring how theological training is changing, how it remains rooted in local cultures, and how it might best serve the global Church.
The event included a number of great workshops which touched on themes close to our heart: orality in theological education, contextualisation, accreditation, and organisational culture. Each session offered both encouragement and challenge. Some presenters pushed for a complete break from Western academic models; others offered practical, humble wisdom born of years in the field. We were reminded again that discipleship is about connection, participation, and transformation.
A key focus was the growing importance of orality-based learning. While Relay Trust remains committed to literacy for congregational and parish leaders, we also recognise the power of story, drama, and dialogue, especially in communities shaped by oral traditions. These tools are not second best; they are deeply biblical, and often more effective in places where written texts don’t speak as clearly.
Alongside the learning, the team also got to know some amazing people. We met with educators from across Africa, Asia, and the Americas. We deepened connections with friends like George Whitefield College and the Global Training Network, and began conversations with others working to align training with local church mission.
Though some of our African partners were unable to attend due to visa issues, our team engaged fully. Each member is now part of ongoing working groups exploring theological development. As we grow, we hope more of our regional team can participate—both to learn and to contribute.
Attending ICETE reaffirmed a core belief of Relay Trust that theological education must always serve the Church. It must be culturally grounded, biblically faithful, and open to the Spirit’s leading. Our task is not to impose but to walk alongside, helping leaders grow in wisdom, not just knowledge.
Please pray for this unfolding journey, that the global Church might continue to raise up leaders shaped not by systems, but by the gospel of Christ—and ready to serve His people, in every culture and every tongue.
