The conviction driving the Sabbath in Africa Study Group (SIA) is that a truer depiction of the story of Christianity in Africa is essential to the identity of the Adventist movement in the twenty-first century and to pointing the way forward in a time when one-third of the world church membership are on the African continent, a proportion that is only likely to increase.
SIA purposes to equip followers of Jesus with discernment crucial to the fulfillment of His Great Commission in the twenty-first century by advancing understanding of:
- Africa as an historic center of the Christian faith, in which observance of the seventh-day Sabbath has been pervasive;
- How this history illumines the significance of the present-day explosive growth of Christianity in Africa, particularly African-initiated developments, many characterized by adherence to the biblical Sabbath; and
- How Africa’s reaching out unto God (see Psalm 68:31) in this dramatic way relates to the proclamation of the gospel of the kingdom as a witness to all nations that is the ultimate sign pointing to the return of Jesus (see Matt. 24:14; Mark 13:10).
The Sabbath in Africa Study Group was launched by Charles E. Bradford in 1991 with the purpose of “investigating and documenting historical and contemporary expressions of Sabbath consciousness on the African continent.” Taking up that initiative has resulted in:
- Publication of Dr. Bradford’s book, Sabbath Roots: The African Connection (1999), which has sold more than 20,000 copies;
- Formation of a committee of biblical scholars, historians and other experts to further the agenda;
- Presentation of seven major seminars;
- Publication of additional books and supplementary material.