Program 500 is a visionary initiative of SCS-Africa. Its mission is to equip 500 Christian academics within a five-year period to have a missional and redemptive influence for Christ among their students, colleagues, institutions, and academic disciplines. This program is founded on the understanding that the university is the thought factory of the world—one of the most influential environments on earth. As Scripture says, “As a man thinks, so he is” (Proverbs 23:7). Many of the challenges we face as a people are rooted in the state of our thinking. When our perspectives align with God’s truth, transformation follows. This is where Christian Scholarship comes in.

Christian Scholarship is defined as “the pursuit of truth in the various academic disciplines, guided by the perspective of Christian faith, seeking to understand and interpret the world in light of the truth revealed in scripture and the world itself” (Wolterstorff, 2014, p.45). It involves approaching one’s discipline through biblical lenses, bringing a redemptive paradigm to bear on knowledge, research, and practice.

While intellectuals shape the world, many Christians—especially African Christians—have not fully embraced this calling. If we are to take our rightful place in the world, we must intentionally build the capacity of Christian scholars and implement strategies to multiply their impact. Africa possesses a rich heritage that, when interpreted from a redemptive viewpoint by Christian scholars, can greatly benefit the global community. This will require a pursuit of God’s truth, rejecting superstition and falsehood, and proclaiming His truth through research, teaching, and service. Only the Christian scholar is uniquely positioned to fulfill this role with integrity and purpose.