Interested in the Wilberforce Academy for 2026?

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What is the Wilberforce Academy?

The Wilberforce Academy is a training programme in the practical application of a Biblical worldview in all areas of life and culture, both private (family, church, friendships) and public (work, study, political and social engagement, etc). It is about equipping and empowering believers to stand for and serve Jesus in a variety of vocations, including law, politics, public service, education, healthcare, media, entertainment, creative arts, ministry and business.

The Academy will commence with an intensive, structured residential week in January 2026, followed by on-going community-building and equipping by way of three quarterly Refocus days throughout the year.

Why the Wilberforce Academy?

Our generation is faced with very real social, cultural and political struggles, flowing from diverging views about the nature of reality, human identity and societal flourishing (the common good). As followers of Christ, a major part of the challenge is: How to engage with our fellow man, and with the secular philosophies and ideologies that hold sway over the minds and hearts of individuals, and over prevailing cultures in communities and nations.

As we observe the moral decline around us and its inevitable destructive impacts on society, questions about the Biblical mandate and Christian response abound. How are we to be salt and light and stand up for truth in the world and times that we live in?

To find Biblical answers to some of these burning questions, we will come together to explore what the Word of God teaches and how we are to love our neighbour and advocate for Biblical truth in a fallen world.

Programme, speakers and more…

Click here for the Academy Week brochure which gives an overview of the programme and speakers.

A key feature of the Academy week is the application groups for daily reflection in group discussions. Delegates become members of one of our vocational peer groups:

– Church and pastoral/family ministry

– Economics, business and finance

– Education

– Healthcare

– Media, arts and entertainment

– Politics, law and public service

– Science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM)

'Wilberforce Academy First Refocus Day 2025 - Christian Politics: Left, Right, or Christ?'

Special report by Clarina van Ieperen

As political tides shift globally, many believers are asking: Where should Christians stand? Should we align with the Left—often associated with progressive and socialistic policies—or the Right, which champions conservatism and nationalism? Or does Christ call us to an entirely different way of engaging in the political sphere? These were some of the questions tackled at the first Refocus Day of 2025.

'Christians from five Southern African nations equipped at 2025 Wilberforce Academy SA'

Special report by Embeth du Toit and Ryan Smit

From January 19 to 24 a group of about 90, including 60 delegates, 18 faculty and 12 team members, gathered at the beautiful Beloftebos (Forest of Promise) near Stanford, Western Cape, for the third annual Wilberforce Academy South Africa.

Wondering what the Academy Week is like?