About the Journal
JAATA History
Daniel Berchie (Associate Professor of New Testament, Valley View University, Ghana) and Patrick E. Anani (Rector, Cameroon Adventist University, Cameroon). These scholars, who serve today in various capacities in Africa and around the world, inaugurated the association in May 27, 2007. On this date, the election of the first officers took place: Michael M. Sokupa was elected President. Simon Bwambale occupied the post of Secretary/Treasurer. Daniel K. Bediako was the editor, while Daniel Berchie was the Intellectual Affairs Director.
These doctoral students, who came from various parts of Africa, nurtured AATA's early activities. Under their leadership, the first AIIAS African Theological Forum was held in the then AIIAS Youth Room in August 05, 2007. Several people attended the forum. Significant papers were presented. Following this initiative, the desire to publish the papers discussed during the forum was strong. In 2010, The Journal of AIIAS African Theological Association (JAATA) was established. It is now an online, print, and peer-reviewed journal, edited and reviewed by scholars holding doctoral degrees across Africa and beyond. It is the first student journal, featuring peer-reviewed articles from Adventist institutions around the world. * The purpose of this journal is to foster scholarship contributions primarily among the African and non-African students and academics. So far, several areas of study have been covered: Health, Philosophy, New Testament, Old Testament, Church History, Applied Theology, and Religious Education. Today, the journal totals 07 volumes. It has been evolving into an international academic publication under the leadership of various editors: Etoughe Anani Patrick (2010- 2011), Edwin Payet (2012-2013), and Youssry Guirguis (2014 to 2018). Mxolisi Michael Sokupa, Elisha kwabenaa Marfo, Innocent Gwizo (2018-2019), Youssry Guirguis , Jean-Claude Rukundo Rwarahoze, Elijah Baido (2019-2020).
AATA has been an influential academic center of learning. It has grown under different leaders. Among those who occupied the post of presidency include the following names: Michael Sokupa (2007-2008), Rabak Odek (2009), M. Oluikpe (2010-2011), Segorbe Rodolfo (2012), Patrick E. Anani (2013), Ekoto Christian (2014), Watson Mbiriri (2015-2017), and Innocent Gwizo (2017-2018), Sanned Lubani (2018-2019), Aias Kabaca (2019-2020), Justin Chibomba (2020-2021), Jean-Claude R. Rwarahoze (2021-2022), Mandla Khanye (2022-2023), Foday Sellu (2023-2024). Innocent Tuyishime (2024-2025), Elijah Baido (2025-2026).
At present, AATA is taking a new shape. The Forums have the participation of more scholars and leaders from the African continent. The vision now is to publish two journals each year, a book after each Forum, and write books in honor of distinguished African Adventist scholars who have made significant contributions.
Academic contributions. In the future, AATA hopes to hold a Forum on the continent of Africa. With the strong support of the AIIAS administration, AATA is ready to bear witness to the cardinal values of Adventist academic institutions.
*See the Constitution of AATA, p. 1.
*JAATA was the first student academic journal in the Seventh-day Adventist institutions of higher learning. The Andrews University Seminary Student Journal (AUSSJ), which is another initiative of students from Andrews University, started in 2014, four years after the official launch of JAATA.
Gabriel Masfa, PhD in Church History.
