CBE partnered with GEMA to host an international conference, “Truth Be Told,” on September 14 – 17, 2016 at Rhema Bible Church in Johannesburg, South Africa.
“Truth Be Told” laid a biblical foundation for equal respect, service, and authority for men and women, empowering local leaders to positively impact the families, churches, and communities they serve.
The conference’s theme was based on verse John 8:32, “Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free,” (TNIV) and the event featured many world-renowned speakers—watch or listen here.
To view the kickoff event, you can visit GEMA’s YouTube channel.
“Religion offers the most exalted and irreproachable voice shaping gender relations in cultures around the world. Yet CBE has found that when religious authorities exhibit equal value and extend males and females equal opportunities for service and leadership, their communities are more likely to resist gender-based violence.”
—Dr. Mimi Haddad, CBE president
Experts in South Africa agree:
“Church leaders are part of the problem in terms of enforcing norms and beliefs that tend to marginalize women and girls—this conference opens up the prospect of looking at things differently: Church leaders and their congregations can turn the tide of gender injustice.”
—Maclean Dlodlo, World Vision
“South Africa has the right laws in place, but society is still patriarchal. Government, business and humanitarian agencies are ahead of the church. Religious leaders are social gatekeepers and therefore have enormous influence. So deeply entrenched is patriarchy in our society that our government has begun calling on faith leaders to join forces with them.”
—Pastor Xana McCauley, Rhema Bible Church and founder of GEMA
