2025-2026 Faculty Research Grants

Pavel Zubkov (Practical & Applied Theology) and 
Boubakar Sanou (World Mission). 

Conversion from the Orthodox Church to Adventism.

Dual allegiance, a phenomenon where individuals simultaneously adhere to multiple religious practices, is prevalent across the globe. Often, individuals turn to these practices when their primary religion fails to address their existential needs (physical, emotional, and social, etc.). In Angola, the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church has encountered significant challenges in providing theological and missiological guidance to members who practice dual allegiance in a form of witchcraft, protection from evil spirits, witch doctors, and divination. They resort to witch doctors to heal them from maladies that conventional medicine seems unable to solve. They look for divination practices to help them understand the unseen causes of their misfortune. Therefore, understanding the motivations behind dual allegiance in the Angolan SDA Church is crucial. To address this complex issue, this research aims to explore the phenomenon from an insider perspective and develop effective theological and missiological strategies.

To gain a deeper and comprehensive understanding of the phenomenon of dual allegiance, the study will also utilize empirical evidence. A qualitative multiple case study methodology will involve individuals who have practiced dual allegiance (identified through research gatekeepers), as well as church administrators, district pastors, and village headmasters. The findings will provide valuable theological, socio-cultural, and missiological insights for the SDA Church in Angola and globally. As a result of this study, a book will be published reflecting the multifaceted nature of dual allegiance within the Seventh-day Adventist Church and providing practical insights and strategies for addressing it within the SDA Church in the SID and beyond.