Again and again, Scripture warns us about spiritual counterfeits. Believers are in danger from those who intentionally bring “another Jesus…a different spirit…or a different gospel” (2 Cor. 11). The Apostle Paul warns: “See to it that there is no one who takes you captive through philosophy and empty deception” (Colossians 2). Such deceivers come as “wolves in sheep’s clothing” (Matthew 7), and they “disguise themselves as servants of righteousness” (2 Corinthians 11). Peter describes them as “untaught,” “unstable,” and “unscrupulous” people who deliberately—and destructively—“distort the Scriptures” (2 Peter 3). He adds: “You, therefore…knowing this beforehand, be on your guard so that you are not carried away by [their] error.”

In most of Africa, denominations and pastors, parachurch ministries and Christian workers, and lay believers lack a robust and reliable source of factually sound, biblically informed information and analysis addressing the wide range of false and defective religious groups posing a constant challenge to the proclamation of the Gospel and the building of the church. Even the most dedicated pastors lack the time, tools, and training to investigate and evaluate the many new and controversial groups that constantly appear on the scene.

In response to this need, in 2010 the Africa Centre for Apologetics Research (ACFAR) was established in Kampala, Uganda.