Leadership Training in Kawambwa

What an amazing weekend! Leaders were gathered from 10 churches, some men biking 150kms to attend the training. We were able to give out a small booklet on eldership that the Bible School staff have translated into Bemba (written by John MacArthur). The issues in this booklet are the very issues that the Bible School staff have identified as necessary in training up leaders from these village church areas. Donald, Levy & Francis shared the teaching and there were great times of questions as the men shared the issues and problems they face in setting biblical standards in their churches.

We also had the privilege of sitting with five recent graduates of the Bible School. We were able to pass on Bemba Bibles to help them in their ministries and also a Study Bible each which will enhance the work that they do. They get little financial assistance from their own churches (an area of teaching we have been working on with the elders) but still remain very active in the ministry. They are involved with two church plants in the Kawambwa area as well as teaching and various ministries in their local churches. Transport is often a difficulty with only one of them having a bicycle to travel the distances between churches so they have to walk. They report that people are open to hear the gospel and they actively involve themselves in evangelism.

 Donald & Francis in Training Mode

The graduates reported that the training that they received at Samfya Bible School has been a significant help to them in their churches. Many of them commented on the confidence they had gained in studying the Bible and then teaching it to their people (the expository teaching classes have had excellent input). Before raining they had little confidence and were in some ways timid. Praise God that the school is equipping these people for their service in the churches. They also commented on how the agricultural training has helped them become a little more financially secure which assists them as they go away on frequent ministry trips.

We had a private meeting with elders from these graduates churches and without fail they reported how well these graduates were working and how much they fitting in with their leaders and willingly working with them. They can see how the training has blessed these graduates and they have very encouraged by the teaching that they have been providing. They are so impressed by the work that they have identified 6 potential students for the 2013 year and also want to send one student back to do further training when the second year programme begins. We are arranging to send three boxes of Bibles that will be sold to the church families in Kawambwa, the proceeds then going to help sponsor these six new students.

Thank you for your continued prayers for these workers in the gospel. They have little in material terms, however they are rich in spiritual terms as they live out God’s calling in their lives.

 The hospitality was fantastic!

We also had a meeting with a group of evangelists who are also helping with one of the church plants, but have a passionate desire to get out and do more in reaching new areas for Christ. Their challenges are financial and the Bible School staff tried to help them think through how local community resources could be rallied to encourage their desires. There are also other good models of local churches working together to send out evangelist teams – please pray that they will continue to step out in faith to preach the gospel.