In July 2009 Berea Bible College in the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) will produce its first graduates after three years of study!
AOMF has seen some remarkable progress at the Bible College since its beginning less than three years ago. Buildings of learning have replaced thick bushland; a new syllabus has been implemented with a complement of a competent staff.
However the most substantial progress has been made to the lives and ministries of the students at Berea.
One student, Selemani – with his wife Shambua – come from an area which is predominantly Muslim. Many of Selemani's extended family are Muslim and before they married Selemani and Shambua also followed the Islam faith.
Prior to coming to Bible College Selemani had not been in the Anglican Church for long but had some experience as a lay reader in the church. When we first met Selemani he was a keen young man, but quite apprehensive at the idea of studying in the midst of another tribal group.
Almost three years later he has matured both personally and in the Lord and has developed many ministry skills. The Bishop is confident he will be the first ordained Anglican person from his tribe.
But it is not only the students that the Berea Bible College delivers its ministry to. For the last year of the course the wives of the students come to the College to complete a one year program. This program assists wives to learn more about the Bible and prepare them for their role in supporting their minister husbands.
When Selemani's wife, Shambua, arrived she was uncomfortable in the College environment. It was all very new to her. She was illiterate, had very little Christian training and was not comfortable being with women of another tribe. After only three months, the change in Shambua was enormous!
The literacy classes she attended enabled her to make the first steps in reading her Bible. She felt more confident in class discussions about the Bible and, through the love and acceptance of the other women, she felt like a full member of the community.
AOMF has seen some remarkable progress at the Bible College since its beginning less than three years ago. Buildings of learning have replaced thick bushland; a new syllabus has been implemented with a complement of a competent staff.
However the most substantial progress has been made to the lives and ministries of the students at Berea.
One student, Selemani – with his wife Shambua – come from an area which is predominantly Muslim. Many of Selemani's extended family are Muslim and before they married Selemani and Shambua also followed the Islam faith.
Prior to coming to Bible College Selemani had not been in the Anglican Church for long but had some experience as a lay reader in the church. When we first met Selemani he was a keen young man, but quite apprehensive at the idea of studying in the midst of another tribal group.
Almost three years later he has matured both personally and in the Lord and has developed many ministry skills. The Bishop is confident he will be the first ordained Anglican person from his tribe.
But it is not only the students that the Berea Bible College delivers its ministry to. For the last year of the course the wives of the students come to the College to complete a one year program. This program assists wives to learn more about the Bible and prepare them for their role in supporting their minister husbands.
When Selemani's wife, Shambua, arrived she was uncomfortable in the College environment. It was all very new to her. She was illiterate, had very little Christian training and was not comfortable being with women of another tribe. After only three months, the change in Shambua was enormous!
The literacy classes she attended enabled her to make the first steps in reading her Bible. She felt more confident in class discussions about the Bible and, through the love and acceptance of the other women, she felt like a full member of the community.
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