A well trained leadership is an essential ingredient for any healthy church.  Pastors and other church leaders need to have a solid understanding of Scripture, doctrine and key theological issues.

The developing Church is often faced with opposition from such diverse quarters as Animism and Islam, along with sub-Christian cults and sects.  Leaders must guide young Christians through the transition from these previous beliefs to a true faith as revealed in Scripture.

How the Bible is understood in Africa can be quite different to Western models of understanding, because of the difference in cultures.  It is necessary for African Christians to contextualise the Gospel and thereby make it relevant and understandable to the culture to which it seeks to reach.

Bible Teaching has been a priority for Mission Africa since our earliest days.  After founding and running several colleges, we have now handed over the ownership of these colleges to the local church.  However, we are still very active in supporting the work of the colleges.

The three areas of ministry we are involved in are:

1. •Providing suitably qualified staff to teach at the colleges;
   

2. •Sponsoring poor students who have proved themselves capable of academic study and qualify for our student sponsorship programme; and
   

3. •Assisting the colleges develop facilities such as buildings, boreholes, libraries and computer facilities.
   

P.A.C.T.
The Peter Achimugu College of Theology (P.A.C.T.) is situated in the large town of Ankpa in Kogi State, Central Nigeria.  Its student body of 70 is drawn from a wide area and reflects the diverse tribal groupings in the central belt of Nigeria.  The mainly African faculty is complemented by Mission Africa staff.  A wide range of subjects are taught including Biblical Studies, Old Testament and New Testament Theology, Homiletics, Pastoral Studies,  Mission and English.

A recent refurbishment programme has upgraded the facilities in the lecture rooms, students quarters, provost's and administrative offices.  Further improvements are planned subject to resources.  It is hoped that P.A.C.T will double the student intake over the next few years.

 

W.W.T.C.
The William Wheatley Theological College (W.W.T.C) is in a rural setting at Azuiyi, Oloko in Abia State.  Set in the forest it provides an idyllic setting for the study of God’s Word.  Although a young institution,  it is rapidly gaining a reputation for the quality of its courses and standards of teaching.

Set on land alongside the QIC/UEC Church, the facilities have being developed to accommodate over 60 students and rapid progress has been made recently with their building programme.

 

T.C.N.N.

We also work in partnership with the Theological College of Northern Nigeria (T.C.N.N).  This is an interdenominational college of 250 students, based in Jos, specialising in primary degree and masters programmes.

Many students have benefited from the excellent programmes provided at T.C.N.N. and have subsequently make a significant contribution to growth and development of the Nigerian church.  Staff accepted for appointment at T.C.N.N. require a PhD, Masters or need to be working towards their doctorate.

J.E.T.S.

Jos E.C.W.A. Theological Seminary (J.E.T.S.) was established in 1980 by the Evangelical Church of West Africa (E.C.W.A.) to train pastors from the middle belt and north of Nigeria.  It has since become one of the most respected seminaries in West Africa.  It has around 250 undergraduate students, 100 postgraduate students and a teaching staff of just over 20.  It offers a range of qualifications from diploma level to the newly established masters and PhD courses.  We currently have two missionaries lecturing at the college.  However, as with the rest of the colleges, more lecturers are needed.

Opportunities

Since the founding of the mission we have placed great emphasis on the teaching and training of Christian ministers and this continues to be a major focus of our work today.

Each of these 4 Bible Colleges are in need of lecturers, to assist in the training of nationals for pastoral ministry.  There are both short and long term opportunities available.  The minimum qualifications are a Degree in theology, BD or BTh plus an MTh or better. In some circumstances, we can accept those holding undergraduate qualifications only. We will admit those holding a first class honours degree in theology onto our Theological Lecturers Development Scheme.

For further information about teaching at the Bible Colleges please contact Jane at info@missionafrica.org.uk

Prayer

1. •Management of a large institution is always difficult. Please pray for wisdom for those in charge to make good decisions and to prioritise the limited resources wisely.
   Please pray for the students as they study long hours with few study materials. 
   

2. •Pray that when they graduate the students will be fully equipped to preach God’s word.
   

3. •Pray for the teaching staff that they may be able to effectively communicate biblical truth to their students.
   

4. •Pray for new missionary lecturers to come forward to teach at each of the colleges alongside the Nigerian lecturers.
   

5. •Pray for adequate resources to send new lecturers to these colleges.
   

 

Sponsor a Student

Some of the students come from poor areas where it is difficult for them to raise the fees to attend bible college.
Why not consider sponsoring a student through our student sponsorship programme?  Contact the office for more information.

“Throughout Africa Colleges are crying out for qualified, committed staff who are able to correctly handle the Word of God and who are equipped to teach the truth and fundamentals of Christianity.  In these colleges the teachers, mostly Nigerian, are heavily overworked and crying out for assistance from overseas.  Is there no one who will give even just one year to teach the historic Biblical faith in colleges where we are training the next generation of Church leaders?”
Former Principal, theological college in Nigeria.