Extension Programmes in Discipleship in Rural Churches

Wathabu Simfukwe who is the principal of Samfya Bible School is a man that is continually thinking about the rural church and the effectiveness of the training being given to students at the school. His desire is to see real spiritual growth in the lives of people in these rural areas. To this end, the bible school now runs extension programmes in these rural churches.

These programmes are basic discipleship training. Over 10 months, one weekend each month, intensive training occurs with people from surrounding churches, lead by a Bible School staff member. Usually there are 30-50 people in each group being trained. Then in year two, graduates of the school take the training further with these people and the desire is to see this discipleship spreading through their churches.

What an excellent means of seeing depth growing in these church communities. Fenton Park Bible Church is supporting one of these initiatives in Kulundu this year. The graduates of these classes are also becoming potential full time students at Samfya, the extension programme identifying those who are called and gifted for further equipping for ministry.

The photos are of a student group graduating from a programme at Kundafumu, and of Sam Mululu who is the principle teacher of the extension programmes (another staff member is needed for this next year to help ease the load). Interestingly, the Bible School cannot keep up with the demand from areas wanting extension programmes. Please contact me if you or your church would be interested in supporting this type of ministry.

Farm Site for Development

With sleep eluding me for most of the night (yes Robert & I are back after a marathon 42 hours returning home) I have been thinking of other aspects to share about our time away. One of the desires of Samfya Bible School staff is that the school continue to do what it can to become more self sufficient in its ministry. Any of you who know about Bible Schools will understand that they need sponsorship to help them, however it is a good thing to be as self supporting as possible.

To this end, we visited the site of an 18ha property that the school owns that is about 24kms from the Bible School and is right on the edge of a village area. This property has the potential to produce all of the food needed for the students every year and also earn a small amount of income. To enable this to happen however will require a small investment of capital. This would provide a perimeter fence (2 metres high square mesh) and a low cost bore with solar pump for water. The costing on this is still being done. Initially there would be a stock of meat goats acquired to breed and provide income, but the property would be used for maize production (staple diet), sweet potato, vegetables etc

This project may be the focus of a short term team next year. The perimeter fence is needed in terms of security for this remote site and eventually a full time farmer would be on site as well. Principal Wathabu Simfukwe has a background in agriculture and is overseeing the possibilities of this project. It would also become part of the training in agriculture given to students who are predominately subsistence farmers, equipping them with better skills to support their families and church ministries. The Photo is of Robert, Wathabu & Peter Chomba (teacher at Samfya) as they look at the site and talk about possibilities and then one of the bush on site.

The Teaching Staff

Here I am with the men that are the backbone to the ministry of Samfya Bible School. Peter, Wathabu (Principal), Sam, Collins & Francis. These men need your prayers and support. They set aside opportunities in life to serve at the Bible School for very low recompense - all for the glory of Christ. With approaching 300 graduates on the field, they have been used by God to see the ministry of rural churches strengthened and blessed. Churches are being planted, people coming to faith, people growing in discipleship - thank you for your faithful support to these men and this ministry. If you would like to learn more about helping this work further, please email me on pastor@fpbc.org.nz

Serenje Church Service & Graduates

Yesterday began with travel at 5am and as we drove we saw the sun rise and then later that day we saw the sun set and we were still driving arriving at our destination in Lusaka around 9:30pm. But it was a great day with a church service at Serenje that began at 9am. We departed after Lunch at 2pm.

I taught from Genesis 3:14-24 on the consequence of sin and the hope of the coming gospel in Christ the one who would bruise the serpents head. A number of people repented at the close of this service, praise the Lord for his grace. After we meet the graduates from this town - there were 8 there and there are another 16 who work in this district. They have been responsible for planting over 19 churches in this region and we were able to encourage them in their work. Please continue to pray for these various graduates who are doing great work for the kingdom of God.

The photos below are of the church, those who responded to the message and the graduates of this place.

Staff Meeting & Staff/Student Meal

Today has been such a blessing - our final full day here at Samfya Bible School. I began with a staff team meeting that reflected on the various times I had with individual staff members during the week. The design of this has been to further enhance the team unity and so I was privileged to bring together various suggestions and offer guidance. It is a total honour and joy to help these men of God and to be partners with them in the gospel. Please pray for them. Without their work the excellent inroads into village/rural life would not be possible. The photo below is of the teachers Peter, Joseph (Admin), Wathabu (Principal), Sam, Collins, Francis.

The day ended with a feast shared with the students and staff of the Bible School. It was a great occasion that began with singing and dance to the Lord (with typical Zambian Joy) and a delicious meal. Being honoured guests we were given the gizzards of the chicken which tasted good! What a blessing to share with these precious saints, staff and students and to see how God is working through this ministry to equip leaders for His kingdom work - please pray for them.

Tomorrow we depart at 5am to arrive at church in Serenje for the morning service. We will also take time to meet another group of graduates and promote the school further in this town in the Central Province (our third province meeting graduates). We will be home in New Zealand later this week.

Chapel Service, Sunrise...

23 June - Live from Samfya Bible School Chapel service. Singing together, a choir bringing praise to God, and the student body is given opportunity to teach during the course of the year. Today Rodgers Mwamba is teaching from Colossians 1:28-2:5.

What a blessing to see the application of the training being worked out through these weekly chapel times. Please pray for these students as they are equipped to return to church life in their village areas. Graduation is in October.

23 June - The sun rises over Lake Bangweulu, Samfya, Zambia

22 June - Greetings all - I would value your prayers as I continue to meet individually with the staff of Samfya Bible School and help them further develop the unity that they have together as a group and thereby enhance the effectiveness of their ministry. My discussions have been fueled through a session I lead with them on our oneness and the unity of the Spirit. I have had valuable sessions thus far and the intent is to have a final staff time together on Saturday.

Robert continues to work on maintenance needs, especially plumbing challenges as well as drawing information together on the potential farm project.

Tonight we visit a local family to have a meal with them, Peter & Patricia Tembo.

Student Body 2017

Students body of 2017 - Samfya Bible School, Zambia- please pray for their learning and application of truth as they head back to their rural/village churches in October. Eight of these students are completing the second year programme.