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.

 

Visiting the Bible School Farm

Today we visited a 18ha farm block that the Bible School owns. This block is not currently farmed and runs down to a dambo area. Robert is trying to crunch the numbers to see how a goat farm can be established in this area. It would require fencing as there is a village on its boarder and theft/encroachment is an issue. It could most likely support at least 250 breeding animals and provide a good income source for the Bible School. Here are some pictures of the site

Robert has been doing plumbing in the guest house today and Donald has had extended staff meetings with the teachers and will be meeting further with the teachers individually to provide pastoral care and encouragement of their work. The desire is to encourage and help the unity of the team who are doing a good work in trying circumstances.

Photos from new construction at the school

Here are some new buildings for your interest:

This is a staff house completed last year for Peter & Jennifer Chomba. Peter is the longest serving teacher at the school having served here since the year 2000. This house was funded by a donor in New Zealand.

Currently under construction are a block of three units for single staff or couples without children. These are needed now for two current staff and a potential new member next year. The steel window frames have been made with welding done on site, in jandals and using sun glasses for eye protection (even though there is a mask here to use!!

The nearly complete chapel being built by the English speaking church on the Bible School property. The Bible School will be able to use this facility for chapel services and special meetings. A real blessing!

The impressive new entry gate to the property that brings security. There is huge foot traffic that goes past every day and the school has had problems with theft, so this is a big help.

No this is not a baptistery but rather a water reservoir that Robert had resurfaced. The water is used to water the gardens. Using this system cuts watering down from 6 hours per day to 3 hours!!

Robert and Gabriel repairing the power connection to the classroom block and the front gate. A joiner had seperated and a new section of cable is being put in.

Rejoicing at God's Provision

Greetings all. Just a big thank you to for all the support that is coming in from NZ. So far $7500 has been forwarded for Bibles, Bikes & some tents for church planting ministries. Wow!! God is good! Yesterday sitting with Wathabu & Peter (the principal and senior teacher at the school), we discussed the application of these resources. They are very strategic in where and when these are passed out to the graduates - we have full confidence in their leadership. We also discussed the need of evangelists/church planters to pass on some gospel text to the newly saved and some of the money has been given specifically for purchasing Gospels of John that can be left with these new converts. These gifts are a huge blessing but the needs are also huge and we need to see ongoing steady support for these things.

Today there is some general maintenance to do around the property, we will visit the Bible School farm block for Robert to evaluate the possibilities with this land, and Donald will be having a time with all the teaching staff to encourage and help them in the team ministry that they are called to.

We value your ongoing prayers.

Life at the fish market!!

Back at Samfya

Hi all, we are just back in Samfya after our week away. Praise God that people have donated $5000 so far to support bibles and bikes for these precious fellow saints in their ministries. You can support through Fenton Park Bible Church or private message Donald.

The church we were just with was in Luwingu. Donald preached to an elders and deacons and deaconess group on Saturday - two sessions, and them one general session this morning, where Robert also gave his testimony. This area is being targeted as a place where students need to be drawn from to strengthen the over 40 churches in the area. It may also become a place where an extension programme in discipleship can be implemented. Here is a picture from the church service today - sorry for the poor light

Back in Samfya

I am back in Zambia with Robert Cave from my church in Rotorua. We have had a number of technical issues this time round and have not been able to post until now, 10 days after arriving. The following posts are ones I have uploaded on facebook and I trust will help you as you continue to pray for this work.

11 June: Today took us to Milambo Church in Chinsanka, approximately 70 kms from Samfya which was close to two hours drive each way. The church has been established in 2014 and there were over 300 in attendance at the morning service, including many children. It was a blessing to share the gospel and encourage the saints. Meeting afterward over lunch, we were also encouraged to hear that there are three prospective students for the Bible School, which is one aim of these visits. Tomorrow begins a week long adventure on the road where we will visit many graduates, churches and local Christians. We will have 26 boxes of bibles for distribution to these needy church families. Thanks for your prayers. Internet is proving a challenge, but we will try and make posts when able.

14 June: Well we are only three days in to visiting churches and graduates of Samfya Bible School and we are humbled by the reception and overwhelmed by the needs. We have been to churches in Milambo, Chembe, Muombe and Mansa. News students are being identified for the Bible School with many application forms having been taken for the coming year. Graduates are being met who are rejoicing in their faith and in the work that God has given – some are struggling with the challenges, but what a joy to see people devoted to the gospel, to church planting and local church ministry in all its forms.

It was sobering to hear one graduate speaking on behalf of a group of six talking about the need for Bibles as they evangelise. To see someone come to faith and not be able to get the word of God into their hands to help them grow is a great challenge. Bibles are expensive here around NZ$20 each, and while we are distributing boxes to these graduates, the needs are more than what we can supply. In Muombe church where there were well over 250 people, only 17 had bibles and this is the same in all these places. We really need 1000’s of bibles for this ministry – please pray for us in this need.

The graduates in these areas are doing a lot of ministry in other churches and working together in church planting ministries in remote areas. The only reliable transport to these places are bicycles, and while some graduates do have them they are worn out and need replacement, and many do not own one and must rent a bike to go out on church work (money they can ill afford). Bicycles only cost NZ$100 – Fifty bicycles now would be a real help to these hard working church leaders.

We could carry on with the need for tents for missions, sleeping bags, megaphones, orphan care, Christian books…

This ministry is making a big difference in many rural places. Please pray with us and if you want to support the needs contact Donald Stevenson by email pastor@fpbc.org.nz
On Saturday we also attended the graduation of 26 local church people from the area of Kundufumu. These people completed an extension programme over 12 months on discipleship. They will continue next year with another 12 months training which will bless their local churches as they learn the principles of being and making disciples. From these people there are those identified that would be good candidates for attending the bible school.

Tomorrow we travel further north up the side of the Luapula River and will meet with graduates from the area as well as in DR Congo. Thanks for your interest and prayers.

15 June: Today we traveled north to Kashiba area and meet with another 12 graduates from Samfya. Donald had a session of encouragement to theses students and then a general session to the church. We distributed 6 boxes of Bibles, a number which will be taken back to the Democratic Republic of Congo with the four graduates from there.

Tomorrow we will have another general session with these graduates and the gathered church family before setting off for Kawambwa - the tea plantation area of Zambia. We are expected there by 2pm, however getting away without being fed lunch by the church is near impossible! All good on Zambian time here however!

Donald & Robert managed a swim in the Luapula River on the way north today - it was a hot day and the swim refreshing. Peter Chomba polietly declined and thought we were nuts to be swimming in the winter!

Four Congo Graduates

15 June: I send this picture as I sit across from these graduates and hear the challenges that they face. They are church planting and working in various church ministries and I have tears in my eyes as the simple needs of Bibles and bicycles is what would make a huge difference to their ministries. When I look at the affluence that we live with in the West I am convicted and saddened that I have not done more - 1 John teaches us clearly of our need to help brothers and sisters in need.

17 June: Hi all. We couldn't post last night due to lack of reception way out in the back blocks - a place called Kapemfu. We met with 8 graduates and the same needs are presented time and time again - Bibles, Bicycles, literature... The graduates each received bibles for their various churches. They work among 26 churches and have planted 3 recent churches - they are faithful workers often participating together in teams.

The other photo here is of a graduate with a young couple from his church. They desperately want to go to Samfya for training but have not been able to afford to go. We were fortunate to have an extra box of Bibles that they will sell to their church members and that will supply all their costs for the one year programme plus some transport.

We are now at Luwingu and Donald has been doing a leadership seminar for leaders from many surrounding churches. We are promoting the Bible Schools work that is so needed in raising the level of Bible understanding and application in these rural areas. Tomorrow we have Sunday morning services and then head back to Samfya in the afternoon.

ps. I know of $1000 that has been donated to Bibles and Bikes - praise the Lord for his goodness.