Lusaka Bible College

Location: Lusaka, Zambia

Timeline: On-going

Status: Currently operating

Topics: Christian education for church leadership

Description

Lusaka Bible College offers evening classes so that the pastors can improve themselves and study for the ministry after hours. Because most of the pastors in Africa have no formal training at all, this in-service-training is ideally suited to Africa, offering an opportunity for these pastors to learn. Most of the students already have church responsibilities, so Lusaka Bible College is providing leadership training through evening lectures for those who are already doing the work of pastors and evangelists, as well as a lighted place where pastors of the area can study and prepare to shepherd their flocks.

The Need

Kanyama Township is a poor, informal settlement on the outskirts of Lusaka, Zambia. They have a population of over 300 000, people who are ministered to by 160 churches, but only 2 of the pastors in Kanyama have had any formal Bible college training. In general, books are hard to come by in this poor settlement. Due to poverty and lack of availability, owning a Bible is a luxury. The Christian leaders of Kanyama are challenged with accurately interpreting and teaching the Bible to their congregations without proper training or study resources. Kanyama has a tremendous need for further leadership training. They need supporters who are committed to helping them as they seek to obey Paul’s charge to Timothy:

Goals

1. To train, equip and disciple Christian leaders to invest in the township of Kanyama.
2. To expand the college library with quality study materials and theologically sound books.
3. To allow as many of the area pastors to attend classes through scholarships and support.

Needs

1. Funds to build suitable lecture halls. The lectures are currently held in whatever church buildings are available in this very poor community.
2. Funds for scholarships for students’ study in the amount of $80 per year per student. The tuition is about 25% of an average income in the area, and most of the students cannot afford to pay the tuition.
3. Funds to pay the teachers. If the teachers do not get paid, they get discouraged. Since most of the students cannot pay tuition, there is never enough money to pay the teachers.
4. Quality books and study resources to enhance the college library with doctrinally sound materials.

Who’s Involved

1. ITMI to provide oversight and US presence for exposing this ministry to our supporters.
2. The leadership of Lusaka Bible College to oversee the college’s daily mission.
   
   
   
   • Benson Banda, Principal
     

     Benson Banda oversees this small organization, to include fundraising, handling administrative tasks, overseeing the library, and securing local facilities for the college to use for its lectures.

   • Bruce Kaumba

   Trained in Christian community development and in World missions and church planting, Bruce’s vision is to see leaders equipped and trained to reach their communities for Christ.  He is married to Christabel and has one son.  Together, they founded Mobilizing Africans for Missions, which is focused on training and development of church leaders in church planting and development.