Deans of NSBI

North Star Bible Institute has its main campus at Kafulafuta. This is where most of our training is done and kind of the epicenter of it all. However, over the years we have realized there are many that would like to be trained but cannot reach our location. In order to meet this need, we have created a few sister campuses. My responsibility is primarily to the work here at Kafulafuta but I am also very involved in providing the necessary materials for these others satellite schools. Bro. White Katota and Bro. Barry Katonga have been laboring diligently for the last couple years to provide quality theological & ministry training. We praise the Lord for their efforts and fruit of their labor. I gave each man a few minutes to speak during the commencement ceremony and each used their time to honor the Lord and highlight how God is doing great things!

Rebuilding

These pictures are from the church I visited on Sunday. Although the church may look a little rough - they are actually in the building or should I say re-building stage. Last year a storm came through and wiped out the entire church. In just about 1 year, they have made some great progress. For the last many months they have met outside under a tree - this Sunday was the first they actually were able to meet inside the building! Praise the LORD!

I preached a message from 2 Peter 1:1-9 concerning the knowledge of God. The pastor (Andrew Mulenga) was greatly encouraged as the Holy Spirit really seemed to speak to the people and challenge them in some of the same areas he had been working on over the months.

Class of 2009

Before going to the graduation hall, we met at the church to pray together, rehearse the schedule of events, and just work out the kinks before we began the day. All of the 12 graduates were thrilled and could hardly contain themselves! Graduating a three year program is a significant accomplishment that is not taken lightly by these Zambian graduates! Some of their testimonies reference the struggles they endured getting to this point but how God showed Himself Faithful!!

A big thank you to Dr. Brado for sending over the graduation gowns/caps and to those that donated and helped get them here!

2009 Graduation Ceremony

This morning we had our 2009 NSBI graduation ceremony. My plan is to put some pictures and video together from the day over the next several days. We had a wonderful day of testimonies, devotions, songs, and overall rejoicing. There were  12 students that completed a 3 year course which includes a study of many books of the Bible, systematic & advanced theology, as well as courses in church history, homiletics, etc. Plus, there were 7 ladies that completed a 1 year course that Mrs. Sarra offered.
As a missionary, this is a real highlight! Knowing that many of these people are more highly equipped to minister, lead, and serve is a joyful experience.

December Marriage Seminar

This week at Kafulafuta we had the second marriage seminar of 2009. The idea was to have one early in the year and a second at the end of the year to act as bookends. We tried to emphasize over 2009 that a strong family can help create a strong church. Zambia certainly is a different culture than my American upbringing, but Biblical principles cross all cultures and are able to produce healthy, quality families. There were not as many at this marriage seminar due to heavy rains and the need to cultivate fields but those that were able to come were blessed and went home excited to build their family and marriage. Please be praying for both the husbands and the wives to do their part in serving each other and training up their children. A healthy family is not something that just happens but something that takes steps each day.