Why Train Students?
Benefits of Training Student Leaders
“Africa is a mile wide in evangelism and an inch deep in discipleship.” I heard this statement in the early 1990’s while visiting Africa for the first time. Since that day, I have heard it literally hundreds of times, and I have seen it firsthand.
On the positive side, Africa is a mile wide in evangelism. What a blessing! In 1900, Evangelicals made up only 1.9% of Africa’s population. By 1990, just ninety years later, that percentage had risen to 13.2. It represents only a seven-fold increase in percentage, but a thirty-fold increase in actual numbers. Many have come to Christ in Africa, and many continue to turn to Him as Savior!
On the negative side, Africa is only an inch deep in discipleship. I have seen this firsthand, also. But why is this the case? Consider a couple of logical reasons, both of which are beyond the control of the African Church.
Consider the rapid growth in conversions throughout the continent. People were hungry for the Gospel. The Holy Spirit was at work in their lives. No Christian would desire for this number to decrease, yet the magnitude of this number created a bottleneck in discipleship. Without adequate discipleship these new converts brought into the African Church non-Christian customs, attitudes and worldviews. Without adequate discipleship there was a profusion of denominations and the ensuing confusion which would be expected. Much of this was beyond the control of the African Church.
Consider the poverty throughout the continent. Africa is the poorest continent, and it’s getting worse by the day. It would only be logical to conclude that the African Church would also be the poorest. Did you know that barely 1% of the world’s earnings are generated in Africa? The typical Christian in Africa is extremely poor! There is a lack of funds for training; there is a lack of funds for full-time workers; there is a lack of funds for buildings; there is a lack of funds for literature. As a matter of fact, the book shortage is so serious, it has been called a book famine. The African Church is poor, really poor!
I am sure there are other reasons for the lack of discipleship, but what should the global Christian church do? We can curse the darkness and do nothing, or we can try to light as many candles as possible. With the Lord’s help, Gospelink has chosen to light a candle.
In 2005, at the request of multiple African preachers, Gospelink started building the International Bible College of Zambia to train Christian young people in the southern quadrant of Africa. Churches and leaders throughout the USA teamed up with hundreds of African churches and leaders to construct a facility that could train 600 students annually. Though the facilities were not finished, classes were started in 2009. A four-year, 120 credit degree in theology was offered. With the continuing help of dozens of American and African teachers, we endeavor to provide thorough, Christian training which will, in time, prepare thousands of young men and women to reach their continent with the truth of God’s Word.
We still have a long way to go. There are buildings to finish, students to enroll, and courses to teach. In time, the Bible college can also be used as a base of operations for other projects, such as distant learning for church leaders, camps, sports clinics, the African Audio Bible, and other spiritual initiatives. 
What’s ultimately at stake? The continent of Africa, with 10% of the world’s population. Even though Africa is a mile wide in evangelism, there is still plenty of work to be done on this continent. Out of the 55 independent nations in Africa, the Evangelical population in ten of them is less than 1%. Of the world’s nearly 4,000 least-reached peoples, over 1,000 of them are in Sub-Saharan Africa. There is still plenty of work to be done!
What about religions in Africa? With 41% of the population, Islam continues to expand daily, attempting to stretch its tentacles around the entire continent. Though tribal religions comprise only 15% of the population, the grip of witchcraft, fetishism, ancestor worship and the fear of spirits is quite substantial. Even indigenous marginal groups and cults, such as Jehovah’s Witnesses, comprise nearly 10% of the total population. There is still plenty of work to be done!
What about the need for Bible translation work? Did you know that Africa is the greatest remaining challenge for Bible translation, with existing openings for missionary translators? Over 40 million Africans speaking 1,200 languages have nothing of the Scriptures. To make matters worse, about 200 million Africans cannot read at all. There is still plenty of work to be done!
There is a need to train young people in God’s truth and to send them across the continent. We believe the International Bible College can help accomplish that purpose. It’s just one candle, but it is a light. And light always dispels the darkness. Educator Paul Hawkins once said, “The Christian Church has a destiny. One of the ways the church will fulfill its God-given destiny in world evangelism is through education. Biblical Christian education must be seen as a significant strategy for world evangelization.”
Student Leader sponsorships are available at $50.00 per month. This amount covers the bible college student's physical and educational expenses. To help a Student Leader, click here.