Significant Progress
The training of national Christians for Gospel ministry has long been one of the core ministries of SGA.
As a result, when foreign travel was effectively banned due to COVID 19, there was a determination to continue serving the students through our Biblical Leadership Training Programme. There have been many challenges along the way, but we are thankful to report that this ministry has continued. Indeed, it has advanced in several significant ways.
New Teachers
As in many areas of business and commerce, one of the consequences of the pandemic has been the acceleration of plans already in place.
This has proved to be true concerning the use of national teachers in our Mission Schools. Over the years, SGA’s training programme has been enriched by the use of local church leaders in Romania. As a result, plans were in place to expand this practice in other countries.
An obvious example of the value of this approach may be seen in the teaching of ‘Evangelism and Church Planting’. The experience gained by local teachers who have already been involved in planting churches means that they have local expertise which a UK based teacher does not.
The travel restrictions brought about by COVID 19 meant that these plans needed to be accelerated and expanded.
Despite the use of video conferencing platforms such as Zoom, it quickly became apparent that in-person teaching was always preferable. Therefore, arrangements were made for local leaders and lecturers to attend the Mission Schools and teach the students. In the vast majority of instances, this proved to be a great blessing to those attending.
As travel restrictions are lifted and SGA staff travel again, the plan is to integrate the best of these national teachers into our training programme. We trust this approach will strengthen this ministry as we equip the students for their future Gospel work.
New Graduates
During the period of disruption we are grateful that students of several Mission Schools have completed their studies. In September 2021, Derek Maxwell was privileged to attend the graduation of the Ruptawa Mission School.
He reported, “It was a wonderful blessing to be with the students in Poland for their final teaching session and participate in their Graduation …Twenty students received their certificates/diplomas … They also received a gift of a small library of books to assist them in their continuing ministry.”
At the time of writing, plans are also in place for the graduation of the Balti Mission School in Moldova. It is anticipated over 20 students will complete their studies in December.
New Students
As one group of students complete their studies, plans are in place for others to begin.
A new intake of students in Ruptawa and Balti is due to begin their studies in January. In addition, discussions have taken place exploring the possibility of starting new training programmes in Romania and Serbia. The Romanian and Serbian schools will likely commence in the second half of 2022 to lessen the possible impact of further disruptions due to the pandemic. We are excited about these possibilities and look forward to seeing what God will do through these new opportunities.
Despite the disruptions and challenges, we are thankful that the Biblical Leadership Programme has continued and advanced in certain significant areas.
As we move forward, we seek your prayers and the Lord’s blessing on this vital ministry.