Greetings! As we relaunch our Training Today e-newsletter, we want you to know that we are praying for you and standing with you. Thank you for all you are doing to advance the kingdom of God in Africa and around the world. May God continue to anoint you and bless you in your labor for Him.

It is no secret that Pentecostalism has emerged as a prominent narrative in Africa’s religious landscape. The growth of the Pentecostal church in Africa now requires viable and sustainable models of education that will both strengthen and grow this church movement. If this is to happen, academic leaders and our institutions must be sufficiently prepared.

For our present and future, the church in Africa requires not hundreds, but millions of trained leaders to fulfill the task of the Great Commission. In response, our academic leaders and educational institutions must rise to higher standards of educational practice that will encourage and equip our national churches to confidently advance gospel proclamation, church planting, and disciple-making through the empowerment of the Holy Spirit.

Going forward, we must train for tomorrow and not for the past. Our models of training should reflect the realities of life and ministry of today’s society and tomorrow’s world. As an academic leader, remain prayerfully observant of both the students you train and the contexts in which your students come from and are called to serve. Be intentional in your evaluation as to whether your program(s) of training remain relevant for preparing harvest workers for ministry in your local context. Assess as to whether your focus has remained true to the vision and mission of your school.  Be honest as to whether your programs provide quality training that would meet good educational standards.

In order to assist your effectiveness, ATTS and Africa’s Hope remain committed to working alongside Bible schools and theological programs throughout Africa to promote effective Pentecostal ministry training. We pray that through our mutual partnership in the gospel, we can work together to offer training that will prepare a new generation of competent ministers of the Spirit to offer life-giving witness to the gospel in their communities.
 
John L. Easter, Ph.D.
Executive Director,
Africa Theological Training Service (ATTS)