Zambia

Dear Friends and Partners,

Greetings from Zambia. Sherri and I are so grateful for the individuals and congregations which support our mission service here in Zambia. It is quite encouraging to have people behind us. I am writing now in order to share about a possible scholarship opportunity for a Presbyterian student where I teach and train pastors for ministry at Justo Mwale Theological University College. Many thanks for those who are already supporting students here at Justo Mwale. Your investment is definitely making a difference in the lives of congregations.

Numerous people in Africa yearn to be trained for a life of ministry; it is not difficult to find good candidates for such scholarships. Justo Mwale prepares pastors from church bodies throughout Southern Africa. Synods of the Uniting Presbyterian Church (Zambia, Zimbabwe, and South Africa) and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe) choose persons they are consecrating for ministry and send them for training at Justo Mwale. However, these synods are not able to send a student unless a partner church body or individual chooses to offer a scholarship. Justo Mwale could train far more pastors than we currently do, and there is need for far more pastors in this part of the world. It is not unusual, for instance, for our students from Malawi to serve as many as 7,500 persons – as a solo pastor. It is routine for our students to start as solo pastors of multiple large congregations, numbering in the 1,000s. There is no risk at all that a student will be trained and no position will be available for him or her. “The harvest is plentiful” here in Southern Africa.

One such person is Dora Longwe, who’s preparing for ministry with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian and has just finished her third year of training. She once shared that on the day she was accepted to be a student at Justo Mwale, she was absolutely delighted. On the very same day, her twin sister, Doreen, was offered a very good job with Zambia’s Ministry of Education. The family immediately threw a celebration right on the spot. At one point while they were celebrating another sibling of Dora, a younger sister, said to her, “I know why we are celebrating for Doreen, because she will have a salary. But you’re preparing for ministry and may get no salary at all. So why are we celebrating?” When Dora heard the question, she answered her sister with a song, a song repeating these words: “I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God…, I’d rather be a doorkeeper in the house of my God…, and I’d rather be a housekeeper in the house of my God…” Dora shared with her sister that the joy of being in God’s presence while giving her life to the ministry of the gospel was all the pay that she required. Dora said she went on singing that song to herself throughout the day, as a way of expressing the joy she knew. For me, Dora’s response embodies our students’ wholehearted love for ministry and commitment to it.

Student Dora Longwe sharing God's word with women in a poor community near Justo Mwale Theological University College

When you support a scholarship fund such as this, you help train someone like Dora for a church that is very hungry to grow in Christ and spread the gospel. And when a new scholarship is funded, it’s a real encouragement to our African Presbyterian partners.

It is ideal if $5,500 can be given in four consecutive years, in order to train someone throughout his/her bachelor of theology program. However, even a one-time gift of any amount is quite helpful, because such gifts often fill in gaps and mean that a student is able to begin study or continue his/her training who otherwise wouldn’t.

The gift can be given through The Outreach Foundation. It is important that the gift be clearly labeled as a scholarship at Justo Mwale Theological University College in Zambia.

Thank you so much for considering this scholarship opportunity which I believe will make a substantial difference for the advance of the gospel and the kingdom of God in Africa, even as it touches innumerable people’s lives and the life of whole communities. We would also very much appreciate your ongoing prayers for our family and for the ministry of Justo Mwale where we live and serve.

Grace and peace,

Dustin Ellington

Amount needed in 2015

The Outreach Foundation seeks to raise at least $5,500 per scholarship per year at Justo Mwale. To make a donation, click the Donate Now link in the sidebar.

The Outreach Foundation now offers the option of receiving missionary/project updates, newsletters, and receipts by e-mail. If you would like to sign up to start receiving these communications electronically, please send your name and e-mail address, along with that request, to info@theoutreachfoundation.org or call us at (615) 778-8881.

Justo Mwale Theological University College - December 2014 Update

Zambia

Amount needed in 2015