Graduate Robert Mbolela from Lubumbashi District in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, is returning home to serve as an Institut Théologique Nazaréen (ITN) teacher and the Africa Middle Field Child Sponsorship coordinator.
Each trimester, Africa Nazarene University (ANU) sends students who have completed their course work into ministry across Africa.
At the conclusion of the September 2011 trimester, six students completed their studies in the Department of Religion. Most of these were beneficiaries of the ANU Ministerial Scholarship Program. Some pursued the Bachelor of Theology program and others took the Bachelor of Arts in Christian Ministries with a concentration in a particular area.
What a wonderful opportunity ANU has to train God’s servants in the Church of the Nazarene from various African countries. Two of them were from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). Robert Mbolela from Lubumbashi District served while a student as the Religion Student Association Chairperson and is returning to serve as an Institut Théologique Nazaréen (ITN) teacher and the Africa Middle Field Child Sponsorship coordinator.
The other DRC student, DieuMerci Nzola, will return to serve as the new JESUS Film coordinator from Kinshasa District where he is also in charge of ministers’ education through ITN.
Another finishing student is from Ethiopia on the Horn of Africa Field. He is Thomas Teka and he will continue as a Zone leader and assistant to the district superintendent in Omo District and pastor of a local church in the same district.
Three of the finishing students come from Kenya, the country that hosts Africa Nazarene University. These are Carol Njenjere, from the Mount Kenya District, and the district superintendent’s daughter, Lucy Kimani, who joined the Church of the Nazarene during her last trimester; and Frederick Opondo, who is serving as the interim senior pastor of the Central Church of the Nazarene in Nairobi, where he was formerly the assistant pastor.
When asked what fears they anticipated or challenges they experienced while studying at ANU, almost all of them could identify financial challenges, because even with a scholarship not all expenses are covered. They testified to the need to learn how to take care of expenses like accommodation, food and other concerns while being a full-time student. Others had additional concerns about caring for spouses and families, either back home or there with them at ANU.
Nzola had gotten married just a month before he was to report to ANU to begin his studies. He was concerned about how he would care for his wife while he was away. Eventually the way was made possible for her to come and join him, and they even have a daughter born in Kenya.
When first accepted at ANU, Fred Opondo said he really wanted to get into the steps of today’s academic world, but had the fear of not knowing how to meet the demands of studies because of his age; he worried about how he would care for his family, and minister to his local church. He later was encouraged that he would make it when he saw people older than him graduating.
These finishing students were asked about the impact their ANU education has made on their lives and ministries. Opondo testifies that the ANU community has prepared him to look at life in a positive way and meet the needs of the community around him by applying the three C’s (core values) of ANU: Character, Competence and Community.
Nzola also acknowledges the impact of ANU’s emphasis on the 3 C’s, adding that he has been given “above all, a good understanding of entire sanctification, how to live in this corrupted world … and to live a holy life … and to be a leader by leading with influence the people of God to where He wants them to be.”
Njenjere, who is ministering as the children pastor in the University Church of the Nazarene which meets on the property of ANU, thanks the university for the chance to receive this quality education. She says that she was very excited to be accepted at ANU because she had stayed at home for two years while waiting for the opportunity to pursue her university studies.
Kimani says she was not only given the opportunity to study, but also to serve during her stay at ANU. She has now a better understanding of the Bible, and the wider range of education she gained has allowed her to live amidst any kind of people and serve them. She has learned and embraced the concept of servant leadership at ANU. While serving in the ANU Nairobi Central Business District Campus, she is hoping to further her studies whenever the opportunity will be available.
These students are just a few of those who have passed through the halls and classrooms of Africa Nazarene University, who have or are now going out to make a kingdom difference in their societies. Pray for them as they begin these new chapters of their lives.
-- Agnes Ibanda recently completed her Master of Arts in Religion at Africa Nazarene University. She also serves as an assistant pastor at University Church, which meets on the ANU campus. She is married to Milly Ibanda and they have two children: Gustav and Alphonsine.
