Nairobi Institute trains 28 leaders from 15 schools

OC’s sixth 2009 Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development took place August 10-14 in Nairobi, Kenya. The event was hosted by OC partner Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology (NEGST). Twenty-eight leaders from 15 strategic training programs in the region attended the Institute, representing the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Ethiopia, Kenya, Rwanda, Uganda and Zambia.

During the five-day Institute themed “Nurturing Spiritual Formation in the Seminary,” participants focused on the hearts of students, not simply their head and hands, as part of a holistic approach to student growth. The seminary leaders were equipped with a deeper understanding of spiritual formation, so that it can be intentionally integrated into the entire program, curriculum and culture of their seminaries.

Many participants commented on how helpful it was to hear real examples of spiritual formation at other schools. One said, “I will be more particular in ensuring activities that strengthen and promote spiritual formation are more diligently planned, organized, run and followed up.” Another participant said this topic was very timely, while others plan to implement several concepts that they learned this week, such as a mentorship program for students, community outreach activities to practice aspects of spiritual formation, faculty retreats focused on the topic and a spiritual life committee to help seminary chaplains.

The next Institute for Excellence will take place August 31 - September 4 at Alliance Seminary of West Africa (FATEAC) in Abidjan, Cote d’Ivoire. Click here for the 2009 schedule.