Written by Dr. Scott Cunningham, OC Dean of Leadership Development

Dr. Scott Cunningham, OC Dean of Leadership Development

This past November, I had the privilege of leading the Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development in India. It was the eleventh Institute for Excellence that OC held in 2008. Two dozen leaders from 15 schools around South Asia gathered together for training to become more effective presidents and deans in their seminaries and Bible colleges. Since the Institute, Ivor Poobalan, Principal of Colombo Theological Seminary (CTS) in Sri Lanka, wrote me to thank OC for the ministry of the Institute. “The OC Institutes have become a marvelous source of training, encouragement and cutting-edge management skills, and help us shape a relatively new seminary to prepare for the challenges of the 21st century.”

Ivor Poobalan, Principal, Colombo Theological Seminary, Sri Lanka

Ivor further remarked how OC has impacted his school and his students. “I can say with confidence that we owe our rapid growth and development to a fair extent to the knowledge, training and exposure that we have gained through this innovative initiative of OC.”

The Institute is only one facet of OC’s broader ministry to come alongside significant Christian training centers around the world. Student scholarships, faculty development, assistance with educational resources, the consultation and counseling provided by our Regional Directors – all these together contribute to the strategic task of building up the Church around the world by strengthening its leadership. The students in our partner schools are those future leaders.

As OC scholarship recipients, these students from our five regions are directly impacted by support of our faithful donors. Each student has the potential of touching and changing the lives of hundreds more. Thank you for making their theological training possible through your generous giving. Enjoy their stories.

AFRICA
“The four years at Theological College of Zimbabwe (TCZ) have taught me another dimension of God’s love and goodness,” says Moses Kalafula, an Honors student who ministers to Congolese countrymen in Zimbabwe refugee camps. For five years, Moses was a refugee after fleeing his home country, Democratic Republic of the Congo, due to war in 2002. During that time, he trained at TCZ. The college “not only gave me theological training [and sponsorship to cover all my fees], but also English language knowledge, strong computer skills and a multicultural community to belong to; thus, I always feel at home.” Moses also thanks God and the college for transforming his life and allowing him to reach a high degree of thinking. He will be speaking at TCZ’s theological conference this month on “The Supremacy of Christ.”

ASIA
After receiving God’s call for ministry, Norberto Cerialis left a mechanical engineering career behind to pursue seminary training in the Philippines. “I learned how to plant and pastor a church,” he says. “I was exposed to tribal missions and evangelism to different kinds of people, including drug addicts and prostitutes.” Later, he pursued graduate studies at Asian Theological Seminary (ATS), Philippines. “My studies were a wonderful experience. I learned a lot intellectually, spiritually and personally that has helped me in my ministry [as an Associate Pastor].” After completing his Master of Divinity degree, he started teaching at two Bible schools. “It is an exciting experience for me because I am able to share what I’ve learned in seminary and my experience in the ministry with those whom God called to be in ministry just like me.” Norberto is now pursuing his Master of Theology and PhD degrees from Asia Graduate School of Theology (AGST), Philippines, with plans to teach there as well.

EUROPE
Lukasz Gruszczynski has been involved in evangelism outreach among children through Child Evangelism Fellowship (CEF) for many years. He enrolled as a Bachelor of Theology extension student at the Evangelical School of Theology (EST), Poland, after learning about the school through their “Christmas in a Shoebox” project and appreciating the interdenominational character of EST. “I also valued the…idea of working for oneness within the diversity of Christianity in Poland.” Because of his commitment to children’s ministry, Lukasz knew he needed further education and intellectual development. He now works full time for CEF and is responsible for various courses for children and young adults, as well as training Sunday school teachers. “I can see how the wider understanding of theology and practical skills I am gaining at EST are helping me share faith with others as I’m equipped for deeper and more effective ministry.”

LATIN AMERICA
Growing up without his own personal faith, Samuel Louis-Charles came to a point in his life when all the doors seemed closed. Pastor Johny Philippe, a graduate of the Evangelical Theological Seminary of Port-au-Prince (STEP), Haiti, planted a church in Samuel’s town and spoke with him about Jesus. It wasn’t until four years later that Samuel eventually came to faith in Christ. In the following few years, he became a lay preacher, deacon, Sunday school teacher and coordinator of “Church in Action” activities. Pastor Johny talked with Samuel about training at STEP, and today, Samuel is a Bachelor of Theology student. The seminary says, “Samuel is already able to do much more effective work in the Church because of the training he is receiving.” His great desire is to serve as an effective instrument in God’s hands and help transform his community.

MIDDLE EAST
“Through the good teaching I am getting from the Bachelor courses I take [at Nile Theological College (NTCS), Sudan], God is teaching me how to be holy like Jesus…, how to care for His ministry…and how to teach His Word to people,” says Paula Achan Omoya. “After finishing this helpful training, I will be a qualified and well-equipped Christian education teacher with [the training needed to] develop the Church of Christ in Sudan.” Paula currently trains and preaches to women and youths, especially young orphan girls and boys. “I feed them with the Word of God,” she says. Paula also teaches Christian and non-Christian women how to manage their homes, serve their churches if they do so, share the Bible with others and care for their husbands, children and themselves. “My aim is to help them both spiritually and physically.”

Thank the Lord for these praises:

• The immeasurable impact of students’ practical ministries throughout the year
• The many social/community-based programs that partner schools offer and the lives they touch
• For God’s faithfulness to each seminary as they train future Christian leaders who minister for Him around the world
• For OC’s donors whose faithful support has lasting Kingdom results

Please commit to pray with OC over the following worldwide prayer requests:

• For the Lord’s clear direction and blessing for each seminary in 2009
• For the students, faculty and staff at each of OC’s 100+ partner schools and the impact that graduates have around the world
• For God’s protection and guidance for the leaders serving around the world and especially for those in countries where the threat of persecution exists