Eight years of civil war have weakened the churches in the Congo. Many are born without sound teaching of the Gospel, leading to heresy. Churches have accumulated much debt and cannot send students for training. With these challenges in mind, Shalom University of Bunia (SUB) in the Democratic Republic of the Congo has initiated the Center for the Renewal of the Church where pastors come to reflect on community issues and find biblical solutions using local resources.

Due to the villages' positive responses, five reflection centers now exist to examine issues such as food security, adult literacy and HIV/AIDS prevention. SUB's goal is to show Christ's love to destitute people in the surrounding communities and help students master the biblical principles needed to develop similar strategies in their own communities.

At a time when many institutions created during the war are closing, SUB's enrollment has doubled in the past two years to 250 students. SUB attributes this to its new community development programs and the recent government recognition of the university's academic and spiritual excellence.

Paul Mintah

Ghana Christian University (GCU), a strong leader in transformational leadership development, is nationally accredited and internationally validated by the University of Wales (UK) for its quality academic excellence. Training includes engaging students in life-changing ministry long before graduation.

During his missionary work in Ghana and Togo, OC scholarship student Paul Mintah established a Christian leadership program for churches and rural pastors. He says, "My studies have helped me to affect many lives of people of other faiths and to win some for Christ. By the time I graduate, I will be well equipped to handle the different issues of life from a better biblical perspective." Paul plans to teach at a local Bible school and be a church planter.

GCU President Manuel Budu Adjei stresses the need for training in the region: "This morning, I listened with anguish as I heard a preacher on air. I know that many more like him need to be trained...We greatly appreciate OC's partnership." OC has raised thousands of dollars for GCU scholarships and significantly contributed to its resident housing project.

OC's Vice President of International Partnerships Jason Ferenczi offers his reflections after a recent visit to Africa.

Recently, I visited Mozambique, the Portuguese-speaking nation of 18 million that continues to recover from a destructive civil war that ended in the early 1990s. I met with the leaders of a new cooperative leadership program co-sponsored by OC, South American Theological Seminary (SATS) in Brazil and two Mozambique seminaries.

SATS, one of OC's leading Latin American partners, is working together with Mozambicans to offer a holistic mission Master's degree for Africa's church leaders. The 23 students benefit from library and computer resources donated by OC.

During the visit, I also learned about students pastoring churches in the capital Maputo who are now working together across denominational lines on mission projects. A driving force in this work is the degree's heavy emphasis on urban mission.

OC rejoices to see proven leaders gaining further training with more to come in 2009 and encourages collaborative projects between institutions. OC believes this to be a portent of projects to come in the future.

Phyllis (center) and two fellow facilitators, Nyambura and Annie

After graduation, Phyllis and the facilitators decided working with the youth was the best solution to change the vicious cycle of drug and alcohol addiction, unemployment, young mothers and HIV/AIDS in Kenya. They have since trained youth in business entrepreneurship and farming to earn income, nurtured their spiritual and life skill needs and empowered them to change their futures.

The foundation's future plans include a community resource center, cyber café and partnering with other organizations to provide further relief. The women encourage "others to boldly give of their talents and skills to do what God leads them to, and by handling God's provision with faithfulness and integrity, transformation will result."

OC's fourth 2008 Institute for Excellence in Christian Leadership Development was held April 7-11 in São Paulo, Brazil. The event was hosted by OC partner Word of Life Seminary (WOL). 25 leaders of strategic training programs in the region attended the Institute, representing Argentina, Bolivia, Brazil, Chile, Ecuador, Peru, Portugal and Uruguay.

During the five-day Institute themed "Leadership Matters," participants focused on topics designed to equip them to more effectively lead their schools. All presentations and materials were available in Portuguese and Spanish.

"The themes are always very good and well thought through," shares Russell L. Penney, ThD, Rector and President, Seminario Teológico Hebrón, Bolivia. "It was apparent that the presentations were well researched, and most of the information can be applied to our situation and context almost immediately...There is nothing like getting to know other brothers and sisters in Christ who are sharing the same struggles, challenges and victories in life and ministry."

[See São Paulo Institute speaker list in sidebar]

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

• For God to heal the war-torn regions of Africa and restore peace
• Safety for faculty, students and staff as they travel to and from classes
• For God to provide wisdom to partner schools on how to minister to people affected by violence and how to promote reconciliation efforts
• Financial stability of each partner school in order to train godly and capable men and women