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Last month I had the privilege of meeting this year’s pastoral interns at Kabwata Baptist Church. Thanks to the generosity of our donors, HeartCry supports the internship program of KBC as a vital means of finding and preparing the next generation of biblical pastors in Africa. It is amazing how the internship program is reaching nations across the continent. The group I met represented Botswana, Nigeria, South Sudan, and Zambia. In recent years, men have also come from Kenya, South Africa, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe. This year I was particularly thrilled to meet brother Wal from war-torn South Sudan. Each class of interns is asked to submit testimonies of their experiences at KBC, highlighting what they have learned. Here are segments from each of the men:

Abutu Peter Joshua (from Nigeria) says, “I came seeking a veritable soil where my classroom experience may be nurtured towards effective God-honoring pastoral service in the African context. My expectations were surpassed in the areas of expository preaching, reformed leadership (especially teamwork and openness), capacity building (especially freedom and independent thinking in leadership), training in personal piety (e.g. living by example, prayer, Bible reading, deliberate mentorship), inclusive and participatory church membership, the primacy of the Bible in church life and polity, genuine interest in missions and soul-winning activities, and the place of functional home cell groups in church life.”

Andrew Mulendema (from Lusaka, Zambia) says, “It is a privilege to be part of this internship program here at Kabwata Baptist Church. I beg to express my experience and the great lessons I have learned. To start with, my experience in this first six months has been a great joy. Very few churches have such internship programs. The love and care the church offers to us, the fellowship and the liberty we are given to interact with all, and the freedom to do our work without close supervision is great. The great lessons learned have been integrity, discipline, hard work, and creativity.”

Wal Abraham (from South Sudan) says, “First, thanks be to God for his providence in my internship. It has been a great opportunity for me to be exposed to new things here. I have been learning partly through observation. It has been a great joy to share the gospel with outsiders who have been groaning to be encouraged by the precious words of God. It has also been good to pray for those who are subjected to various frustrations. I have been seeing God’s grace at work. Pray for me to have a greater desire to reach the lost through the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Daniel Sitali (from Kitwe, Zambia) says, “From the time I came here, I have seen a lot and I have learnt a lot in terms of how a church should run. One thing that has stood out for me is the way the different ministries in the church run, including the other programs that I have been attending. I have attended the missions retreat, pastors fraternals, and some short courses at Lusaka Ministerial College, to mention a few. I have also had the privilege of leading the Sunday worship services and Bible studies. I am also thankful for the fact that all my needs are being met.”

Ntungamili Mashumba (from Botswana) says, “During the first six months of my internship in Kabwata Baptist Church, I have learnt a great deal of how churches operate successfully. I have seen how the eldership works in harmony. I have been mostly impressed by the peace and transparency that reigns in church members’ meetings. Above all, I praise God for the faithful biblical preaching during Sunday services. In my living arrangements, I’m thankful to God for the allowance I get. For the purpose of the internship I’m happy and privileged for the learning experience. Glory be to God for his mercy and goodness (2 Corinthians 3:5).”