Global Baptist Training Foundation

09/06/2026

A Liberia Church Plant Story

Bruce is in Liberia along with our son-in-law, Lex! Yesterday James Togba, GBTF West Africa Director, drove them two hours over rough and washed out roads to visit a remote village where we have a new GBTF church plant. The pastor has been trained through Global Baptist Training Foundation’s theological training program for nationals. In fact, he is sent out from a larger church that is also a GBTF church plant with a GBTF-trained pastor. That makes this our grandchild church!

When they arrived at the village, the people asked Bruce to preach. And he did! Today (Sunday) they returned so that Bruce could again share the Word with this young and growing church.

The people “received the Word with gladness!” These remote locations have few distractions and are eager for each service! To thank Bruce for his ministry, they gave him a gift - a chicken! We are quite sure this was a sacrificial gift and one to be appreciated and used! And so it was! The chicken went for a bumpy ride back down the difficult road to Gbarnga where Bruce will teach a group of about 90 GBTF trainers and church planters beginning tomorrow. One of the young men who works on the grounds did the honor of ending the chicken’s life. Lex then plucked and cleaned and cooked the bird.

It reminded us of the meal we ordered in Rwanda in July. The picture of our dinner walking into the restaurant is priceless! Thank God for chickens.

Amazing! Much more to come from Liberia this week!

Global Baptist Training Foundation

Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely
James Tarpeh Togba

09/04/2026

As always, Global Baptist Training Foundation classes are ongoing in many locations.

James Togba, GBTF West Africa Director, has just completed teaching classes in Ghana. Over 40 pastors and pastors’ wives attended the classes in Bibliology, Christology, and Anthropology. The reports state that the students were highly motivated and asking for their next classes to be provided as soon as possible. This class included a pastor from Togo and another from Ivory Coast. Each of these pastors expressed the desire to become a host for GBTF training classes in these countries. GBTF is already expanding into Togo and Ivory Coast before the end of 2026. These are large countries, so having a second or even third host will allow us to hold several classes in these countries in various locations. This is typically how we see GBTF grow and expand. Word spreads quickly about college level theological training.

Brasswell Nkhonjera, GBTF Southern Africa Director, has also completed courses in Pastoral Leadership and Pastoral Church Administration in Kyela, Southern Tanzania. Over 50 pastors attended this class along with a few of their wives. This group is quickly nearing their graduation from the entire GBTF curriculum!

We thank God for the exciting and ongoing movement forward of GBTF’s mission of training nationals to train nationals. You can fund one of these classes and share in the joy and reward of seeing the gospel advance through trained nationals! Visit us at globaltrain.org! Bruce leaves tomorrow for regional training in West Africa!

Videos:
James Togba Teaches GBTF Class in Ghana a New Song
https://youtube.com/shorts/q6PhnCZRjPo?si=gKS2LS4Uoh2OhCeh

Praising the Lord in Kyela, South Tanzania
https://youtu.be/qMYuxTuwnAc?feature=shared

Bruce and Grace Snavely
Global Baptist Training Foundation

Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely Pastor Brasswell Shinga Fidele James Tarpeh Togba

08/31/2026

Mission 21 Episode 35

Empowering Nationals: The Key to Church Growth

In this episode, Bruce discusses the remarkable success of nationals in starting churches across Africa. With a strategic plan to reach all 54 countries by 2032, Bruce highlights the exponential growth in church plants, attributing this success to the theological training provided
to local leaders.

Discover the three key reasons why nationals excel in ministry: their cultural fit, ownership of their ministries, and empowerment through theological education.

Join us for an inspiring look
into how nationals are transforming their communities through faith!

Watch HERE ⬇️

https://youtu.be/nQbyPJ9x6m0?feature=shared

Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely

Empowering Nationals: The Key to Church GrowthIn this episode, Br...

08/24/2026

Episode 34
The Heartbeat of Missions
MISSION 21

In our latest episode, Bruce Knavely emphasizes the vital role of church planting in missions.

Learn how training nationals can lead to sustainable growth and
transformation in communities.

Tune in now!

Watch HERE!

https://youtu.be/unrOkLkaCJ4?feature=shared



Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely Shinga Fidele

In this episode, Bruce discusses the critical role of church planti...

08/19/2026

Rwanda Reflections and Forging Ahead

We have a few closing thoughts on our recent Rwanda trip. First, we were privileged to have 8 members of our family serving on mission! Nothing could be more encouraging than to see our family with a heart for training nationals globally and the mission of GBTF! Our daughter, two sons-in-law, and five grandchildren work hard and find ways to love people every day!

Next, we loved serving alongside those who have become family. Fidele Shinga, GBTF African Director, and his wife, Alice, named their fourth daughter "Snavely" in our honor. What a humbling blessing. In addition, Fidele and Alice's two oldest daughters, Success and Successful, asked to have Bruce baptize them. They both gave clear and confident testimony of having placed their faith in Christ and their desire to follow Him. Another unforgettable lifetime memory.

Rwanda holds so many memories for us over the past 15 years. It is now the heart of what GBTF is seeing God do throughout Africa. We are thrilled to report that our trainer who sold his goats to attend GBTF training has been blessed with 6 goats thanks to two GBTF donors!

In other news, South Africa Director, Brasswell Nkhonjera, has just completed a Global Baptist Training Foundation training class in southern Tanzania and another class in Mozambique. During his time of training in Tanzania, Brasswell had the privilege of helping to ordain a new GBTF-trained pastor. In all, about 50 certificates of completion were awarded for successfully completing classes toward graduation.

Classes are ongoing now or beginning soon: 2 separate locations in Burundi, 3 separate locations in Kenya, a brand new class opening in Arusha, Tanzania, and another class in Western Rwanda. Bruce will be doing West Africa Regional Training in Liberia in early September.

In addition to these classes, GBTF graduation ceremonies will be held in Central African Republic, Western Uganda, Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Masasi, Tanzania, Kyela, Southern Tanzania, and Zambia. Well over 200 pastors and church leaders will receive GBTF diplomas certifying they have completed the entire course of study (16 total courses)! This is all cause for great rejoicing. Look for updates from these classes and graduations soon.

After a three year absence, we are thrilled to renew training in Togo, West Africa this fall. It is also exciting to announce that GBTF will be opening four new countries with training classes this fall: Gambia, Senegal, Botswana, and Ivory Coast. That will bring the total countries where GBTF is training nationals pastor and church leaders to 36!

The future is bright. Your partnership will help finance each of these countries, classes, and graduations! As we draw near the end of the year, we hope many of our partners will consider GBTF in your year-end giving. The more we expand our borders, the greater the financial needs! www.globaltrain.org

Videos:
Ordination in Tanzania
https://youtu.be/aYJVW8JOREo?feature=shared
Singing and Rejoicing in Tanzania
https://youtu.be/OiT9r69Olh8?feature=shared

Bruce and Grace Snavely
Global Baptist Training Foundation

Julie Gräb Casey Amy Scheid Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely Ryan Clohessy Shinga Fidele

08/18/2026

Episode 33 🎉

In our latest episode, Bruce Snavely discusses the impactful work in Rwanda, training national pastors and the importance of staying focused on the Great Commission. Tune in to be inspired!


https://www.buzzsprout.com/2570126/episodes/19592908

Or watch on You Tube!

https://youtu.be/X6kSilo_Lw0?feature=shared

Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely Shinga Fidele

In this episode of Mission 21, Bruce shares insights from his recen...

08/10/2026

Episode 32 🙌🏻

Unpacking the Apostolic Era: Gifts and Authority

In this episode, we explore the significance of the Apostolic Era and the gifts associated with it
as outlined in First Corinthians 12, 13, and 14.

Join us as we discuss the challenges faced by believers in Africa amidst false teachings and the importance of understanding the authority of the apostles.

We delve into the nature of apostolic gifts, their relevance during the formation of the New Testament, and the transition from miraculous signs to the church's collective prayer. This
enlightening conversation sheds light on how faith and understanding shape our spiritual journey.

Watch HERE!

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/unpacking-the-apostolic-era-gifts-and-authority/id1866585739?i=1000781362347

Or watch on you tube-

https://youtu.be/DiJNIxBlL-g?feature=shared

Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely

In this episode, we explore the significance of the Apostolic Era a...

08/08/2026

Rwanda Village Ministry July 2026

Three years ago, Global Baptist Training Foundation took a team from Two Cities Church in Winston Salem, North Carolina, to Tanzania to work alongside GBTF church plants for a few days of focused evangelistic outreach. Last year, a Two Cities team worked alongside church plants in Uganda. This year, we had the privilege of having a great Two Cities team in Rwanda. This team is flexible, hard working, and have a great heart for the gospel and the people of Africa. We were also blessed to have members of our family join in this outreach in the remote part of Rwanda.

Working with Pastor Manase and his church plant up on a mountain in Eastern Rwanda, the team shared the gospel in three villages surrounding the church plant.

It was hot. The roads are difficult getting to this area (see videos below). Plans had to change quickly at times. Several of our team experienced some intestinal problems due to food and water issues. But the team was in great spirits each day, and God gave many open doors to share the gospel.

And the people came! The team was able to give a clear presentation of the gospel through words, a skit, and Wordless book bracelets (generously supplied and crafted by Grace’s Bible study group in Florida)! We gave out gospel tracts in the local language, Kinyarwanda. We also gave out Bibles donated by the VBS of Chapel of the Cross in Massachusetts.

The Two Cities team brought disc golf discs, soccer balls, candy, and great joy to share in all three villages. The results? According to Pastor Manase and the translators, using personal knowledge and the pictures taken to document the gatherings, either 232 or 233 people indicated that they accepted Christ as Savior during the team’s visits to the villages. Another 47 have come to faith in Christ since we left. Pastor Manase is following up on each individual. Many have been in church since we left and many have submitted themselves for baptism and church membership. Please pray for these precious people and the church that is established there among them!

Our daughter, Ashely, who was on this trip with her husband, Lex, and their three children, wrapped up this trip with what most impacted her. She said, "They don't need us! These nationals that have been trained by GBTF are doing an amazing job. But we go to encourage and work alongside them for a few days." Even the modeling of an effective presentation of the gospel is a training tool for national church planters. We are so thankful for those who sacrificed time and money to join us for this trip! We are looking forward to next year!

Videos of Village Ministry:

https://youtube.com/shorts/osxHNWGkzbg?feature=shared

https://youtube.com/shorts/lcT8b6rnYU0?feature=shared

https://youtube.com/shorts/jT_Pqn9zCZ0?feature=shared

https://youtube.com/shorts/rJEA-cZ-AxY?feature=shared

https://youtube.com/shorts/Q37En8zrZ2Q?feature=shared

https://youtube.com/shorts/DG5OvC0MccA?feature=shared

https://youtube.com/shorts/YFRp-W6iQ7Y?feature=shared

Bruce and Grace Snavely
Global Baptist Training Foundation
www.globaltrain.org/donate

Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely Shinga Fidele Julie Gräb Casey Ryan Clohessy Amy Scheid

08/07/2026

Do you have a copy yet?

Bruce’s newest book! 📕
Bruce Snavely

Get a copy for yourself and even for your pastor, mission team leaders or a friend!

Ultimately, the legacy of English-speaking missions has reached a turning point—and the next chapter belongs to the nationals themselves. GBTF is already seeing it unfold and it is more effective than you can possibly imagine! 🌎

The Voices of the Nationals invites you into powerful stories of church leaders who know their own language, culture, and people best. This book will challenge how you think about missions and reveal why educating and empowering indigenous leaders isn’t just wise—it’s Biblcal and essential. A bright future for global missions and the spread of the gospel depends on it.

Get your copy today!! 📕

The legacy of English-speaking missions endeavors for the past century needs a new chapter written related directly to the training and empowerment of national church leaders to reach their own nations for Christ. Why would we deny the indigenous, who best know the language, culture, and people, ...

08/03/2026

Episode 31🎉

The Journey of Gilbert: A Trainer from Uganda

In this episode, Bruce shares an inspiring story about Gilbert, a dedicated trainer from Uganda.
Gilbert's journey to teach pastors under challenging conditions highlights his unwavering commitment to his work with the Global Baptist Training Foundation.

Join us as we explore his remarkable determination, the impact of his efforts on church planting, and the profound lessons we can learn from his experience.

Watch HERE ⬇️

https://podcasts.apple.com/us/podcast/mission-21/id1866585739

OR watch on You Tube!

https://youtu.be/NL0c4xydS_k?feature=shared

Bruce Snavely Grace Melton Snavely

In this episode, Bruce shares an inspiring story about Gilbert, a d...