01/09/2026
Dear saints,
Please pray with us for an exciting theological training initiative that has been developing over the past months.
Lord willing, Central Africa Baptist University (CABU), Kitwe, Zambia, hopes to begin offering its Bachelor of Arts in Bible through two-way live delivery in South Africa in early 2027. Students would participate in live CABU classes from approved church-based locations in South Africa, while remaining rooted in their own local churches for discipleship, mentoring, accountability, and ministry formation. The degree itself remains a CABU qualification, awarded by Central Africa Baptist University in Zambia.
The desire is to combine rigorous biblical and theological education with meaningful local-church discipleship—training students not merely to gain knowledge, but to be shaped for faithful service in Christ’s church. The BA may be available to suitably qualified men and women within CABU’s complementarian convictions, while pastoral-office and pulpit-preaching training remains restricted appropriately.
There has already been significant progress. A number of experienced pastors and teachers across South Africa have indicated willingness to teach subjects ranging from Old and New Testament, biblical languages and theology to missions, counselling, apologetics, and preaching. The steering committee is now moving from conceptual planning toward implementation, including the first-year academic programme, faculty assignments, applications, local delivery sites, mentoring structures, and the necessary two-way live classroom technology.
Our present aim is to have the academic and technical preparations substantially ready by the end of this year, with final preparation and faculty training in January and, Lord willing, the first classes beginning early in 2027.
Please pray particularly:
• that the Lord would give wisdom and unity to CABU, the South African steering committee, faculty, and participating churches as the remaining details are finalised;
• that He would provide the necessary technology, finances, facilities, and administrative capacity for each training location;
• that the academic team would develop a faithful, rigorous, and workable programme and that suitable lecturers would be available to teach each course;
• that the Lord would raise up qualified, teachable, godly students with a genuine desire to know His Word and serve His church;
• especially, that He would use this programme to raise up faithful pastors, missionaries, Bible teachers, counsellors, disciplers, and servants of local churches throughout Southern Africa;
• that the connection between theological education and the local church would remain strong, so that students grow not only in knowledge but also in godliness, character, humility, and usefulness;
• and ultimately, that this initiative would bear lasting fruit for the strengthening and planting of healthy churches and the advance of the gospel across Africa.
As Paul exhorted Timothy:
“And the things which you have heard from me in the presence of many witnesses, entrust these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also.”
— 2 Timothy 2:2
Please pray that the Lord would establish this work according to His will, guard it from error and distraction, provide every person and resource needed, and use it to equip generations of faithful servants of His Word—for the good of Christ’s church and the glory of His name. 🙏🏼
—Pastor Jonathan
