To accommodate the tremendous growth of this program, we are now building Bible school campuses in strategic cities across the country, to provide each province with essential infrastructure for ongoing training efforts. We have now completed the first phase of construction in six locations, equipping each Bible school campus with an academic building that provides two classrooms, a library, and administrative office space. We are now moving into the second phase—focusing our attention on a rather urgent need for dormitories and restrooms on these campuses.
Bible School Development Plan
Phase 1 – Academic Building
Phase 2 – Dormitory & Restrooms
Phase 3 – Chapel/Conference Center
Lubumbashi Bible School
The Lubumbashi Bible School’s first phase of construction was recently completed. The academic building now provides this training center with two large classrooms, four offices, and a library to help serve the training needs of the vast Katanga Province, with a population of more than 10 million. Funds have now been raised to build restrooms and a dormitory that will allow us to lodge another 24 students coming from the interior of the province. As construction progresses, we are excited about the potential of this new beachhead of training in DR Congo’s second largest city.
Mbuji-Mayi Bible School
Thanks to the generous giving of our partners in the States, the phase-one academic building in Mbuji-Mayi has been completed! Its two large classrooms, four administrative offices, and library are now buzzing with activity and being used to capacity. The national church is rejoicing in the inauguration of this building as it is the first AG leadership training facility ever to be built in the Kasaï-Oriental Province. Funds have now been raised to finish building the security wall as well as the desperately needed dormitory and restrooms.
Kananga Bible School
The Kananga Bible School serves the training needs of the Kasaï-Occidental Province, with a population of 5.9 million people. This province is believed by many to be a stronghold of cultic activity in DR Congo. It is inundated with many false doctrines, false ministries, and sects. In 2006 there were only five trained AG pastors working in this province. We believe that this Bible school will equip the Church to lead this province out of its dark history and fulfill its great purpose. Because of the generosity of our partners, we are now renovating the academic building, dormitory, and security wall.
Kindu Bible School
The Kindu Bible School serves the training needs of the remote Maniema Province, with a population of 1.8 million. Because of the generous support of our partners in the States, we were able to finish the two-story, phase-one academic building in June 2012. It’s two large classrooms, library, and four administrative offices are already being used beyond capacity. Students are sleeping on the floor in the offices and library while funds are being raised to build the dormitory. The restrooms and security wall around the perimeter of this Bible school property were recently finished.
Nioki Bible School
The Maï-Ndombe region of northern Bandundu has been a stronghold of witchcraft for many years. The first Congolese missionaries who tried to evangelize this area were either chased away or killed. However, since 1990 a handful of national AG pastors have been working in the area, and have been successful in planting many new churches. But without access to Bible school training, in 2006 there were still only five trained AG pastors working in all of northern Bandundu. The Nioki Bible School is helping to meet this need.
Mbandaka Bible School
In October 2006 we established a Bible school extension in Mbandaka. From its inception it has been bursting at the seams. Now, with 18 successful years of training behind it and the production of more than 100 graduates, this training center is fueling the fires of evangelism and church planting in the Equateur Province. Thanks to generous donations from our partners in the States, the phase one academic building was completed in 2009. Funds are now being raised for the security wall, dormitory, and restrooms.