Johannesburg Bible College - RSA
Key Facts:
Project Name: JBC church leadership and planting training
Programme: Equip
Partner organisation: Johannesburg Bible College
Location: Auckland Park, Johannesburg, South Africa
Main contact: Nat Schluter, Sihle Mooi
Support provided: Funding for the Christian Leadership and Church Planting Course covering costs of lecturer and required materials
Summary:
The Johannesburg Bible College (‘JBC’) is located in the heart of Johannesburg in South Africa, and was established in 2004/5 to equip and train people for Christian ministry. Nat Schluter has been instrumental to its founding and leads the college, and JMT got involved with JBC over the course of 2007 to help support its growing work. Specifically, JMT has been helping to fund the Leadership and church planting course, by supporting the costs of a part-time role lecturing this course for Sihle Mooi. This then also links closely with JMT’s support for Sihle’s own church planting efforts in Soweto, providing him with a part-time role, a close connection with JBC and its mentoring, as well enabling the students to benefit from Sihle’s experience in Soweto.
Details and background:
JBC’s Mission:
The Johannesburg Bible College is equipping and inspiring men and women for Bible teaching ministries. This is achieved primarily as students attend college, through our conferences and other events, and through the growing relational network with local pastors and ministry leaders.
JBC’S Situation:
The JBC is situated in Gauteng, in the university area of Johannesburg. The Gauteng region, which includes Johannesburg, Soweto and 'Pretoria', already accounts for 40% of GNP. It is estimated that it will house the 12th largest urban area in the world by 2015. Auckland Park is serviced by both trains and taxis, as well as being close to motorways, allowing students to commute in from many suburbs and townships – from Midrand in the north, Kwa Thema in the east, and Soweto and Kagiso in the south and west.
Johannesburg is a very influential, cosmopolitan city - a gateway to the rest of Africa. The college has had applications from students originating in the DRC, Gabon, Nigeria, Mozambique, Zambia, Malawi, Tanzania, Uganda, and Kenya as well as the UK, the US and Australia.
Courses:
The core course is practical and focused on the skills and knowledge needed to be an effective Bible teacher. The subjects include: a Bible Overview, four books of the Bible in depth, general Bible handling skills (exegesis, hermeneutics and homiletics), handling OT and NT literature, Systematic Theology, Engaging with God’s World, Christian Leadership and Church Planting, and a weekly preaching workshop.
In 2007, seeing the need for women especially to have their own course, we started an elective course for Women and Children’s Workers. This course includes Biblical Womanhood, Women Engaging with God’s World and Children’s Work. In 2008 there was a new elective course which includes Bridge Building (apologetic method), Christian Cultural Leadership and God’s Word in God’s World. The aim of this course is to equip Christians to teach the Bible, forming and applying a Biblical perspective on contemporary issues in order to make a positive contribution in society.
Photos at Graduation 2008 - students at JBC
Latest updates:
2007/2008 was another very positive year for the college and its continued growth in students from different churches and backgrounds. JBC are launching a new Soweto Campus on Tuesday and Thursday evenings for 2009, which will provide greater access and reach of the teaching. A major step forward will be the current process of buying a property as a launch pad for JBC Ministry, which will provide a permanent base for the work and plenty of space. One further upcoming event in January 2009, is that JBC are hosting a ‘Foundations for Church Planting’ Conference for ACTS 29 and Redeemer Presbyterian Church Planting Ministries, that will teach on how to church plant.
Nick Marsh from JMT met up with Nat and Sihle in October 2008 to hear more about the latest developments and progress over the last year, which was very encouraging. JMT has pledged to continue to support this programme and work with Nat, Sihle and the team on a partnership in this.
Links and info:
For more information: www.johannesburgbiblecollege.org
Top