Tanzania, Africa
Chimala School of Preaching (CSOP)
In 1987, a Preacher Training School was established on the grounds of Chimala Mission. The impetus for starting the school was a great evangelistic push that occurred in 1986 into the Tukuyu, Kyela and Mbozi districts of Tanzania. A training school was needed to develop men who could strengthen congregations in their home areas. With the support of Springtown church of Christ, fifteen young men from southern Tanzania came to study the Bible at Chimala for one year. From this humble beginning, CSOP has made a tremendous contribution with almost 200 graduates spreading the word of God.
The program has now expanded into a two-year format. It consists of buildings for classrooms, a print shop, a library, teachers' offices, dorms for single and married students, and housing for teachers. In January, 2004, fourteen men joined twelve second-year students, making a total of 26 in training this year. Chris Raynor and Jason Stapleton are working full-time with the local staff, training these men to rightly proclaim the good news of Christ.
During the year, numerous seminars are held at the School where men and women, Christians and non-Christians, receive in-depth instruction in God's Word. Those who work with the School conduct an active outreach program of evangelism, which results in hundreds of conversions each year. We are excited to report that due to the efforts of our missionaries and teachers we are also beginning to see results in the neighboring countries of Malawi and Zambia. People continue to be taught, and congregations are being established on a regular basis because of the efforts of those associated with the school.
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