Pastor Training in Nigeria

Nigeria is a nation of 140 million people on the coast of West Africa, the most populous nation in Africa, where African Leadership has been training pastors and church leaders since 1998. As of March 2008, we have 462 students attending 33 classes in 30 training centers, with over 1600 graduates who are active in church ministry.

Our National Director for Nigeria is Rev. Michael Adeboye. Michael organizes and administrates the AL learning centers, in Nigeria, where more than half the population (69 million) are Muslim, and 40% (54 million) are Christian. Pastor training is essential for the health and growth of the church in Nigeria, to have mature leadership that will be supportive in propagating the gospel of Christ. Nowhere is there a greater need for church unity, especially with such a large Muslim presence. The vast majority of Nigerians are poor, with a national average income of only $640.00 per year. With very few resources for pastors or church leaders to go to school or seminary, when responding to a call for church leadership, they often draw from what little they learned from their prior church experience, usually untrained leadership, as the majority of church leaders have no formal training, and often little education beyond secondary school.

"As an Elder and student of BTCP Ebute Meta Centre, I have found that the African Leadership training manuals are the most valuable books in my library. I have learned systematic study and exposition of scripture, helping me to better teach Sunday School classes. I appreciate African Leadership's National Director, and their tireless efforts to make the training available. May the Lord uplift your ministry in Jesus' name." M.T. Ogungbemi

African Leadership is thankful to have a presence in Nigeria. As African Leadership equips National Directors like Michael and his colleagues to spread the Gospel in churches and communities throughout Nigeria, we are grateful for the support of our donors who make this national transformation possible. As we visit with our African Directors and attend graduation ceremonies, we are amazed at the dedication of these pastors. They usually work full time jobs in addition to their pastoral workload, while attending classes 2-4 days a week. Their desire to be better teachers and preachers is reflected in their joyful completion of the 2-year program, which provides comprehensive training in all phases of church leadership, equivalent to a foundational-level seminary or Bible College degree, utilizing a 10-course, 2,500-page Bible centered curriculum, developed by Dr. Dennis Mock and translated into a nine African language by African Leadership.

Students attending leadership classes need support in every way possible, so they may complete their courses, and minister to their congregations with biblical maturity. All 33 classes need financial support for feeding the students, support for teachers, and for travel costs. It is a wondrous work of grace that so many pastors find the strength for attending training, as the truth of the Gospel is the only hope for most of these people, living in one of the poorest nations in the world.

Please pray for Michael and his family and staff, as they labor to bring hope to the communities of Nigeria, by increasing the impact of the Gospel through training of pastors and church leaders. African Leadership-Nigeria hopes to graduate some 250 students each year, who, when their training is finished, will periodically attend alumni training for HIV/AIDS issues, Islam apologetics, and financial management. Hopefully, from the networking of these alumni and teachers, new training centers may be established, spreading the word about our Training Program, resulting in more pastor registrations, and expanded educational outreach for the maturity of the Church.

With such immeasurable need for training of pastors and church leaders, African Leadership is working to bring accessible, affordable training to Nigeria for the vitality and health of the Church. The African Leadership team members and teachers face extreme travel difficulties, with dependable vehicles always in short supply, as they organize and teach their classes. Please consider how you might lend your support, as you pray for Michael and his familiy and staff, as they labor to bring hope to the communities of Nigeria, by increasing the impact of the Gospel through training of Pastors and church leaders.