Dr. Jacenta Muigai of African International University has recently completed and published a groundbreaking manual for TLAfrica titled Helpers Within Reach: Counseling Skills for Clergy in Africa. Building on this resource, she led TLAfrica’s first conference on biblical counseling skills, held July 14–17 at the new Thousand Hills Conference Center in Musanze, Rwanda.
The training was offered to TLAfrica’s network of pastors and church leaders in Rwanda, with the goal of equipping them to foster deeper spiritual transformation in those they serve. The manual and conference focus on advanced spiritual formation and biblical therapy, uniquely addressing the generational and cultural realities facing the African church today.
The conference, facilitated by TLRwanda’s project manager Felistus, included an interview with Dr. Muigai highlighting the urgent need for biblical counseling in the African context. She emphasized how cultural patterns, family dynamics, and generational trauma impact individuals, and why pastors must be equipped to respond biblically.
Participants received an introduction to both general counseling and secular theories of psychology, while being shown how counseling rooted in Scripture provides a unique and transformative path. The Word of God meets every need, Dr. Muigai explained, but pastors and church leaders must immerse themselves in the Word to understand it and develop the skills and discernment to apply biblical truths appropriately and effectively in counseling.
Over the four days, attendees engaged in practical training through demonstrations, group discussions, and role-playing exercises. This interactive format helped leaders internalize various counseling techniques while practicing biblical ethics in real-life scenarios.
Irakiza James, General Secretary of Good News Evangelical Church, shared his reflections on the training:
 |
 |
 |
|
