Project Description
THE NEED
In 2018, the Rwandan government began to require that all pastors have degree, however due to financial or constraints of lower education, only 5% of pastors meet this requirement.
- Africa needs strong disciples of Christ to lead by example, yet there is a lack of servant leadership displayed in many homes and communities
A high percentage of churches throughout Africa, especially in rural areas, are led by inexperienced pastors who lack knowledge of healthy church development practices and policies
LEADERSHIP & CHURCH DEVELOPMENT
Church and leadership development conferences is a more flexible and accessible conference structure than The Leadership Institute. Hosting leadership conferences focused on church development, servant leadership, mentorship, community outreach, and other relevant topics can greatly benefit church and community leaders seeking to enhance their skills and impact. These conferences can be hosted by TLAfrica as a partnership with our supporting churches and benefactors, or local churches can host themselves and invite speakers like Dr. Faustin and the TLAfrica staff enabling more communities to benefit from their expertise. This decentralized approach also fosters a sense of ownership and empowerment within local churches, as they take the initiative to host and customize the conferences according to their specific needs and context. Overall, it’s a proactive strategy for promoting leadership development and strengthening community engagement within churches.
| YEAR | TOPIC | LOCATION |
|---|---|---|
| 2013 | Follow Up Conference? | Kenya |
| 2019 | Spiritual Formation | Rwanda |
| 2021 | Church Growth | Kenya |
| 2021 | Self-Reliance for Church & Ministry | DR Congo |
| 2023 | Best Preaching Practices | Kenya |
| 2023 | Effective Biblical Preaching | Kenya |
| 2023 | Mentoring for Leadership | Rwanda |
| 2023 | Self-Reliance for Church & Ministry | Rwanda |
| 2023 | Leadership & Management | DR Congo |
| 2023 | Effective Biblical Preaching | Rwanda |
HOW IT WORKS
Two Options :: A partner church inquires about teaching a conference OR a local church invites Dr. Faustin to teach on a specific topic at their own church
IF Dr. Faustin is invited to speak and the local church is hosting, the request is a result of one of the training manuals written by TLAfrica and are often a 1 day conference or a guest sermon during their regular services
IF TLAfrica is hosting the conference, the staff will determine which communities have a need for the topic being offered and will begin the logistical planning
Invitations are shared with all local pastors and leaders in the surrounding region and beyond
- The teaching pastors prepare their own materials and logistics for the classes
Each conference that TLAfrica hosts will range from 3-5 days of teaching that consists teaching sessions, break-out sessions, Q&A times, a provided lunch break, a time for application and practice teaching what they are learning, and fellowship
“My name is Dancun Jiveri. I am a husband and a father. I am the pastor of Riverside Pentecostal Church in Mwembe, Vihiga County. The church has about 88 members. I have a Diploma in Bible and Theology from a local Bible college.
Our interaction with TLAfrica began in 2021, when I attended a conference themed ‘Healthy Shepherd, healthy sheep.’ One thing that I learned from that seminar is that I should have holistic health, as a person who shepherds others. In the past, I used to get fatigued from running every program in the church. At the conference, I learned how to delegate, allowing others in the church to share their God-given gifts and take ownership of various ministries and tasks. I mentored some members in the church to lead the children, youth and cell groups. These leaders were also in the conference and it challenged them to be active participants in God’s work. We even started a leaders’ prayer meeting every Thursday to pray for each other and for the church. This delegation of tasks relieved me and now I am able to focus more on my key roles and serve my congregation better. I have seen spiritual and numerical growth in my church with this initiative.
The second seminar was in 2023, about ‘Preaching Biblical messages.’ The trainers challenged us to beware of heresies, and to carry out the work of preaching with faithfulness to God’s word. They also taught us the skill of sermon preparation. The conference impacted the way that I prepare sermons. I must study the word carefully first before I share it with others.
I would like to have more trainings from TLAfrica, especially in the areas of economic empowerment and discipleship. I would like my church to grow holistically so that as I share the word, I can also hep the youth and women to be able to sustain themselves.”
Dr. Faustin and Florah have been invited to speak at several churches about the biblical instructions and importance for self-reliance and stewardship. Their teachings are shared in the Self-Reliance manual for churches and ministries that has now been translated from English into Kinyarwanda and French with 900 copies total printed and being distributed throughout Kenya, Rwanda and DR Congo.
BACK TO THE BIBLE
BACK TO THE BIBLE
One-week conference offered to every pastor and teacher in the given region
Exposition of one book of the Bible
100 grassroots pastors from Rwanda, Burundi, and the DR Congo come together to study a chosen book and methods of interpretation
They work on how to apply the teaching in their lives, families, and community
Through these conferences, Francois gained the understanding that during adversity, a congregation can thrive rather than falter. This insight proved beneficial when he took on the role of pastor for a struggling church. He embraced the idea that challenges can be turned into opportunities for development. Consequently, the church is now thriving and is on the path to becoming self-reliant financially and has established a Bible institute.
– Pastor François Niyonzima,
a Pastor in the Association the Eglises Baptistes au Rwanda
Pastor Esron has been faithful in passing the knowledge he gained in the training to others. After studying the book of 1st Corinthians in the Back to the Bible conference, he started teaching the same material in his church. In addition to that, he taught his church a method of identifying one’s spiritual gift that he learned in these trainings, and now ten individuals in his church have identified their spiritual gifts. Now this method has been adopted by the church. Church members go through this process before they engage in ministry.
| YEAR | BOOK | COUNTRIES |
|---|---|---|
| 2016 | Daniel | Rwanda & DRC |
| 2017 | 1 Corinthians | Rwanda & DRC |
| 2018 | Revelation | Rwanda & DRC |
| 2018 | Minor Prophits | Rwanda |
| 2019 | Acts | Rwanda |
| 2021 | Luke | Rwanda |
| 2022 | 1 Corinthians | Rwanda |
| 2023 | Philippians | Rwanda |
HOW IT WORKS
A church or biblical teachers inquire about teaching a conference
TLAfrica staff gather information to determine which communities have an interest and need for a conference
- TLAfrica staff work with the hosting teachers to plan the date, location, and curriculum for the conference
Invitations are shared with all local pastors and leaders in the surrounding region and beyond
- The teaching pastors prepare their own materials and logistics for the classes
TLAfrica staff plans all of the registration, travel and preparations for the students attending the conference
- Each conference will consist of morning teaching sessions, break-out sessions for collaboration and small group discussion about the material, Q&A times, a provided lunch break, a time for application and practice teaching what they are learning, fellowship time often with music and dancing, and a certificate presentation at the end of the class
MARRIAGE & FAMILY
TLAfrica’s Marriage Enrichment Conferences provide invaluable guidance to church leaders, emphasizing the centrality of biblical principles in marriage. Delving into pertinent cultural challenges, participants confront barriers impeding marital transformation while learning to navigate the intricacies of ministry partnership within the African context. Addressing topics such as relational dynamics at home, communication styles and parenting, these conferences foster holistic marital growth. The enduring goal is to cultivate a generation of resilient pastors and church leaders, grounded in a worldview of marriage that is firmly rooted in timeless biblical truths, thus enriching families and leading by example to communities across Africa.
2009, Rwanda :: Taught by Dr. Faustin & Ed Morsey from GHFC, CA (35 couples)
2016, Rwanda :: Taught by Mr. & Mrs. Ntamushobora; Mr. & Mrs. Ngewa (35 couples)
2017, Rwanda :: Taught by Mr. & Mrs. Ntamushobora; Mr. & Mrs. Ngewa (30 couples)
2018, DR Congo :: Taught by Shawn, Bill & Iriela from CrossBridge Community Church, TX (40 couples)
2022, Rwanda :: Taught by John Salvesen & Daniel Craig from Bear Creek Church, TX (28 couples)
2023, Rwanda :: Taught by Mr. & Mrs. Salvesen from Bear Creek Church, TX (23 couples)
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“We’re interested in sponsoring a conference.”
Each conference that is hosted by TLAfrica is in partnership with a sponsoring church. Their pastors visit Africa to teach an in depth study on a book of the bible, marriage and family or an aspect of church development and community outreach. For more information on what sponsoring a conference entails, please fill out the form and we will be in touch with more information.