A Brief History of Pastors' School
Watch a 6 minute video overview of Pastors' School here or a 2 minute
video of the 50th anniversary (2013) here or just read on!
The first session of Kafakumba Pastors' School was held in 1963 at a small compound that had recently been built on the shores of Lake Kafakumba in the Democratic Republic of Congo. The school grew out of a situation that developed in the Congo where the United Methodist Church opened a large number of congregations in villages throughout the southern area of the country; however, there were few trained clergy to work in these villages.
Each small congregation would have a leader, but the leader often had no training at all. Kafakumba Pastors' School allowed these lay leaders to come for 4-6 weeks a year over an 8 year period and receive education that would allow them to lead their congregations better, as well as become ordained as ministers in the United Methodist Church. It was also soon recognized that these village pastors held an important position within the community and were able to share information concerning health, agriculture, development, and other needs in their village environment. The Kafakumba Pastors' School broadened its curriculum to incorporate some training in these areas also.
The school was held at Lake Kafakumba, D. R. Congo every year until 1998, with the number of students growing to about 120. Half of the students (those who had attended the school for at least four years) were allowed to bring their wives and young children. A complete program was set up for the wives and children as well. In 1998, major political unrest erupted in the Congo and continued until 2005 and beyond. During that time the school opened a new campus in Ndola, Zambia, which lies near the Zambia/Congo border.
A facility was purchased in the Fisenge area (near Ndola, Zambia), and after only a one year break, the Kafakumba Pastors' School resumed under John Enright's leadership. Students come from the Democratic Republic of Congo, Zambia, and Tanzania (with occasional students from other countries). That program continues today at the Zambia location with approximately 60 pastors, as well as at the D.R. Congo location with about 110 pastors. In addition, many of the pastors' spouses and children attend as well.
The annual Pastors' School is the premiere event at the Kafakumba Training Center. It is the means by which we equip and train pastors to carry the
Good News of the Kingdom throughout Central Africa. Pastors' School is also an expensive activity, requiring annual funding of about $70-80,000 from friends and donors as well as many volunteer hours from teachers and helpers.
The Kafakumba Pastors' School Foundation
The Foundation is a vehicle for providing a permanent source of funding for the Kafakumba Pastors' School. Established in 2011, the Fund's goal is initially to raise $1,000,000 to be invested under the control of a legal Foundation. We are currently (in 2019) about 2/3 of the way there! Our hope is that the interest earnings from the fund will completely offset the costs of the Pastors' School, but our hope is to leave the principal untouched. If you would like more information then please...
Click here for a flier with more info on how to donate to the Pastors' School Fund
OR click here to give online.