I wanted to post an update for those of you following the Bible Training Center in Mekelle, Ethiopia.
In September, we honored 22 students that graduated with Diplomas and another 40 students that earned Certificates. As of today we have 60 students enrolled at the campus in Mekelle. The students are at different levels – pursuing Certificates, Diplomas and Bachelor Degrees through the International School of Ministry. Additionally, our first satellite program is up and running with 50 students enrolled at the prison. How awesome is that?
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| The Bible Training Center |
We rented the three of the available retail spaces on the first floor of the building to an IT school. The rent that they pay will help pay for utilities and other ongoing expenses.
However, there is always a need for additional funding.
When we purchased the facility, the Tigrinya Evangelical Churches Fellowship, the governing body for the school, committed to raising around $17,000 to pay realtor fees and government taxes which come due at the end of this year. I’ve always felt like this was a stretch goal considering that most Ethiopians live on the equivalent of a couple of hundred dollars per month. I didn’t want to doubt God’s ability to clear the path and help them make this happen; however, we’re getting down to crunch time with some of this money coming due fairly soon and I would prefer we not put them in a position of taking out a loan.
Besides paying off the realtor and the government taxes, we also would like to raise funds for a library books and furniture at the school.
We need funds to jumpstart some of the satellite/extension locations in neighboring cities. We’ve had several requests to start new locations but the lack of money and teachers has prohibited this from happening. One of the opportunities involves setting up schools at one of four Eritrean and Sudanese refugee camps in Northern Ethiopia. These camps are home to over 100,000 refugees.
I would like to help them by knocking out the remaining balance for the realtor and taxes and allowing them to focus on running the school, building the extension program and making disciples for Christ. I would like to call upon many of you that have or considered financially contributing to do so to help take away this burden. We have so much more by way of financial resources.
On another note, I’m also working on referring American Pastors/Instructors to Dr. John to line up opportunities to travel and teach at the school. If you have anyone that you would like to refer, please let me know.
I appreciate all of the support, prayer and contributions that have made this school come to life. It has been incredible to be part of God’s plan for building the kingdom in Northern Ethiopia.
Checks can be made to:
New Life Christian Fellowship
MEMO: Ethiopia Bible School
MEMO: Ethiopia Bible School
Mailing Address:
New Life Christian Fellowship
2237 E Reid Rd
Grand Blanc, MI 49439
New Life Christian Fellowship
2237 E Reid Rd
Grand Blanc, MI 49439
