Greetings in the sweet name of our Lord and Savior Jesus
Christ.
I am pleased that all is going well with the preparations
to launch Africa Center for Theological Studies. We are ready to launch
the College on January 14th 2003. Although we are taking a leap of faith,
we are confident that God almighty will bless our efforts.
DISCUSSION AND AGREEMENTS TOOK PLACE ON THE FOLLOWING:
1. The Board of Trustees agreed with the representatives
from Sunset International Bible Institute (Don Myers and Rudy Wray)
to establish a partnership in ministry training School in Gaborone.
2. At the outset, seminar style training coupled with residential and
supervised
field experience training was recommended.
3. Brother Dennis Malepa and Brother Shadreck Boitshwarelo have identified
six men who wish to enter ministry training in the first intake
4. Sunset (SIBI) drafted a ministry training agreement to be signed
by both parties. The agreement was read and approved by the Board of
Trustees to be signed on behalf of the Church in Botswana.
5. As a beginning point in the discussion about SIBI involvement in
the ministry training school in Botswana, with the approval of the Board
they appointed brother Dennis Malepa to spearhead the development of
the school.
6. Upon brother Malepa’s visit to America in August, he teamed
up with brother Don Myers, brother Shane McClung and brother Paul Franks
to fund raise for the school. Hanging Moss Church of Christ graciously
agreed to be the sponsoring congregation for the Resident Dean. We wish
to express our sincere gratitude to the elders and members of Hanging
Moss for their enthusiastic support of the mission.
7. Lack of suitable facilities made it necessary for us to rent out
a house to accommodate the students and use part of it as classrooms.
We will continue to use temporary accommodation until such a time that
we can raise money needed to construct a building for the school.
8. We are planning to launch a serious fund raising campaign both locally
and internationally to set the school on secure financial footing. We
believe both individuals and congregations can make our dream a reality.
Any help is highly appreciated and welcomed even if it is in cash or
kind.
9. In view of our humble beginning with limited human and material resources,
we want to appeal to brethren to sacrifice their God given talents and
blessings to share with the school. A lot can be accomplished through
volunteering your time and service for the work of the Lord. Just contact
us we will find something for you to do.
10. The resident Dean brother Dennis Malepa will work directly with
the Dean of International Studies at SIBI and his staff to develop a
curriculum that we can all be proud of. We enjoy a very unique partnership
with our sister school, Sunset International Bible Institute in Lubbock,
Texas and they will award the certificates for those graduating from
our program.
CRITICAL NEEDS FOR ACTS.
1. Funds for student scholarships.
2. Funds for daily operation of the school
3. Computers for the school, including the ones to be used by students
in their daily assignments and training
4. Funds to purchase a van to be used by the students when they go out
to do their practical attachments and school campaigns.
5. Funds for capital equipments such as photocopiers, overhead projector
and office equipment.
6. Textbooks, Christian books, commentaries, Bible Dictionaries, Bibles
and study materials. (even used ones are welcomed.)
7. Visiting Lecturers who come to teach short- term courses. If you
are qualified and interested in assisting us as a visiting Lecturer,
please contact our office or Sunset so that we can schedule you.
We solicit your continued interest, your constant prayers
and financial support. Please if you want to help, contact us and request
for further information. ACTS needs your prayers, financial contribution
and advice to attain the noble goal of training God’s spokesmen
in Botswana for the evangelization of the world.
SPONSORING CONGREGATION AFFLIATED INSTITUTION
Hanging Moss Church of Christ Sunset International Bible
Institute
AMERICAN REPRESENTATIVES
Paul Franks Shane McClung
Tel. 915 673 7682 Tel. 662 289 1024
BRIEF GENERAL AND FINANCIAL REPORT OF THE LAUNCHING OF ACTS.
By the grace of God we managed to launch the school as
planned on the 14th January 2003. The Board of Trustees participated
in welcoming the students and visitors to our rented facility. ACTS
is a result of intensive consultation, planning and prayers of the saints
both in Africa and America. The orientation week was well spent with
motivational talks, informal discussions and going through what ACTS
is all about.
Number of students who are enrolled in full time program
of study:
1. Ananias Moses from Shakawe
2. Lentswe Ookeditse from Francistown
3. Mothusi Thebeng from Tonota
4. Onkabetse Bendu from Maun.
Two students who were expected to be part of the first
group turned down the offer at the last minute.
The School received four Video Tape Courses with their
full manuals from Sunset International Extension School.
COURSES RECEIVED
1. Minor Prophet
2. Bible History I
3. Bible History II
4. Bible Interpretation.
COURSES OFFERED THROUGH CLASSROOM LECTURES.
1. Old Testament Survey
2. New Testament Church
3. Historical Christian Evidences
4. Evangelism I
Classes meet for four hours daily and students from morning
to Lunchtime and the afternoon are spent in the Library doing preparation
and Research. Since we don’t have our own Library, students use
University of Botswana Library.
SCHOOL OVERSIGHT.
The Mogoditshane congregation where the School is located is overseeing
the School.
Sunset International Bible Institute has the primary responsibility
for the content, quality and availability of the video tapes produced
by the Sunset Extension Department. Although Sunset will not be involved
in the day-to day operation of ACTS, students must comply with the admission
and academic guidelines of the Sunset International Bible Institute
in order to take the courses for credit towards a certificate.
LECTURERS
Dennis Malepa
Shadreck Boitshwarelo
Visiting Lecturers
ADVISORY BOARD
Currently the Board of Trustees is acting as an Advisory Board until
a School Board is elected at the Annual General Meeting of the Churches
of Christ in Botswana.
WORKING AGREEMENT BETWEEN SUNSET INTERNATIONAL BIBLE INSTITUTE
AND AFRICA CENTRE FOR THEOLOGICAL STUDIES.
Please refer to the attachéd copy of the agreement, the agreement
to be signed after the General Meeting ratifies it.
BANK ACCOUNT
The School opened a Current Account with Standard Chartered
Bank, Gaborone Botswana and the following members of the Board of Trustees
are signatories of the account.
Joel Moepi
Joseph Ramotshabi
Dennis Malepa
Boago Modiitsane.
FINANCIAL REPORT
START-UP COSTS.
INCOME - (One time contributions from Churches & Individuals)
Funds from America P 24 000- 00
Local Funds (Individual) 4 500- 00
Chairs (Individual) 840- 00
EXPENDITURE
Photo-Copier 10 000-00
Rental (January-February) 6 000-00
Students Allowances (January-February) 3 000-00
Fridge 1 600-00
Stove (4 Burner Gas) 581-00
Foods 817-60
Official Trip (Shakawe) 969-20
Diesel 350-00
Computer Cartridge 242-00
Chairs 840-00
Board & Markers 457-90
Cylinder & Gas 345-00
Gas Regulator & Pipe 41-36
Books & Bibles 355-00
Desks 900-00
Stationery 183-15
Stamp & Pad 258-00
Postage (DHL) 285-00
Postage (Stamps) 50-00
Iron &Ironing Board 93-00
Standing Fan 64-95
Electrical 25-40
Total Income 29 340-00
Total Expenditure 27 456-56
Expected Balance at the Bank 1 881-44
PROJECTED BUDGET
RECURRING EXPENSES
Student Allowance (Five Students)
. Allowance P500 per student per month 2 000-00
. Rent 3 000-00
Petrol 300-00
Telephone 200-00
Electricity 350-00
Water 300-00
TOTAL MONTHLY OPERATIONS …………………...6
150-00
ONE TIME EXPENSES
Photo-Copier Balance 2 479-50
Overhead Projector 1 000-00
Computer & Printer 6 000-00
Books 10 000-00
Floating /Emergency Fund 2 500-00
TOTAL ONE-TIME EXPENSES………………………21
947-50
