Equipping Church Leaders in Mozambique for a Lasting Impact
Theological education is crucial for developing and equipping church leaders. Faculty are the chief stewards of what theological education has to offer. The environment of a theological school, as an educational field, is an important part of the formative influence and fostering of leaders of impact for the ecclesial ministry. The church community is also a worshiping sphere that emphasizes the proclamation of the Gospel for life change and safe environment to develop relationships and foster spiritual growth.
As theological educators, we had our skills enhanced by the diligent training that Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary provides to its developing leaders (the students). We trust God to help us continue faithfully to fulfill our calling as we serve others. The theological education and spiritual formation we received at Mid-America equipped us to face with assurance the ministry challenges in the cultural landscape of our mission field that is so diverse and experiencing many difficulties and spiritual warfare.
Our theological education paved the way for us to join God where He is already at work among churches in Mozambique. To encounter the power of darkness and its influence in the culture and community in which God placed us, and to help the church to advance the Kingdom of God here in Africa, we were privileged to be equipped at Mid-America Theological Seminary for which we are ever grateful.
Leadership development has always been a critical task of the church throughout church history. The Bible has models of leadership development through mentoring as a way of leaving a legacy for a sustainable advancement of God’s work. Moses, Paul, and especially our Lord Jesus Christ are models to follow as we seek to invest in other people’s lives for the furtherance of God’s Kingdom in Africa.
Today, and particularly in Mozambique and Portuguese-speaking countries of Africa, there is the need for equipping leaders in an urgent and rapidly changing world. Passing the baton in a meaningful way calls for adequate preparation. Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary invested in our lives to make such a difference and impact leaders in our context of ministry.
The churches are mushrooming in Mozambique. Such growth of the church is not without its challenges. There many cults and prosperity movements emerging throughout Mozambique, which has become a challenge for an ill-discipled church. Few churches have theologically equipped leaders. It is in this area that what Mid-America has provided us during our training makes the difference. Through the Center for Development of Leadership (CDL) we provide the church community assistance with non-formal continuing education and formal training to pastors and church leaders.
CDL provides training seminars which bring together pastors and church leaders from all evangelical churches aimed at assisting pastors. We hold 10 seminars per year offering different topics, ranging from Bible exposition, theological themes, evangelism and missions, and church practices. In addition to the seminars, we also provide a two-year modular course which focus on five pillars: Panoramic View of Old Testament and New Testament, Systematic Theology, Expository Preaching, Evangelism and Missions, and Church Pragmatics.
Formal training includes the two-year Diploma in Theology and four-year Bachelor of Theology programs. Candidates for these programs range from those who have the calling for pastoral ministry to those who intend to strengthen their skills and biblical knowledge to assist the church in its educational programs and outreach ministries. Some of those going through higher education become trainers of others in their respective church communities.
Another challenge that church leaders and pastors are facing in Mozambique which requires accurate theological training is religious syncretism. People easily blend their Christian values and traditional social values. The problem that arises is the confusion when people face life challenges. In the African worldview, God is a Supreme Being removed far away from His creation. People have a hard time understanding His personhood and immanence. Theological and biblical understanding become critical for church leaders as they seek to make disciples among former adherents of African Traditional Religion. They need to have appropriate understanding of the biblical notion of God and other fundamental doctrines of the Christian faith. Because of these theological pitfalls and to enhance leadership skills, we endeavor to provide our church leaders a well rounded education informally and formally. Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary invested in us so that we could also invest in the lives of others in our context of ministry. It is our commitment to continue equipping servant leaders who can serve in such a multi-faith context.
To achieve the goal of equipping church leaders and pastors in Mozambique and other Portuguese-speaking countries, we have encouraged and invited professors to come and teach in their areas of expertise. The invitation is open to theological institutions and church leaders from other countries to join us as we labor to equip leaders for a lasting impact in Portuguese-speaking countries starting where we are—Mozambique.
About the authors
Isaias Uaene is a native of Mozambique, married to Quézia Barros Corrêa Uaene, and they have two children, Samuel Alexander Uaene and Anna Beatriz Uaene. Isaias has earned the ThM (Dallas Theological Seminary), DMIN (Union University), and PhD (Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary). He serves as the Director of the Center for Development of Leadership (CDL), Senior Pastor at Malhangalene Baptist Church, and he also serves as the President of the Consultation Council of the Baptist Convention of Mozambique. Quézia Uaene holds an MA in Christian Education (Dallas Theological Seminary) and MDIV in Christian Education and PhD in Christian Education (Mid-America Baptist Theological Seminary). She serves as the Academic and Student Affairs Coordinator at the Center for Development of Leadership (CDL) and assists the Ministry of Christian Education at Malhangalene Baptist Church with Sunday School curriculum development and training of Sunday School teachers.