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The Teacher as Mentor - Building Relationships
By Ray Warwick, Academic Dean
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Have you ever heard this said: "Do as I say, not as I do"? Perhaps you have even said that. Of course, that comment is usually uttered when a leader acts in a manner which contradicts what he expects from others. We would be pretty safe in calling this hypocrisy!
At ACU, we want to avoid that perspective. We are committed to mentoring our students as well as teaching them. That includes the matter of modeling how a Christian behaves and lives for our students. Do as we do as well as what we say. Why? Because we are dealing with God's created truth, and we believe one of the most powerful teaching methods is building mentoring relationships.
We have good biblical precedent for this. We need only think of Paul's instruction to two of his "students," Timothy and Titus. Consider Paul's approval of Timothy imitating him* in 2 Tim. 3:10-11: "You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, my patience, my love, my steadfastness, my persecutions, and sufferings that happened to me at Antioch, at Iconium, and at Lystra ..." Notice that it was not only the content of doctrine that Paul offered to Timothy, but his very way of life. Timothy, then, was to model this method of teaching to others. "Let no one despise your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity" (1 Tim. 4:12).
Paul furthermore exhorted Titus, "Show yourself in all respects to be a model of good works, and in your teaching show integrity, dignity, and sound speech that cannot be condemned, so that opponents may be put to shame, having nothing evil to say about us" (Titus 2:7-8). This personal approach to discipleship was not uncommon for Paul. (Read Phil. 3:17; 1 Cor. 4:14-17; 1 Cor. 10:32-11:1; and 1 Thess. 1:4-7.) We regularly see Paul exhorting his disciples to imitate him, not only in his doctrine, but in his way of life. His confidence in this was that he was imitating Jesus.
Colin Marshall and Tony Payne, in The Trellis and the Vine, add, "The important point here is that training is inescapably relational. It cannot be done in a classroom via the supposedly neutral transferral of information. The trainer is calling upon the trainee to adopt not only his teaching, but also the way of life that necessarily flows from that teaching" (emphasis mine).
There is an expression that is commonly used in educational circles: "Knowledge is more often caught than taught." We want students to not only know truth intellectually, but also do truth applicably. This requires a holistic education that lovingly models and demonstrates the implications of God's truth as it relates to life issues. And that requires relationships.
In a sense, although teachers evaluate students in a formal way, students evaluate teachers in an informal way and decide to either follow the teacher's example, or reject the teacher's application of truth. The biblical model requires interpretation and application of God's truth in a way that brings glory to God. Marshall and Payne talk about the "three Cs" of teaching. "Through personal relationship, prayer, teaching, modeling, and practical instruction, we want to see people grow in:
* conviction - their knowledge of God and understanding of the Bible
* character - the godly character and life that accords sound doctrine
* competency - the ability to prayerfully speak God's word to others in a variety of ways."
I would emphasize that this model is effective not only in instruction in biblical truth, but also in every area of God's created truth. All truth is God's truth.
Sometimes I like to reflect upon my days and think of those people who have most profoundly influenced my life. Such people include my dad, my brother-in-law, my best friend from college, my favorite college professor, my favorite professional mentor, and, of course, my beloved wife. These are people who have not only touched my life, they have shaped my character. I am who I am today because of their godly ministry in my life. It is not simply that they have influenced my mind, but they have impacted my heart. How did they do so? They loved me and cared for me and took the time to live out the realities of their beliefs before my eyes. They modeled what a person of God in each of their spheres of life is supposed to be. They knew me, but just as importantly, they let me know them. They have been my mentors / teachers.
May African Christian University have the profound privilege of touching minds and hearts and building relationships with countless students in the years ahead. May ACU teach to the hearts as well as the minds of students for generations to come through sanctified instruction, mentoring for discipleship, and by modeling godly lives for the glory of God, the good of His people, and the expansion of His kingdom on the earth.
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* I credit Colin Marshall and Tony Payne from The Trellis and the Vine for most of the substance of this article.
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Testimony of a Young Volunteer
Who is Starting a University
By Mwape Mbewe
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"I am starting a university," have been the words of at least one church leader every Sunday. At some point it began to sound like a statement I could get used to but which had no deep meaning for me. It wasn't till my dad called me in the afternoon on Tuesday, 10th June, asking if I was willing to volunteer at African Christian University (ACU). Let me tell you the story.
My dad knows of my ability to sleep until I can sleep no more, as well as not getting tired of sitting around doing nothing. I guess he feared that I would be putting these abilities to great use during my three month vacation, so he figured he better get my teeth into something quickly. So, being the lovely child I am, I was totally up for it and so psyched about it. After speaking to Uncle Ken Turnbull, the Vice Chancellor of the university, I was informed that my help was needed "yesterday." During dinner my excited dad kept cracking jokes as his face was glowing with excitement about his daughter's first day of work. My sister, Mwila, and I had a good laugh about it. You have got to love his spirit! A week later I was still wondering whether it was excitement about me finally using my time for ACU where he is Chancellor or excitement about getting me out of his house for a few hours. I'd like to believe it is the former.
So the next day came. After many minutes of convincing myself to get out of the comfort of my bed, I finally got up and prepared for my first day at ACU. Dad dropped me off and I was well received by Uncle Ken who explained to me the work I would be doing for the next three months. It then slowly started to dawn on me that ACU is real and I am really part of the large body of believers who are starting a university. That is how it all changed. They, no, I am starting a UNIVERSITY!! I have been spending quite some time here at ACU helping with the prayer updates that go out once every month as well as other projects.
Okay, story over. I have many thoughts about ACU and would like to share a few. The work God is doing here is beyond amazing. It has been such a blessing being surrounded by people who have dedicated their entire lives to God's service. If the Bible added pictures of people whose lives apply to verses, their pictures would be right by Matthew 16:24-25, "Then Jesus said to His disciples, 'If anyone wishes to come after Me, he must deny himself, and take up his cross and follow Me. For whoever wishes to save his life will lose it; but whoever loses his life for My sake will find it...'" Come to the ACU office on any day and you will see the fulfillment these ladies and gentlemen have found in sacrificing their lives for this cause, denying themselves.
They have denied themselves the comforts of their homes and being close to their families who they are so attached to. They have literally uprooted their lives, some coming from as far afield as the USA and Canada. I am doing my degree, Bachelor of Commerce, in Kabwe which is a two hour drive from Lusaka, my home town. I come home to visit at least once per month because I miss my family so much, especially my five-month old niece, Katongo who I love so much. My point is that I am in the same country as my family; I can easily pick up my phone and call them any second of the day or night and feel a little better, but of course not better enough to keep me away for more than a month. These lovely people who have come all the way from other continents have left their children, parents, siblings, nieces, nephews, and grandkids to start a life here. They can't randomly pick up their phones and call their families due to challenges like cost and time differences, neither can they randomly fly back home for a week's visit. In addition to that, they are here and have to adjust to a new culture. They occasionally fall ill due to changes in climate and environment, in addition to many other possible reasons. I don't mean to rub it in their faces as to how much they have sacrificed, or to brag about how my family is more accessible, or how I do not suffer any culture shock from being in Kabwe, my point is that it's a 180 degree change, but they choose to stay, for the love of God and ministering through this university.
In addition to the sacrifice they are making, believe it or not, this isn't a financial, profit-making venture for them; it is a soul-winning and discipleship venture. They are not here to expand their bank accounts but to extend God's kingdom. They are not getting paid for doing what they are doing here at ACU. I, personally, stand amazed after reflecting upon these facts about these people who have left the comforts of their homes. When I sit and really think about this I am left asking myself what am I doing as a youth for Christ who I claim to love, especially as a youth who is starting a university? How am I contributing to ACU? I am absolutely grateful for this opportunity to interact with these people and see how much loving God can lead one to sacrifice for Christ's sake. So much is happening here at ACU; seeing how joyful these ladies and gentlemen are as they labour is simply amazing. I can only pray that God answers our prayers as we pray for different aspects pertaining to this university and that His will may be done.
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By Elder Wilson Tembo, Dean of Students
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 Rising behind the buildings at the ACU campus is the Olive Doke Pavilion. Most of the space is to be used as an outdoor meeting area for classes, eating, and sharing life and God's Word. The container for the library is situated under the far side of the Pavilion thus sheltering it, as well as the books and the other resources soon to be housed inside, from the intense sun and pouring rain
As the ACU campus prepares for classes to start in a couple of months' time, I want to share with you some things about Olive Doke, the lady after whom this pavilion is named, and the Christian legacy she and others brought to Zambia.
Olive Carey Doke was born in Bristol, England in 1891 and moved with her family to South Africa in 1903. She was the daughter of a pastor and from a family of missionaries. She gave her heart to the Lord before the age of 12. In 1916, at the age of 25, she joined her brother as a missionary sent by the South African Baptist Missionary Society to Lambaland, Northern Rhodesia (in what is now the Copperbelt area of Zambia) where she lived for the rest of her life on or near the Kafulafuta mission station.
Doke was a remarkable and humble woman. She gave her life in service to the Lord until her death in 1972. Some of the ways the Lord used her were through sharing the gospel, discipling believers, starting a school, and translating the scripture and other books into the Lamba language. Peggy Jennings, a journalist, said of Olive Doke in a 1965 article, "If she wasn't teaching at the mission she was trekking on her evangelistic work, or making roads or building. In her spare time she did translations. Among them are Pilgrim's Progress ... the Bible, school books and religious booklets.
Another wonderful thing about Doke is that she worked well with the national believers (e.g., Paul Kasonga & Anasi Lupunga) as they shared the gospel and discipled the Lamba believers. When she arrived in 1916, there was only one Lamba believer. More than 50 years later, she could say, "[W]e praise God that at our recent Jubilee we gathered in His name a company nearly 600 and that was only representative [of the Lamba believers]."
The Olive Doke Pavilion will help to remind us to serve the Lord together, taking up the torch of the gospel from those who have gone before us to pass on to future generations. The space under the pavilion will provide a special place to accomplish this task through the sharing, preaching, and teaching of God's Word and housing the Jonathan Edwards Library.
"Therefore, since we are surrounded by so great a cloud of witnesses, let us also lay aside every weight, and sin which clings so closely, and let us run with endurance the race that is set before us, looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith..." Hebrews 12:1-2a (ESV)
Information & quotes about Olive Doke taken from:
Mbewe, Conrad C. "Insights from the Lives of Olive Doke and Paul Kasonga for Pioneer Mission and Church Planting Today." Diss U of Pretoria, 2013. Web. 11 July 2014.
 [The picture to the left shows Olive Doke standing, with Paul Kasonga and Anasi Lupunga holding the framed certificate they had signed in honour of her].
"To whom we love, Walona Olive Doke: We, the members of the church at the Kafulafuta Mission, want to tell you that we love you very much because of your work in our midst. We thank God that He sent you to help us and live amongst us these eighteen (18) years. We pray that God may bless you abundantly and give you joy and send others to help." (Greening, 1934:2)
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Give thanks to God for the global prayer support of so many faithful servants.
Thank God for the growing commitment through the giving of the saints and churches in Zambia; the 450 Campaign continutes to grow! "...and all of these things will be added unto you."
We thank the Lord for a large gift from a donor in the USA along with the many ongoing donations that keep ACU moving forward.
We're grateful for the expression of support from various churches and individuals in South Africa towards the purchase of chairs and tables for the ACU classrooms.
God has been gracious in settling the new people working with ACU into their roles, and unifying the team together in their purpose. May God be glorified in the labor being accomplished!
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Pray for the registration process with the Zambian Ministry of Education. We need this before classes begin in September.
Pray for progress in the building projects, ablution blocks, library, pavilion, and also for the safety of the workers. Registration is depedent on completion of building projects.
Pray for the upcoming radio interview to promote ACU Scholars Programme. Ken Turnbull, David Wegener, Ronald Kalifungwa, Wilson Tembo, and Ray Warwick will be participating in a two-hour Q&A program.
Pray for God's provision for Davey Hoffman (Maths) and Carlos Paul (Theology) who continue to seek support to come to minister at ACU.
Pray for wisdom, dedication, and perseverance for the various ACU Board sub-committees who need to direct the progress in the areas of Resource Mobilization, Administration and Finance, Academics, and Infrastructure Development.
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Seeking Help
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If God has gifted you as an artisan of excellence in any aspect of the construction trade, consider discipling colleagues and students with ACU. Please contact us if you believe God is calling you to serve His kingdom work in this way.
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Links
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A Letter From Kabwata
African Donations
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