The ACU Monthly Prayer Update

ACU Has Begun!

By Dr. Ken Turnbull, ACU Vice-Chancellor

I hope you've had a chance to either meet, read a testimony or hear from one of ACU's pioneering students. The Scholars Programme, a Christian worldview, pre-university program preparing students for entering university, was initiated in March 2016. From small beginnings, the outcome is already producing abundant fruit.

The first 25 students are completing the second term. Of those students, 21 students are sponsored through Family Legacy, an organisation for vulnerable children coming from various secondary schools around Lusaka, one student is from the stake-holding Reformed Baptist churches, and three students are from the Tembisa township of Johannesburg, South Africa. Significant academic improvement has been observed in nearly all of the students enrolled. However, the most overwhelming testimony has been the spiritual impact that has been experienced through the first two terms of the Scholars Programme.

It is estimated that as many as 80% of the students were likely unregenerate, having no experience of a true relationship with Christ, upon entrance into the Scholars Programme. Starting in the early weeks of classes, many students began giving testimony of the impact that things being taught at ACU were having not only in their own lives, but in the lives of their families, amongst friends and through other associations. One student had a born-again experience in Christ during his first few weeks at ACU. Soon after, he shared how his aunt was going to curse him if he didn't stop reading "those ACU books." In response, at ACU he was guided to read Scripture related to curses, the promises made to one in Christ, and the confidence of truth that the believer has in Christ and the Word of God. He has come to learn that his confidence and response to such threats can be founded on God and His Word. He has continued to grow and testify of the transforming work of Christ in His life and the lives of those around him.

Many such testimonies have been experienced. The work of the Holy Spirit is evident in the lives of the students as they continue learning. Advancements in the way they speak, the language they use and their abilities to discuss issues of life, truth and faith are blossoming and being noted by those with whom the students associate. Such testimonies are the joyful fruit that those working with ACU are blessed to hear and experience. The grace of God is clearly active!

Through the prayers and support of the stake-holding churches of the Reformed Baptist churches in Lusaka, God has successfully lifted ACU off of the ground. The prayers and support of the various international ACU organisations have greatly assisted, as well. But this is only the beginning of the vision for ACU to be a continental force of transformation through the living out of experiential faith in Christ in all vocations and in every sphere of life. ACU needs the prayers and solid support of the national, continental and global church to advance the cause of cultural transformation as the gospel and its impact is multiplied across Africa through the graduates of ACU.

The seeds of the ACU vision are being spread. The need for cultivation by faithful Christian workers, administrators and faculty members in all of the academic disciplines is pressing. Please pray that God will call the faithful who are ideally equipped for serving Him through ACU. Please pray for the students who God will prepare to experience the life-transforming education that ACU is developing to prepare ambassadors of Christ in all vocations. May we diligently work side-byside for the faith of the gospel to lay the foundations of faithfulness that will leave the kind of Christian worldview education that will shape the culture of Africa's future generations for the glory of God.

Interview with Chali Tumelo-Chakonta, ACU Clerk of Works

By Lisa Turnbull

ACU: Tell us about your educational, work and ministry experience. Chali: I did both my undergraduate and postgraduate degrees in the U.K. at the University of Salford Manchester. I studied civil engineering at undergraduate level, and structural engineering at masters level. Since leaving university, prior to my employment at ACU, I worked at an engineering consultancy as a structural/bridge engineer.

I haven't had any formal ministry experience. However, I used to assist in the reading of Scripture for a clinically blind preacher, both in bible study and church sermons (this was while I was doing my undergraduate & masters degree). Prior to my time at university, I spent time with younger believers, helping them understand things about their faith and scripture (informal Bible studies).

ACU: How did you come to a saving faith in Jesus Christ? Chali: I came to a saving Faith in Jesus Christ through hearing about the gospel on several occasions during my later years in high school. The first message I heard, that convicted me, focused on sin and our separation from God, and how a way has been made for us to return to a right relationship with God. A couple of months later, I heard another message where the pastor was addressing believers on their duty to preach the Good News to their unbelieving friends and family. He argued that there's no knowing of how much time a person has left this side of eternity; therefore, it was necessary for them to preach, before it was too late. After that sermon, I went back to my room (I was at a boarding school at the time) and prayed. I asked God to forgive me of my sins and for him to lead me away from sin, so that I can follow him faithfully. This was in September of 2007.

ACU: What did you know about Christian education before learning of ACU?
Chali: I didn't know much about Christian education. I thought that could only be done in seminaries, and/or through Christian parents who do homeschooling.

ACU: How did you learn about ACU? Chali: I learnt about ACU from my brother and from other members of Lusaka Baptist Church.

ACU: What are your responsibilities at ACU? Chali: As the Clerk of Works at ACU, my main responsibility is to make sure that work regarding the construction of the Chisamba campus is being done (i.e. the preparation work that needs to be done before the construction begins). Other responsibilities include, but are not limited to, the Student Labour Programme and working on the facilities we are based at in Ibex Hill (e.g. modifying one of the containers into a computer room).

ACU: How do you think ACU will impact the graduate and Zambia/ Africa?
Chali: I think ACU will impact the graduate both on a spiritual level (i.e. the spiritual/maturity of the graduate) and academic level, as well as the work ethic of the students which leads to having an impact on the African (and Zambian) work ethic overall. As ACU grows, I believe, God willing, that it will have more of an influence on Africa at large.

ACU: Is there anything else you would like to share about ACU? Chali: Once a week, the faculty takes time to listen to the students and pour wisdom into their lives. These sessions usually address things that matter most to the students and are also used as an opportunity to mentor the students. We look at topics suggested by the students from a biblical world view (i.e. searching Scripture and applying Its truths to the topic at hand). I find this to be a very good way for students to know how to apply what they are learning (through Scripture as well) in lectures. Also some topics may not be covered at length within a lecture session, so these mentoring sessions allow for such topics to be discussed. I find that this is very helpful for both faculty and students. For faculty, because it helps us gauge where a student is in their walk and in their understanding of what they learn - it allows us to connect with them better. For the students, it provides them with a safe place to discuss matters that may be most troubling (or just puzzling) to them.

It's a beautiful sight to see scripture used in the discussions we have, not just our mere human opinions. Sola scriptura... Soli Deo Gloria.

Interview with Koketso Mmekwa, ACU Student

By Lisa Turnbull

ACU: Where do you live? Koketso: I live in new Kasama, Lusaka, Zambia.

ACU: What church do you attend? Koketso: I attend church at Evangel Baptist Church while in Lusaka.

ACU: How are you paying for your education at ACU? Koketso: I am currently being sponsored by the Student Scholarship Fund at ACU as well as funds from family and friends from my church in South Africa.

ACU: What has been the most impacting thing you have learned in the classroom at ACU? Koketso: What has had an impact on me in class has to be The Grand Narrative course and how we as students interact with the various topics contained within it. Much of my growth has been realized through this course since it is purely Bible based.

ACU: What are your thoughts on the Student Labour Programme? Koketso: The Student Labor Programme is providing me with the necessary skills I need in order to be independent and competent for labor of any kind. It's fun and educational. It's there to equip us individually and teach us how to work as a team.

ACU: What would you say to others about ACU? Koketso: God honors those who honor him, even in the aspect of education because African Christian University is a place where we are taught not only what to think, but how to think. It is one of the places I get to gaze upon the face of God with awe at what he is able to do through education.

ACU: What would you like to do after you complete university? Koketso: I would like to pursue IT depending on what ACU is able to offer at that time.

Check out our new construction video!

Seeking Help

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
wor k in this way. Email: inf o@ac u-zambia.com

Current Faculty Needs:

Theology, Education, Business and Agriculture

with future expansion to cover

all humanities and sciences

In This Issue

ACU Has Begun!

Interview with Chali Tumelo-Chakonta

Interview with Koketso Mmekwa

Prayer

Praise

Print this Update

Prayer

* ACU-USA will have its board meeting on 30 August, so please pray for them as they serve in this endeavor.

* Pray for the safe completion of the new computer lab.

* Please pray for the students as they take their final exams of this quarter 31 August through 2 September.

* Pray that the ACU-Zambia board will be guided and strengthened for the many tasks involved in unifying ACU's governance.

* May God's wisdom lead the work on the ACU constitution as a foundation for many generations of ACU's development.

Praise

* We greatly appreciate the faithful prayers of all those that support ACU.

* The library continues to expand as more of the donated books get catalogued.

* We are grateful for the assistance from those at Bethlehem College and Seminary in the work of ACU's accreditation application.

* We are thankful for the continued interest and support as Dr. Ken Turnbull shares about ACU in the USA.

Print this Update

Download a copy of the ACU August Prayer Update to print and hand out at your church.

Needs

Links

Help us build the Jonathan Edwards library collection. Our immediate need is in the disciplines of education agriculture and business. These books do not need to be explicitly Christian, just intellectually informative, legitimate and current. Please help us with this important request.

for further information, please contact [email protected]

By sponsoring a student, you can make a direct investment in his or her life and future. Equipped with a degree from ACU, our graduates will be better able to care for their families, and as ambassadors for Christ, to revitalise their communities for the glory of God. A one-year sponsorship can help ensure that a student succeeds at ACU and ultimately graduates. Any amount will help make a difference. Thank you!