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KNOWING HISTORY BETTER EQUIPS US TO SERVE GOD
By Dr. Conrad Mbewe, Chancellor  

This is a matter that burdens me because there is a lack of appreciation of history among us as Africans. We study history primarily to pass our exams and the moment we do so, we throw it away as if it was a can of worms that we had used to catch the fish that is now in the frying pan.

Why still play with worms when you have already caught the fish?

Well, the truth of the matter is that the fish that we catch using history is not the passing of exams. It is the ability to serve God better. The more we know our history the better we are at serving God in our generation. That is why history is so vital and cannot be done away with.

A good example of this is what the apostle Paul said in 1 Corinthians 10:6- 12. Referring to the history that is recorded for us in the Old Testament, he wrote, "Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, 'The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.' We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come. Therefore let anyone who thinks that he stands take heed lest he fall." These are, indeed, very sobering lessons from history.

You may say, "But this is sacred history and it is different from secular history." That is a very big mistake. All history is God's story. His moral government is the one that is in control of all of history. That is why we are being warned to take heed. God will treat us in the same way!

Knowing history enables us to avoid the mistakes of the past as we seek to live out our Christian lives. As one hymn writer said, "Brothers, we are treading where the saints have trod." History tells us of human beings who tried to take moral short cuts and paid for it dearly.

Knowing history also challenges us to strive harder than we may be currently striving. It points us to individuals who laboured against worse odds than we are facing but who persevered until they achieved great feats, which we benefit from today. We want to emulate such people.

There are many other ways in which knowing history better equips us to serve God, but let me at least add one more. It gives us a long-term perspective on life. It enables us to see ourselves as part of a chain of what God is doing. We become more patient and humble.

What matters, then, is whether we have a true record of history.

That is where we have the greatest challenge in Africa. We do not record history. For instance, the last biography that was ever published of a Baptist leader in Zambia was written in 1956, i.e. 61 years ago. Imagine how much data we have lost between that time and now. 

It is my prayer that as the African Christian University develops, we will ensure that the history of the various disciplines is taught to students so that they can see where they are coming from in that particular discipline and how to contribute to the development of Africa through it.

Initially, that will be quite a challenge because we will want to collect African data. What we largely have is data from Europe and America. Yet, once we learn to do this, it will transform our understanding of where we are in God's story and we will be equipped to serve him better!

INTERVIEW WITH MUSENGE KATONTOKA
By Lisa Turnbull   

ACU: Where were you born?
Musenge: Mansa, Zambia in the Luapula Province

ACU: What church do you attend?
Musenge: Lusaka Baptist Church

ACU: How are you paying for your education at ACU? Musenge: My parents are paying for it.

ACU: What has been the most impacting thing you have learned in the classroom?
Musenge: A lot, so it is a challenge to just think of one. In my mentoring time with Mr. Carlos Paul, we have been looking at a lot of things from the Bible.  He is very encouraging. In the classroom, there is more to these subjects. I have learned how God applies to every subject, and it is helping me to develop a Christian worldview.

ACU: What are your thoughts on the Student Labour Programme?
Musenge:
I am learning to apply it to my home as well. It is the opportunity to practice the cultural mandate. I am taking care of the property here since we are the ones responsible for cleaning it. When I was doing the landscaping, I learned how to make things grow well by making a compost pile and to beautify the campus by pruning the plants correctly. It is all good and helpful for life.

ACU: What would you say to others about ACU?
Musenge: I would say to join us! They will learn a lot from the Bible's Grand Narrative, Language Arts, Maths, Computer Skills and Reasoning and Rhetoric courses. I think it is a nice place to be. Everyone is friendly. There is no mistreatment of students. Every day we are learning about God, and it is building us in our faith.  You will learn a lot about the Bible and the cultural mandate, and that is good for our future.

ACU: What would you like to do after you complete university?
Musenge: I am looking at two possible options: aviation and agriculture in the area of crop engineering.
ACU FACULTY DEVELOPMENT WORKSHOP SERIES  
ACU Fundamentals --
A brief overview presents the unique fundamentals of the ACU Education Philosophy. Topics will include: the Grand Narrative Framework; the Creeds/Confessions; the Puritan Directive; Discernment; the Classical Influence (e.g., Socratic Method, Liberal Arts & Sciences, Disputatio, Personal Assessment, Aesthetics); the Mentor-Cohort Model; Discipleship Focus; the Cultural Mandate and Student Labour; African Emphasis; Team Thesis Projects; and, Christian Scholarship.

Creedal/Confessional Influence & Syllabi Development --
The historic tradition of the Christian faith is preserved in the orthodox creeds and confessions which lead to proper orthopraxy in the Christian life. Foundational to ACU curriculum development in all academic disciplines is the effort to derive knowledge from a well-formed doctrinal understanding. The creeds and confessions are presented as ideal tools to advance abilities in designing such curriculum. Syllabi development is a critical skill which defines course curriculum, its intent and the outcome goals. This will be developed and put into practice beginning in this workshop.


African Traditional Religious Influence --
An African worldview is rooted in the influence of African Traditional Religion. Examination of this in juxtaposition with the Biblical worldview greatly informs an education philosophy subservient to Spirit-led transformation of student thinking and doing. The goal is to equip African students in biblicalgrounded discernment to develop them in practiced, cultural impact.

Classical Influence -- 
Exercising discernment between good and evil requires practice in applying God's Word to the decisions that one continually faces. The classic literature develops a student's thinking from the roots of knowledge development in the worldview contexts of their emergence. Critical thinking and discernment from such a liberal arts and science foundation produces clear and principled thinkers who will truly stand out in the growing relativism and confusion of this age.

Pedagogy in the African, Christian Context -- 
The Christian university classroom greatly differs from the secular classroom. The Christian ethos is keenly experienced through the student-instructor relationship. Developing the expression of faith through the practice of teaching is unique to the Christian instructor. As Paul expressed to Timothy, "You, however, have followed my teaching, my conduct, my aim in life, my faith, ... ." ACU seeks to facilitate the development of faculty members in such pedagogical practice.

Cultural Mandate & Student Labour --

A man-centered "gospel" has permeated Africa with a glaring failure that the church must address. ACU's holistic education approach is intended to equip those in Christ with an "already"-kingdom mindset clearly expressing God's mission. This orients them to apply their education toward fulfilling the cultural mandate through the wise stewardship of their gifts, talents, abilities and knowledge in efficiently utilising the resources of God's creation for benevolent benefit to society and the glory of God.


Contributing to African History -- 
The extreme dearth of written African history presents a challenge that every Christian scholar should attempt to address in any area of research and communication undertaken. This workshop will present approaches to inculcate such endeavours in whatever academic discipline practiced to allow Christian scholarly work to make a unique and important contribution to the development of the African mind for Christ.

Development of Writers & Researchers --
As Christian scholars our faith should deeply inform our work. Scholarship is a work of the mind that should fuel the work of the hands. This workshop is intended to inspire all Christian academicians toward the gruelling and rewarding work of developing and passing on knowledge that will benevolently impact the world now and enhance the following generations for the glory of God.

 
SCHOLARSHIP FUND 

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. 


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: info@acu-zambia.com

Current Faculty Needs:   
Theology, Education, Business and Agriculture  
with future expansion to cover  
all humanities and sciences

* The Faculty Development Workshops continue. Pray that there will continue to be a great turn-out and that God will call out those whom He intends to serve with the ACU ministry.

* Pray for more faculty applicants so that ACU's degree programme offerings can continue to expand.

* Pray for the students as they finish up the second term and write exams the first week of July.

* ACU will begin advertising for enrolment in the 2018 academic year.  Please pray for those students that the Lord is preparing to be a part of ACU.

* Pray that we can begin borehole drilling this week and that God will provide an abundant source of water to sustain the campus in Chisamba.
* The first Faculty Development Workshop went very well. Most of those invited were able to attend and there was enthusiastic engagement in the workshop. God clearly ordained these unique and blessed people to initiate such an enormous vision as ACU.

* We are rejoicing that ACU has received a job number from Zesco (the Zambian electric company) so they can now establish a work schedule to install electric to the Chisamba campus property. Please pray that the work may start very soon.

* We are very grateful for the many volunteers from the stake holding churches that have been helping in the ACU office to accomplish many waiting tasks. It's great to see the faithfulness of so many young saints.

* We are very encouraged to see the transformation of the students as they grow in their understanding of God, in who they are Christ, and in understanding how He provides and enables them for every aspect of life.

* Praise God for all of those who continue to faithfully give to the ACU work. God's provision through His chosen vessels is a glorious work. Thank you for your fellowship with us in this kingdom effort.
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Conrad Mbewe5   
A Letter From Kabwata