November 2010

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ!

“Unless the Lord builds the house, its builders labor in vain.

Unless the Lord watches over the city, the watchmen stand guard in vain.”

(Psalm 127:1)

Thanks to the Lord for ushering us into another new academic year after a 2 month summer break for the students. We thank Him for His love and protection. Thanks to each of you for your prayers, encouragements and support of our ministry.

The academic year 2010-2011 began well! The orientation week (September 27 to October 1) focused on all three parts of our motto: Biblical Piety, Academic Excellence, and Compassion for people. We devoted the first day to prayer and fasting. Then we explained to the new class of students the meaning and the importance of these three directional values for how we live and work together.  They are now well under way in their first semester that will run until February 21, 2011.

New students joined the campus community. God was faithful in sending 20 new students to B.E.S.T. from five different countries in francophone Africa: Burkina Faso, Central African Republic, Chad, Democratic Republic of Congo, and Senegal. Adama from Senegal and his family came with the determination to get the right training for serving people in their country with its Muslim majority population. Continue to pray for us in this new school year. Pray for God’s guidance and for financial provision for this ministry as we look to graduation day on, July 30, 2011.

New project initiatives. We intend to carry out the following projects this academic year:

Small business entrepreneurship: We are introducing a Christian economic development program as a way of responding to the tremendous challenge of poverty in Africa.  Ms. Ellen Monkemeier arrives in December to oversee this program.

English Language Institute: The English Language Institute, responding to the great interest of people to learn English, will serve as a laboratory for students in the economic development program.

Masters track in Marriage and Family: Last month B.E.S.T. launched a marriage and family concentration in Practical Theology. This program will take advantage of the expertise of one of our faculty members in this area and equip graduates to respond to critical family needs in our African context.

New concentration in Biblical Studies: At the doctoral level we plan to launch a new concentration in Biblical Studies, both Old and New Testaments, next year. Students in the current Systematic Theology concentration will begin defending their theses in 2011.

Curriculum review: Beginning this month we are conducting a survey concerning the relevance of B.E.S.T.’s programs for the African context.  A team composed of pastors, students, alumni, deacons, lay people (men and women) and business people are carrying out this survey.

Students in urgent need of scholarship assistance: We have some new students who are in great need of financial support. Their sending churches contribute as much as they can, covering their transportation to B.E.S.T.  These students need about $1,200 for tuition, $400 for books, and $1,000 for lodging.

Visit of the General Secretary: The newly appointed General Secretary of the Association of Evangelicals of Africa (AEA), the association that founded B.E.S.T., will visit the school on November 10. This will be the first visit by a General Secretary of AEA since B.E.S.T. opened its doors in 1977.

Please pray for:

-  The adjustment of new students and their families to life and work at B.E.S.T.

-  The financial needs of both faculty and students

-  The successful implementation of new project initiatives at both masters and

doctoral levels

May the Lord bless you,

NUPANGA W

President of B.E.S.T.

Gifts from the USA may be sent to BEST via Mtelo Ministries

P.O. Box 871144 Canton, MI  48187 and marked for “BEST student scholarships.”

These gifts are forwarded in total to the school to apply to completing the students’ training, along with their church’s contribution, and to sending them back to serve in their home country.

Gifts from Africa and Europe may be sent to BEST via Ecobank:

For details on how to send funds from your country, please ask BEST for the most recent bank routing information at the email address: fatebfriends@fateb.net