Building the teachers on the islands

“To say the truth, people they love CFCM because they start by building the teacher, then the children.” These are the words of CFCM trainer, Samson Nkapangalika, from Nkhata Bay. Samson was part of the CFCM team that visited the Lake Malawi islands of Likoma and Chizumulu in August.

Although the team was not involved in any children’s ministry over the seven days, CFCM’s Gospel-focused training program for Sunday school teachers means that children on the islands will in future hear God’s Word and the message of salvation through fully equipped Sunday school teachers.

The team…

The team divided in two so that training could be conducted on Likoma and Chizumulu in parallel. Team leader, Elevate Mizinga, along with Pastor Tembo, CFCM’s trainer from Rumphi, carried out the training on Likoma Island. Joseph Jeke went to Chizumulu Island along with Michael Namalenga, one of CFCM’s Phalombe trainers, and Samson Nkapangalika. Some of the teachers on Chizumulu speak Tonga rather than Chichewa, so Samson was able to help with translation.

The programme…

The programme was the same on both islands: those who had received Level 1 training in 2022 were invited back to complete Levels 2 and 3 over two days. Level 3 involves a practical assessment of teaching children after which successful teachers receive a certificate. Level 3 also involves encouragement and training in setting up community Bible clubs so that non-church children hear the Gospel. This will be particularly valuable on the islands where many children are not in the churches because they are earning money selling fish.

From those who completed Level 3 successfully and showed a passion for children’s ministry and an aptitude for training others, eight were chosen to receive a further five days of training – CFCM’s Training of Trainers course. These eight showed real dedication, setting aside their other commitments to take this valuable opportunity.

The feedback…

“We have been teaching our children a lot of things for a long time, but not the Word of God. Now let us start teaching them the Word of God”. (Khumbo Mwase, Sunday school teacher from Emmanuel Church, Likoma, one of the new trainers)

“Many ministries do not come to the island for a variety of reasons, but CFCM recognises the people in Likoma and that children need the Word. Their training is so focussed on the Word of God. The teaching on child protection will help Likoma children, many of whom are not encouraged to go to school but instead involved in selling fish.” (Bishop Likangala, Chairman of the pastors’ fraternal on Likoma Island)

“I thank God for this opportunity. Now is the time for the children of Chizumulu to hear the Truth” (Martin, Sunday school teacher from the Anglican church on Chizumulu, one of the new trainers – pictured at the top)

The results…

After seven intense days of training, a total of 25 Sunday school teachers have completed the three modules of CFCM’s course, and a further 23 teachers received Level 1 training from the eight new trainers, who will now be able to continue the work of training on the islands. These are the things that are immediately quantifiable – but we know that God will take the labours of CFCM and greatly bless and multiply, for the extension of His kingdom.

The children in many churches now have teachers who are equipped to explain the Gospel clearly to them and to teach them faithfully from God’s Word. These teachers have been built up, inspired to follow the example of Jesus, the Master Teacher, and equipped with Bibles if they did not already own one. Our prayer is that many Bibles clubs will also be established following the training, and that the new trainers will continue to pass on the valuable lessons they have learnt.