“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2
The CFCM Training of Trainers programme started in Blantyre in 2015 with the first group of trainers. Since then the programme has been expanded to a 5-day course, and has taken place in every region of Malawi. Over thirty men and women have successfully completed the course and practical assessment, and are able to train other Sunday school teachers in their areas. Here is how some of them have been contributing to CFCM’s work.
Boster Tembo is pastor of Pentecostal Christ Church International based in Rumphi, in the northern region. “I was already involved in children’s ministry before CFCM came to Rumphi in 2015, but it is CFCM that has sharpened me. CFCM has deepened my understanding of the need to reach children with the gospel; equipped me with skills on preparation and presentation of Bible lessons effectively; and it has helped me to respond more positively to God’s calling to evangelise children.”
“In 2018, CFCM offered me the opportunity to become one of their trainers. This was a milestone to reach more children from within and beyond. I felt that God was expanding my boundaries in evangelising children.”
Pastor Tembo has worked alongside the CFCM staff at seminars in Chitipa and Likoma. He has also organised his own seminars in Phwezi, Mhuju, Mpherembe, Luhono and Misuku, and trained future pastors at the Life-Giving Bible College, a Pentecostal Bible college in the northern region. While at the Likoma Island training, Pastor Tembo helped in the selection and training of the new trainers. “The trainers responded with enthusiasm and commitment. I hope they will help to fulfil the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) as they catch and pursue the heart of God towards the little children (Matthew 18:14).”
Simeon Senifala trained to be a CFCM trainer in Lilongwe in 2016. At the time, he lived in Mchinji, central region, and he started a great work of establishing Bible clubs in local schools. A few years ago Simeon became the Baptist pastor in Mponela. He has already established five Bible clubs and worked alongside Elevate and Joseph in training local Sunday school teachers. He also helped them with the Pastors’ Conference in Mchinji, encouraging other pastors like himself to be more supportive of those working in children’s ministry.
Recently Simeon visited the pastors’ fraternal at Madisi, impressing on them the need to train their Sunday school teachers so that the children hear the Gospel. As a result, a CFCM seminar took place in Madisi on 4th November.
Michael Namalenga has been a CFCM trainer in Phalombe in Malawi’s southern region since 2017, helping run many seminars and Bible clubs.
This year he has travelled with the team to Salima for the Easter 5-day club and teacher training. He described that week as “a wonderful journey” in which he grew as a trainer and a Bible club leader, but also learnt more about organising teacher training seminars.
Michael was one of the local trainers (pictured at the top) who helped coordinate CFCM’s disaster relief to Bible club children who lost their homes in Phalombe during Cyclone Freddy. And in August he was part of the team that carried out Sunday school teacher training on Chizumulu Island, which included training the next cohort of CFCM trainers.
We praise God for the way these men and others like them have proved so committed to children’s ministry and have made themselves available to serve Children for Christ Ministry as volunteer trainers. CFCM plans to involve them even more in 2024 so that the work of Sunday school teacher training really multiplies throughout Malawi. At the same time, these volunteer trainers are Sunday school teachers or pastors themselves, and run their own Bible clubs. We pray that God will bless their children’s ministry and make it fruitful.
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