November & December 2023 AIU Newsletter
2023 Freshman Class with Kenneth & Kathryn Wright
As we approach the end of the year, we wish to express our gratitude to our partners who have supported our multifaceted ministry in spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our Outreach ministry, specifically the AIU SENT team, has been actively sharing the gospel among a diverse set of communities and age groups. Through it we have brought the hope of the gospel to prisons, hospitals, public schools, as well as the patients at Chifundo clinic here on our own campus where patients receive both physical and spiritual assistance. Additionally, our students and staff contribute to the local churches, providing biblical teachings and discipleship skills to pastors, church leaders, and members who may not have had formal theological training or the opportunity to attend seminary.
We express our gratitude to God and to all of you who consistently support the ministries of Ambassador International University and Chifundo clinic, allowing them to positively impact the lives of people in this region. As part of our program expansion, we have received requests from the pastors of local churches to send our students to work alongside them in practical ministry. Angel Baptist Church, located a 40-minute drive from our campus, is one such church. In response to their request, we have decided to send some of our students to work alongside the resident pastor. This addition brings the total number of churches we collaborate with through our SENT teams to 14. We ask for prayers for patience and God's wisdom for those responsible for managing our outreach department.
Blessings Bwalya, the Assistant Campus Pastor, paid a visit to Angel Baptist Church on December 3, 2023, to express gratitude for AIU's decision to send students there. Here are his remarks:
We are deeply grateful to God for the numerous opportunities and open doors that have come our way. We kindly request your continued prayers for our dedicated students and staff as they serve in the local Churches and neighboring villages. In the accompanying image, you can see Lazarous Chivunga, one of our esteemed staff members, spreading the message of the gospel during his visit to Angel Baptist Church, accompanied by the Assistant Campus Pastor.
Over the past few years, we have made efforts to explore various avenues that could contribute to our campus becoming more self-sustained. One of the successful avenues has been Agriculture and Gardening. Our campus boasts a well-maintained garden that utilizes irrigation systems, allowing it to operate year-round. Additionally, we have dedicated fields where we cultivate crops that rely on rainfall. We express gratitude to God for sustaining our farming and gardening initiatives. The garden plays a crucial role in reducing food costs at the cafeteria, as a significant portion of the vegetables grown are utilized by our staff and students. Currently, in Zambia, we have entered the rainy season, which typically spans from December to March of the following year. We have already commenced our field work, and the planting process has recently been completed.
After harvesting the corn, we take it to our hammer mills for processing into mealie meal (coarse corn flour), which is then used in the campus cafeteria. By producing our own corn, we reduce the cost of purchasing mealie meal for the cafeteria. This not only benefits the campus but also helps to cut down on overall costs, particularly at the cafeteria. In addition to the cornfield, we have also planted tomatoes and vegetables in the garden on the northwestern sector of the campus. We appreciate the support we have received for our gardening and farming initiatives. Please pray for a good rainy season and the Lord’s strength as we continue our work in the fields.
Ambassador International University is proud to celebrate a successful academic year, and our daycare ministry has been a significant part of that success. The daycare has not only been a blessing to AIU but also to the surrounding villages, providing early education to young children. We are grateful to God for the achievements of our daycare in 2023, and we look forward to the upcoming year as we continue to grow and provide quality education to even more children. The population of our daycare has been steadily increasing, reflecting the growing demand for early education in rural Zambia. Our goal is to transform the lives of these children and lay a strong educational foundation, with a focus on the Word of God. We appreciate your prayers for God's provision and blessings as we plan for the year 2024.
The Voices of Zambia singing group has returned to Zambia after a three-month tour in the USA. Comprised mainly of AIU graduates, the group sings a variety of Christian songs in African languages and English. They also share their testimonies of faith in Jesus Christ and how God has worked through them. During their tour, they visited churches and various locations in the USA, spreading the message of Jesus and raising awareness and support for Ambassador International University. We are grateful for the success of their tour and we thank God for all those who have pledged to sponsor our upcoming 2024 freshmen class. If you have not yet sponsored a student, we welcome your help in providing theological education and increasing the number of trained clergymen. Gospelink and AIU pray for the continued growth of sponsors for our students, and you can be part of the answer to their prayers.
Musonda Blessings Bwalya, a 2023 AIU graduate, recently joined the University as an Assistant Campus Pastor. In this role, he is responsible for overseeing the Campus Community Church, AIU's Chapel programs, scheduling weekly evangelism programs at the Chifundo clinic, managing outreach programs, discipleship programs, and school ministry. Blessings will also provide counseling to students in need and prepare quarterly reports for the Campus Pastor's office. Furthermore, he will play a crucial role in scheduling the annual Bible Conferences held at AIU at the start of each year.
Blessings enjoys interacting with people on a personal level and is motivated by seeing people grow in their understanding and relationship with God through His Word. He has gained valuable insights from his role as a preacher, realizing the importance of wholeheartedly committing to the Word of God. This commitment has had a profound impact on his personal life, as it constantly urges him to seek a deeper understanding of God's teachings. Witnessing the transformation and spiritual growth of individuals brings him immense joy. Blessings hopes that AIU students will embrace the opportunity to learn and live by the Word of God, fostering a community characterized by growth, love, and unity in Christ. He expresses gratitude to God for allowing him to serve in this capacity and requests prayers for strength, wisdom, and a continued desire for knowledge. Additionally, he seeks prayers for effectiveness in fulfilling his various responsibilities.
Jackson, a Junior at AIU in 2023, hails from Chama district, a small town located in the eastern part of Zambia. Being the second born in a family of five, he has one sister and three brothers. Growing up in a religious household, Jackson dutifully attended church during his childhood, solely to comply with his parents' wishes. Through God’s providence, during his time in elementary school, Jackson's path crossed with a man who played a significant role in introducing him to the Christian faith. One day, while Jackson was on the roadside, he encountered a man who was struggling with his broken bicycle. Jackson kindly offered his assistance and as he fixed the bicycle, the stranger took the opportunity to share the gospel with him. Quoting verses from John 3:16 and Ephesians 4:27, the stranger's words resonated with Jackson, leading him to recognize his need for a savior. Consequently, Jackson made the decision to place his faith in Jesus Christ. Since then, John 3:16 has become Jackson’s favorite verse which reads: “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have eternal life.”
Subsequently, he maintained a consistent presence at church and actively participated as a Sunday school teacher alongside his father. As he dedicated himself to this role, Jackson's curiosity about God grew stronger. Therefore, he eagerly embraced the chance to delve deeper into the study of God's Word at AIU when it became available to him.
Jackson encourages his peers and the individuals he serves through AUI's outreach program to prioritize studying God's Word. After completing his education at AIU, Jackson plans to pursue further studies and engage in pastoral ministry. His goal is to faithfully serve God and continue learning about His Word, seeking guidance from those who are spiritually mature. Let us join Jackson in prayer, asking that he successfully completes his studies and remains a dedicated and motivated minister, emphasizing the importance of the gospel to those who are lost.