October 2024 Newsletter
Training Africa’s Next Generation of Spiritual Leaders
AIU’s 14th Graduation Ceremony!
The AIU Community celebrates the culmination of another academic year.
We have continued to witness the faithfulness of the Lord in the life of our institution. On October 26, roughly 250 people were on campus to witness AIU’s 14th graduation ceremony.
Nineteen students graduated from AIU this year — 17 graduating with a B.A. in theology, one with a diploma in biblical studies, and one with a certificate in biblical studies. The memorable event was attended by representatives from the Zambian government, Gospelink, local churches, and other theological universities, as well as traditional leaders, families, and friends. Dr. Cliff Morris, Chancellor of AIU, was also present, along with AIU staff, fellow students, and members of the surrounding villages.
The class of 2024 represented the countries of Malawi, Zambia, Tanzania, and Mozambique. It was a joy for AIU to graduate a student from Tanzania for the first time. We praise the Lord for His faithfulness! This year’s graduation was commemorated under the theme, “The Mission of an Ambassador of Christ.” Reverend Emile Masabarakiza was the guest speaker for the ceremony and Dr. Robert Sullivan, a visiting American professor, was recognized as the guest of honor. In his speech, Dr. Sullivan commended the graduates for their diligence and challenged them to devote themselves to the Lord.
This joyful moment will stand as a testament in the history of our institution as we continue the work of equipping the next generation of global spiritual leaders. We thank God for the lives of the 2024 graduates and we wish them the very best in their ministry endeavors. Pray with us that our graduates will grow in their desire to serve the Lord in the different ministry opportunities he brings them.
“Graduates, we know that you have endured tough academic challenges; you have exhibited an unwavering commitment to excellence in your service to our Lord. Therefore, I urge you to be Ambassadors of Christ, wherever God sends you. Make it a goal to please the One, who called you into the ministry and protect yourself from sin, by being alert to spiritual danger, studying God’s Word, and praying without ceasing.”
Expanding our Water Storage Capacity!
Plans to increase AIU’s water storage continue to materialize.
We are so thankful to God for our generous partners who gave toward the drilling of a water well. Our dry season usually runs from April through late October each year. During this period, many of our water sources run low, making it difficult for us to have enough water to operate.
With the continued growth of our campus, the need for water also continues to grow. Water is used at the cafeteria, poultry house, garden, student bath houses, staff houses, and for construction projects on campus. On occasion, AIU has gone for hours without water during the dry season. Water is essential for day-to-day operations to be successful.
To address this need, we have dug a new well and are now working on installing connecting pipes and water storage tanks. Our power and water department at AIU continues to work tirelessly to ensure the new well is operational as soon as possible. The included pictures show current efforts to install pipes and water tanks. The new water tanks will be able to accommodate a total volume of 20,000 liters of water. Praise the Lord!
The next phase of the project is adding a submersible water pump to the newly dug well and connecting it to electricity.
We are so thankful to God and all our partners for this wonderful development, which is a huge blessing to the AIU community! Please continue praying with us as we look forward to this success.
Farming Continues at our Campus Garden!
AIU continues to grow toward self-sustainability.
Over the past few years, AIU has continued to venture into farming as a means to achieve our vision of self-sustainability. Our garden on campus remains operational throughout the year, growing different crops and vegetables. In addition to common vegetables, we plant some seasonal crops when the rains come, such as maize, soybeans, and sunflowers.
Since AIU was started, the garden has played a pivotal role in lowering the cost of our food, for both staff and students. Most of the vegetables produced in the garden are worked into meals at the cafeteria.
The garden is also a learning opportunity for our students who work there, leading some to pursue agriculture as a way to support their families and ministries. Participating in this work scholarship department gives our students practical skills in addition to learning the Word of God.
The included pictures show portions of the crops currently growing in the garden. Our crops include tomatoes, watermelons, green peppers, maize, and butternuts. We pray that God will help us continue to increase our production and that someday we will acquire machinery to expand our capabilities. Please pray with us as we continue to work toward self-sustainability.
Third Trimester Comes to an End!
AIU celebrates God’s faithfulness through another academic year.
The third and final term of our 2024 academic year has officially come to an end, and we praise the Lord for its success. Throughout the year, we have seen God’s faithfulness in the lives of our students, local teachers, and visiting professors. The challenges we faced made it clear to us that God is the one who sustains us.
The included pictures show our students attending their last chapel service and writing their final exams for term three.
Our residential students from five different countries — Zambia, Malawi, Mozambique, Zimbabwe, and Togo — have gone on a two-month break and are expected to return early in January 2025.
Some of our students, both local and international, have stayed at AIU, working in various departments to keep our campus running.
Please keep praying with our students as they are on this long break, that they will serve the Lord diligently and faithfully in the different ministry opportunities he will provide for them. We look forward to our students coming back, refreshed and eager to learn more as they prepare for future ministry.
Pray also for the students who have remained on campus, that they will use this break wisely for personal development and to serve the Lord.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT!
HARRISON & CHARITY MULEYA
Non-Medical and Medical Managers, Chifundo Clinic
Shortly after his graduation in 2017, Harrison Muleya returned to the staff of the Chifundo Clinic, where he continues to serve today. Harrison serves as the non-medical manager at the clinic, making sure that all the necessary personnel and equipment are readily available.
Harrison married his dear wife, Charity, on September 25, 2021. A nurse by profession, Charity manages medical care at Chifundo. Her daily routines include providing oversight for members of the clinic’s staff. Additionally, she ensures that the Chifundo adheres to the government’s clinical standards and regulations. Together, Harrison and Charity have been blessed with a son, Asher Lutangalo Muleya (1).
The Muleyas consider it a blessing to serve the Lord through the medical services provided at Chifundo Clinic. They see it as a chance to work with others to support the ministries of Chifundo Clinic and Gospelink. Harrison and Charity are thankful that God has allowed them to be in a position where they can meet both spiritual and physical needs, spreading the gospel and assisting in medical treatment.
“It is a blessing to witness AIU students being equipped spiritually while also being able to care for them physically when they fall ill. This dual role serves as a constant reminder for both me and the students of the truth that God is the healer of both body and spirit. My work holds profound meaning as it allows me to positively impact the lives of young people who will become Africa’s next generation of spiritual leaders. I have the unique opportunity to demonstrate that regardless of where God places us, we are called to be the salt and light of the world.”
The couple looks forward to continuing growth in the knowledge and wisdom of God so that they can continue to serve him faithfully in their daily duties. Pray with Harrison and Charity that they would grow to be a Christ-centered family, loving and cherishing each other always.
STudent SPOTLIGHT!
JOSE LEOPOLDO
Freshman
Jose Leopoldo is a 2024 freshman at AIU, coming from Manika province in the heart of Mozambique. Jose was born into a religious family, along with his four sisters and twin brother.
As a young boy, Jose’s family attended the Catholic church regularly but he never knew what it meant to be a Christian. The family was rocked by the tragic passing of Jose’s father in 2016. Despite having no understanding or assurance of salvation, Jose remained devoted to going to church and hoped to become a Catholic priest someday.
As a high school student in 2019, Jose first heard the full message of the gospel of salvation, proclaimed to him by his twin brother. His brother explained to him that following Jesus is a personal decision and that salvation is not by works but only through faith in Jesus Christ. Jose then placed his faith in Jesus Christ as his Lord and Savior.
For the first time, Jose began to feel and experience the love of God. He felt peace and his desire to do godly things and to fellowship with other believers continued to grow.
In 2023, Jose learned about AIU through a Gospelink pastor based in Mozambique. His desire to know and serve the Lord prompted him to enroll.
“My love for God and other people has continued to grow as I study and learn God’s word in depth. The courses I have taken so far have been helpful to me and I have learned a lot. I have come to learn more about God’s redemptive plan for mankind. It is such a huge blessing to be here and I am so thankful to God for the opportunity to study his word at AIU.”
After graduating from AIU, Jose plans to become a youth pastor in his local church. Also, he hopes to venture into agriculture as a means to sustain his family and ministry.
Pray with Jose that he would finish his studies well. Also, pray with him for the salvation of his family members in Mozambique.