September 2024 Newsletter
Training Africa’s Next Generation of Spiritual Leaders
Discipleship training with Dr. Colbert!
Discipleship training prepares AIU staff to serve students and local churches.
With the help of American partners, AIU hosted a three-day discipleship training for staff members this August. The program, facilitated and taught by Dr. Micah Colbert, was attended by more than 20 staff members – each representing a different department on campus.
The training helped our staff to refresh their understanding of discipleship as they each play critical roles in equipping our students for ministry. AIU staff learned how to share God’s word and teach discipleship skills to our students and local pastors in the surrounding villages.
Ultimately, this training benefits AIU’s staff, students, and local churches. During their time at AIU, students are assigned to various local churches to serve in many ways including discipleship. As they are discipled by staff members – many of whom attended Dr. Colbert’s training – students will bring what they learn to bear in their local ministry contexts.
Dr. Colbert’s sound and practical teaching both excited and encouraged the staff. AIU’s goal is to see students equipped to disciple others who do not have access to God's word. In line with 2 Timothy 2:2, those who are taught will, in turn, share what they have learned with others, building up the local church.
“We are so thankful to Dr. Colbert for sharing with us more on discipleship. He taught us how we can also effectively share this knowledge with our students on campus, even in a classroom setting. What we learned will greatly help both at a personal and church-wide level. I am excited to share what I learned from Dr. Colbert’s discipleship training with the AIU students to inspire growth in them.”
Outreach ministry expands its reach!
AIU’s school outreach ministry engages another local school with the gospel.
Our outreach team has continued to experience steady growth and more opportunities to share the gospel. We are thankful for all our partners who support us in our outreach ministries. Since the start of this year, our SENT teams have gone out to many places with the message of the gospel, engaging in Sunday outreach ministries, market preaching, and school ministries.
We always thank God for everyone who consistently supports our outreach ministries. These ministry platforms are an avenue to positively impact the lives of people from the villages surrounding AIU.
As a part of our outreach initiatives, we have also continued expanding our school ministry program. Until recently, our students have been going to six different government schools each week to introduce elementary and high school students to Jesus Christ and the message of salvation. Often these students come to faith in Christ and are placed in discipleship classes.
As AIU starts its third trimester, we are excited to be adding one more school to our school ministry program, Chitentabunga Primary School. Chitentabunga, which has been in operation for roughly 20 years, initiated the relationship, requesting that AIU send students to teach about the Lord and guide them in discipleship programs. With the addition of Chitentabunga, AIU’s outreach ministry now serves seven local schools, opening many doors for the gospel and allowing AIU students to gain experience in practical ministry.
“We are so thankful to AIU for partnering with our school and helping our students in their spiritual walk. It is one of the major areas that we have always been concerned about, wondering how we can best help our students. The spiritual truths our students are learning will go a long way in their day-to-day lives. In turn, this will also help our students to become responsible at school, at home, in society, and in the country at large. May God continue to bless AIU and its leadership for the great work they are doing of reaching out even to those who might have felt neglected.”
We look forward to seeing the transformation of many lives through the gospel. So far, a number of pupils have expressed interest in learning the Word of God in depth. We have also been encouraged by several who have already professed faith in Christ.
Please pray for our students and staff as they continue to minister in the different churches, schools, markets, prisons, and hospitals surrounding AIU. Also, pray with us for continued desire to minister and that our connection with local churches will grow stronger and more effective.
Daycare Resumes Operation!
AIU’s daycare continues to grow and reach more local and campus children.
AIU’s daycare has resumed its third trimester which will run from September through December. The daycare has experienced significant growth, now serving twenty young children from campus and the surrounding villages. This number is expected to continue growing as both AIU and the surrounding villages grow in the coming years.
Our daycare is managed by two professional teachers, Idah and Jeremiah, and one volunteer who helps take care of the children. Thanks to our teachers and volunteers who dedicate themselves to these young children, they receive care and have the opportunity to learn and grow.
“I am really happy to serve at the daycare because I am helping my students know Christ as they grow.”
The AIU community is thankful for everyone who supports our daycare learning center. The goal of the daycare initiative has always been to provide campus children and those from the surrounding villages with the opportunity to access education even at an early age. The included pictures show a daycare class in session and children playing at the playground.
GRaduation is coming soon!
AIU’s fourteenth graduating class looks forward to the celebration just around the corner.
Every year, we continue to see the faithfulness of the Lord in the life of AIU. This year, we are looking forward to graduating our 2024 seniors on October 26, marking the fourteenth graduation ceremony in AIU’s history. Twenty of our graduates will be awarded a bachelor of arts degree in theology and one will graduate with a certificate in biblical studies. This graduation ceremony is the culmination of the intense studies our students have pursued during their time with AIU.
This year’s graduating class represents four African countries: Zambia, Mozambique, Malawi, and Tanzania. For the first time, we will graduate a distance learning student from the country of Tanzania. This indicates AIU’s strong commitment to fulfilling the great commission through its growing programs.
“I am so thankful to God that soon my class will be graduating. I praise the Lord for sustaining us during the four years of study! I also thank all the sponsors who have made it possible for me to attain this education and I promise that I will put the knowledge that I have acquired from AIU to good use. I desire to see God continue using me for the glory of His holy name in any place He will call me to serve Him.”
Both our residential and distance learning students are grateful to God, those who have sponsored their time at AIU, and the professors who have poured into them. They look forward to advancing the Kingdom of God in their different countries and localities. The pictures above show our residential students who will be graduating this year.
AIU Chancellor, Dr. Cliff Morris will be in attendance at this year’s graduation along with a delegation from the USA, as well as many others from surrounding countries.
As we continue to prepare for this year’s graduation, pray with us that our 2024 seniors will finish strong. Also, pray for safe travel for those arriving from other countries to witness the graduation ceremony.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT!
MOSES & CHRISTETOR PHIRI
Chief Financial Officer
A 2018 graduate of AIU, Moses Phiri comes from Chipata, in the eastern part of Zambia. In December of 2018, Moses was retained on staff at AIU and is now serving as the chief financial officer. His daily responsibilities include data entry, cashflow management, disbursements of cash, providing financial statuses to all campus departments, ensuring AIU abides by government regulations, and managing online payments.
Moses and Christetor have been married since August 12, 2023 and they were blessed with a daughter, Tricia, this May. Christetor is thankful to God for a caring and humble husband in Moses. He is a leader in their home who always seeks the good of his family. Likewise, Moses finds much joy, comfort, and encouragement in his dear wife.
Moses considers it a blessing to serve at AIU, as well as an opportunity to work with others in contributing to the mission of Gospelink.
“Serving at AIU is a way for me to honor the Lord for all He has done for me through AIU. Also, it is one of the ways to thank AIU for the knowledge I have acquired. What I enjoy most is the ability to influence and shape the financial direction of the university. I love working with data to make informed decisions that improve the operations of AIU.”
Moses says he would like to see greater operational efficiency and looks forward to continually improving financial transparency and accountability, ultimately fostering a culture of financial responsibility across the organization. He hopes that achieving these goals will position AIU for long-term success and stability.
Moses is also a graduate student in AIU’s distance learning program. He hopes to further his studies in finance and to continue serving the Lord with his family in every way possible.
Pray with Moses for continued wisdom and God’s guidance in balancing his responsibilities, striving to lead his family with strength and faith. Also, pray that his family would continue to grow spiritually as they deepen their relationship with God and keep Him at the center of everything they do.
STudent SPOTLIGHT!
EMMANUEL PHIRI
Senior
Emmanuel is part of the 2024 graduating class at Ambassador International University (AIU). He comes from Rufunsa, the same district in which AIU is located. The second of nine children, Emmanuel was raised in a religious family 110 kilometers from AIU.
Although his parents were devoted Christians and he understood the existence of God from a young age, Emmanuel did not know the truth of salvation until he was sixteen. One day, he was invited to a youth conference that was organized by his local church. While attending the conference, Emmanuel heard the message of salvation proclaimed to him in full and was convinced that he needed to be saved. As a result, he placed his faith in Jesus Christ. Since then, Emmanuel’s desire has always been to learn more about God and his word, as well as fellowshipping with other believers.
“AIU’s courses have deepened my understanding of God’s Word and equipped me for effective ministry. I have gained valuable insights into biblical interpretation, leadership, and community engagement. This knowledge has helped me teach and preach biblically, develop effective discipleship programs for youth, provide compassionate counseling and pastoral care. I am so grateful to all the sponsors who have supported AIU financially and prayerfully. Your investment in this institution has transformed lives, including mine.”
Emmanuel is thankful for AIU’s faculty, who have helped shape him into a confident and competent minister of the gospel. After graduating from AIU, Emmanuel looks forward to furthering his theological studies. He plans to return to his local church as a youth pastor, discipling and teaching the students there. Long term, he hopes to give his life to church planting and full-time pastoral ministry.
Pray with Emmanuel that he would finish his studies well. Pray also for his plans to be a youth pastor at his local church and to further his studies to God’s glory.