July 2025 AIU Newsletter
Equipping Africa’s next generation of spiritual leaders
Term Two Wrap-up!
The Lord is faithful through every season.
We are celebrating the Lord’s faithfulness to AIU as we conclude our second term of 2025. On July 23, students from Zambia, Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique completed their studies after months of dedicated learning and ministry. The included photo shows students attending the last chapel service of term two.
We are also grateful for the visiting professors from the USA whose teaching blessed our students this term. Their ministry—both in the classroom and beyond—reminds us that God is raising up partners worldwide to train the next generation of leaders.
Even during the three-week break between terms, these students are staying active in ministry at their home or local churches. Many remain on campus at AIU to continue local ministry here.
Pray that this time away from class will both refresh them and deepen their commitment to serve the Lord. Pray also for a strong start to term three as students return to campus this coming weekend (August 16-17).
Research that Shapes Leaders!
Students and Staff are challenged to grow at AIU’s 2025 Research Conference .
What does it take to prepare a spiritual leader who can defend the truth with wisdom and grace? At AIU’s annual research conference, students and staff discovered the answer firsthand.
We strive to continually improve our academic performance to meet the standards set by Zambia’s Higher Education Authority (HEA) and to enhance our students’ educational experience. This is a significant endeavor, especially as AIU grows as an institution, and our annual research conference is a key element that helps achieve both of these objectives.
This year, three staff members and five students presented research on a shared theme, developing skills in analysis, presentation, and critical thinking. Awards were given out to recognize excellence in both content and delivery.
The goal of AIU’s academic development and expansion will always be to prepare spiritual leaders who can utilize all of their God-given abilities for the glory of God. This year’s conference held true to that goal and was met with enthusiasm by those in attendance.
It was encouraging to see conference participation continue to grow — this was the largest conference yet. Please pray with us that our efforts at academic development will lead AIU to greater knowledge of and devotion to the Lord.
“The research conference had a significant impact on me since it demonstrated how to apply research in daily life and for evangelistic aims. Students were able to share their studies, get criticism, and gain knowledge from their colleagues during the conference.”
Light in a Dark PLace!
AIU students and staff engage in prison outreach ministry.
On June 28, a team of senior students and staff entered the gates of the Lusaka Central Correctional Facility—not to serve a sentence, but to serve Christ.
The prison management expressed gratitude to our team upon their arrival, expressing how grateful they were to hear from God's Word. While at the prison, our students and staff preached and sang. Basic items — including cooking oil, relish, mealie meal, and cleaning soap — were also distributed. The inmates expressed gratitude to our team for their willingness to spend time with them and share the gospel. As they left, the prisoners pleaded with our students to pray for them.
But the impact of the prison visit went both ways. Prison outreach is a unique opportunity for our students to gain practical ministry experience. They are taken out of the classroom and pushed out of their comfort zones to engage with people who are often shunned and forgotten.
Pray for those who heard the gospel that day and for our students as they continue to step outside their comfort zones to proclaim Christ. Pray that many prisoners would find true freedom in Christ.
“My assumptions were changed and challenged because of what I saw at the prison. People were zealous for the Word. They had Bibles in their hands, and their singing was incomparable to what we do outside. ”
Equipping the Equippers!
AIU staff and faculty challenged to grow through learning workshops.
To train leaders, we must first invest in those doing the training. This term, visiting professors from the USA led AIU faculty and staff through the following workshops:
“Style and Format in Academic Writing” by Dr. Steve Stairs
“Common Research Methodologies in Biblical and Theological Studies” by Dr. Brandon Jenkins
“The Research Process (Step by Step)” by Dr. Ben Browning
“Artificial Intelligence (AI) Utilization” by Randy Whitman
It was such an impactful term for our faculty and staff, and these academic writing workshops left them with a hunger to learn even more. We look forward to having more such workshops to help us invest in our staff as they continue serving in different capacities at AIU.
As you are able, please pray for the faculty and staff at AIU, that the Lord would sustain them and make them fruitful in their ministry here.
STAFF SPOTLIGHT!
DAVID & IDAH CHIBIYA
Campus Operations Manager
Since graduating in 2017, David Chibiya has worn many hats at AIU—Voices of Zambia Coordinator, Kitchen Supervisor, Transportation Supervisor, and now Campus Operations Manager. Serving in this capacity, his responsibilities include supervising ongoing projects, providing reports, and overseeing campus operations departments.
“It is an opportunity and a blessing to serve at AIU. I have learned to trust God and be humble,” David shares.
David and his wife Idah longed and waited for a child for four years after getting married in 2019. Finally, they welcomed their son Theophilus around this time last year. “Theophilus’ birth has been a blessing to us and also a reminder that God is a provider,” they testified.
Idah is a qualified early childhood teacher and has served at the AIU daycare since its inception. David describes her as someone who loves the Lord, is hardworking, humble, and loves to serve.
David is currently pursuing a master’s degree and hopes to lead his family as an example of Christ-centered service.
Join us in praying for the Chibiya family, that God would continue to bless them as they serve him together in ministry. Pray also that David would complete his studies diligently and would be used by the Lord to advance His kingdom.
“It is an opportunity and a blessing to serve at AIU.”
STudent SPOTLIGHT!
EDWARD NAWA
Sophomore
Growing up in a Christian home in Chongwe, Zambia, Edward Nawa thought faith was simply about going to church. But at age 19, a Scripture Union Club meeting in high school changed everything. “During the time of preaching, God’s Word touched my heart, and I became a believer when I placed my faith in Christ,” Edward recalls. “Ever since… my life has never been the same.”
Now a sophomore at AIU, Edward is grateful for every lesson learned and looks forward to sharing biblical truth in his community after graduation.
“Ever since I heard the Gospel of Christ and believed in Jesus as my Savior, I can testify that my life has never been the same as it was when I was in the world.”
Edward is so thankful to God for the opportunity to study at AIU and to all who are sponsoring his studies. Pray with Edward that he might finish his studies strong and that he will have an impact in his hometown and beyond.