Naturally, this growth and new focus demands structures to foster further progress. With this in mind, we’re working to develop our Eastern, South-Central, and Southern Regions in several ways. New appointments are key to that focus, and as of May 2024, we’ve already employed an Explore Executive and Regional Administrators for each of those three regions. These roles are essential for the running of Explore, ensuring that all aspects of our activities are centred on our vision to not only take the gospel to Africa but also to equip African Christians to read the Bible for themselves, live out its truth, and share its good news.
One of the exciting aspects of the Explore course that often goes unnoticed is its function as a channel for bringing students to GWC. Presently, there are 33 students at the college who’ve completed one or more Explore modules in the past.
Sylvester, in 2nd year, notes that central to his training at FOCUS Zimbabwe, a student organisation, was Explore. “This helped me,” he says, “and it made a lot of sense to see the Bible as one story with one Author. Indeed, it was a helpful tool that prepared me for my theological studies here at GWC. Despite challenges from time to time, there are also joys, and I am grateful to God for the opportunity for me to be at GWC. In many aspects of my life, I see growth. Keep me in your prayers.”
Rasford, in 1st year, had a similar experience. In his words, “The Explore course is a bird’s eye view of the GWC curriculum, which helps one properly understand the single story of redemption in the Bible, unfolding in two different segments, namely the Old and the New Testaments. This impacted greatly on me, as I had to resign from the New Apostolic Church after coming face to face with the truth simply explained by the Explore course.”
Finally, while Explore is growing and leading students to the college, it’s also being used in other African colleges. This is the testimony of GWC alumnus Inocêncio Varine, who recently oversaw the official opening of Colégio de Formação em Liderança Biblica (Biblical and Leadership Training College), in Mozambique. He says, “The starting of the ministry in Mozambique, and its expanding in various parts of the country has been continually encouraged and supported by GWC, who have been sending students for ministry week since 2008. However,” Inocêncio continues, “translating and teaching the Explore material into Portuguese has given depth to our own program and been a personal growth point. In November 2017, we had our first graduation in Cape Town. Currently, we have four students, and by using Explore, we aim to introduce students to theological thinking, ultimately encouraging them to travel to South Africa for theological training at GWC. By this pipeline, we’re preparing Mozambicans for ministry.”