“When I was appointed as a pastor, I had not received any training on the Word of God.”
Samweli Chacha accepted a request to lead a fledgling village congregation near Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, equipped only with a burden for ministry. Challenges grew faster than the weeds on the church’s empty property.
“I had to leave the job I was doing,” Samweli said. “[My family] had to walk on foot from where we live to the church. There was even a period of going to bed hungry.”
Despite his faithfulness, his lack of theological education or ministry training hurt his leadership ability. “I was trying to teach people in anger. I used harsh methods, even for preaching on offerings,” he recalled.
When Samweli heard about the Biblical Training Center for Pastors (BTCP), led by ABWE missionaries Aaron Boon and Joe James, he immediately enrolled in the 18-month course.
The missionaries established BTCP recognizing that many Tanzanians remain without access to the biblical gospel, even within churches. “Many pastors don’t have the foundation—or resources in their language—to study or understand the Bible,” Aaron explained. The program includes modules in doctrine, hermeneutics, preaching, and evangelism, along with urban farming, taught by ABWE partner Apollo Mazengo, to help pastors earn income.
With this training, Samweli’s ministry flourished. He is teaching his growing congregation to disciple others, and they constructed a church building. His agricultural endeavours also yielded fruit.
“Now I am able to provide my family with all the essential needs,” he shared. “I was also able to get a motorcycle, which helps me in evangelism. Recently we took the gospel to a village. Truly God helped us and more than 300 people were saved.”
“As Proverbs 12:1 says, ‘Whoever loves instruction loves knowledge,’” he continued. “I will use this knowledge to teach the Word of God so that people may know God. . . . [I]t is my desire to see the true gospel reach every corner of our country so that people can hear the truth from the Word of God.”
BY: KATELYN HAWKINS
PHOTOGRAPHER: HANNAH STRAYER
