There’s something satisfying about being in the right place at the right time. East African churches are experiencing an unprecedented outpouring of the Holy Spirit. In Tanzania, at the intersection of this explosive church growth and spirit-fueled hunger for God’s Word, World Impact has established a TUMI (The Urban Ministry Institute) Learning Center. We equip and empower emerging leaders to develop healthy churches through this Church-Based Seminary.
World Impact Goes to Tanzania
A World Impact team recently returned from Africa, where they connected with Tanzanian TUMI leaders and witnessed firsthand how powerfully God is at work on their campus. Kenny Holloway, associate minister of Tabernacle Bible Church, was one of the team members. “You hear about World Impact, and you hear about mission work, but it’s a whole other thing when you see it,” he says. “World Impact is doing a great and needed work in Tanzania.”
Holloway estimates that Tanzania has a population that’s roughly half Muslim and half Christian. The TUMI Center is critical for establishing a solid theological base in young pastors serving in this context. Students can live on campus and focus on their studies without distractions. “I was blessed to stay in the dorms on the campus. The campus is almost the size of the village, maybe a little bigger. They have student housing, teaching halls, and offices,” he explains. Pastor Buc, one of the team members, adds, “It’s a beautiful campus, and they take pride in it. They clean it, they take care of it.”
Students Hungry for God’s Word And Training
The students are sacrificing to be able to attend the seminary training. From the moment they arrive on campus, they give the training their undivided attention. “Students would stay after class for hours, and ask questions, and want to learn,” Holloway shares. “They’re hungry for God’s Word. It’s foreign to us here [in America]. It’s just a wonderful experience to see the eagerness, the hunger, and the openness of the people there. Dr. Bishop Awa is a great shepherd. He’s a great steward.”
A Ceremony That Brought Representation
Most notably, the team celebrated with the seminary at their graduation. The pomp and circumstance of the ceremony reflected the significance of this achievement. Families presented leis to the graduates, enhancing the festive atmosphere. “Every one of those graduates overcame challenges to attend,” Holloway says. Pastor Buc also expressed the profound privilege of speaking into the graduates’ lives and seeing the pride in the students’ and their families’ eyes. The ceremony lasted five hours. “Very long, very joyful,” adds Pastor Buc.
Halloway and Pastor Buc also took part in the ceremony. Halloway recalls, “I was blessed to observe and say a word or two at the graduation, and my life has just forever changed.” Pastor Buc shares, “As a graduate myself, I’ve gone through the classes. If there’s anyone who knows what Dr. Davis puts you through, it ain’t no joke.” TUMI’s founder, Dr. Don Davis, invited Pastor Buc to deliver the commencement address. His message was especially significant to the graduates. “What I noticed was that the African people needed to hear the Black American preacher,” Pastor Buc notes. “The connection there was just amazing.”
Building the Kingdom in Tanzania through Church-Based Seminary
The stories of these graduates are powerful testimonies of God’s provision. As the Holy Spirit grows the number of believers in this area, God is using the TUMI program to supply mighty shepherds for new flocks. Through TUMI’s theological training, these leaders will build healthy churches and empower their communities to thrive. When they apply the Word to their lives and ministries, God fuses a servant’s heart to the heart of a leader, enabling them to advance the kingdom.
“To think of the impact that those pastors and leaders are going to have going forward is really amazing,” Halloway says. “They don’t want a position in church. They want to build the kingdom.” It was an unforgettable experience. “I just want to thank you guys for allowing me to come alongside this mission. World Impact is doing great things.” God put World Impact in the right place. And His timing is perfect.
Also read: Trauma Healing Training is the Missing Link in East African Ministries
How can you participate?
Pray for the continued development of Church-Based Seminary training in Tanzania, and consider giving a financial gift to help World Impact continue equipping and empowering Christian leaders around the world.
