They faced crowded classrooms, worked long hours, and lived
in basic accommodations with few conveniences.
They were asked to coach teams, sponsor clubs, and take on extra
duties. And they also jumped into the
local congregations and became leaders.
These were the challenges faced by student teachers who fanned out from
George Benson Christian College in May to do their Student Teaching Practice,
or STP as it is called. For three
months, over 150 student teachers made a difference for students, schools, and
churches all over Zambia.
One student teacher walked 12 kilometers in order to attend the
nearest congregation. She studied with two college students who were also
student teaching, and they were baptized.
Another found that the local congregation had all but
disbanded. He and others who were doing
their student teaching helped to reconcile the broken relationships and started
the congregation meeting again. They
also formed two new singing groups.
A student teacher was selected to lead a Scripture
Club. The club led two outreaches that
resulted in five baptisms.
One student teacher writes:
“I want to tell you that my experience as a student teacher was very
wonderful! I enjoyed every bit of it
because it made me feel good . . . to know that I can shape another person’s
future as a role model—because that is what being a teacher is about.”
On student taught at Kalomo High School where there is
congregation composed entirely of high school students. He writes:
“I congregated with the pupils from this school who did not have an
(older) person to guide them in certain things.
It was an inspiration to the pupils having someone from a Christian
college. We started a singing group . .
. We also evangelized to the people
within our vicinity. “
Another student teacher was appointed to coordinate the
Christian Movement Choir in his school and led them on three outreaches. He also coached the soccer team and helped
them win first place in two tournaments.
These teachers in training are already fulfilling the
purpose of George Benson Christian
College: to prepare self-supporting
evangelists who will spread the gospel in the communities where they teach.
Many students cannot attend college without
sponsorship. The new school year starts
in January. Won’t you consider investing
in the future of Zambia by sponsoring a college student? Just $150 per month provides tuition,
boarding, and fees to send a student to college. When that student graduates, he or she will
be ready to serve a community, a congregation, and the country of Zambia. For more information, see the Zambia Mission website or contact Linda Gregersen at dlgregersen@mac.com.
