In case you needed a reminder: things don’t always go as planned.
In preparation, our Academic Team submitted our applications over a year early. We wanted early approval for our new name and programs. We began communicating changes early so everyone – including you! – could join us in the excitement of what was ahead.
But I was still caught like a deer in headlights last week. That’s when the Eswatini Higher Education Council halted all our progress. They blocked our planned September 2023 launch. The news was heartbreaking.
What happened? The Ministry of Education & Training decided the Council needed a major overhaul. It is now a quasi-governmental agency with new leadership trying to build new staff. (The former staff members all kept their government jobs at the Ministry.) As a result, the Council is in the middle of a major transition. They are trying to build capacity to serve as the higher education regulatory body. They now have a major backlog of institutional requests. This has devastating effects on institutions . . . including us.
Even though we planned for delays, we still found ourselves stuck.
What do you do with a problem?
After this disappointing news, I grabbed a children’s book for some comfort. I love children’s books. Yes, it is for the pictures. But, a good children’s book teaches helpful lessons and challenging messages.
I sat down with a children’s book I use to spark discussion in class: What Do You Do with a Problem? (I love this series, especially Besom’s illustrations!) I was soon reminded the discovery made by the child in the story:
“So now I see problems differently. I’m not afraid of them anymore, because I know their secret . . . Every problem has an opportunity for something good. You just have to look for it.”
It’s like the missionaries in Acts 16: their mission-driven plans were blocked . . . twice. But that problem didn’t end their work. It opened them to new opportunities. Paul’s second missionary journey began, but in a different direction. God was still at work. God was still glorified. And God’s mission advanced.
Taking advantage of new opportunities
Due to the pandemic and political unrest, some students didn’t complete their degrees. Instead, they completed a two-year Diploma. Further investment in them is an opportunity created by this forced delay. We cannot be Ukwazi (yet) and we cannot start our new programs (yet). But we can still be African Christian College and continue with our original program.
In exploring this opportunity, our leaders, staff, and board members provided positive feedback. And when we tested the idea with the students, they overwhelmed us with excitement. They sent immediate responses. And their messages were hopeful:
“This is great news. I am happy to hear this. Thank you so much!”
“I’m so excited with this decision. I am ready and can come there
even if it’s tomorrow. I really want to complete my degree.”
“Yes, I am in. I want to finish my degree.”
“That is good news to me. I very much want to come back
and finish my degree.”
“You won’t believe we’ve been praying for this. Yes! I can 100% do this.”
So, in less than a month, class will be back in session at African Christian College!
We have 15 bright and promising students joining us for a March 13 start. Their first two years were online in response to the pandemic. It’s exciting to have them on campus for in-person classes, worship, and formation. This will allow them to graduate with a full degree next year. It will also further develop them as leaders, counselors, ministers . . . and, most importantly, as disciples of King Jesus.
This is a quick shift in our plans for the year. Our team is now focusing on what it takes to take advantage of this opportunity to further our mission.
We’ll continue our work of preparing to launch new programs (now in 2024?). This includes working with the new Eswatini Higher Education Council. And we’ll also keep exploring other opportunities created by this new problem.
Why I want you to know
You are a partner in this ministry of equipping students for excellent service in God’s kingdom. So I wanted you to know immediately about these changes. Because you care about our students. Because you care about African Christian College. Because you should know how we’re stewarding your generous support.
Mostly, I wanted you to know because I covet your prayers.
We are partners together through African Christian College. We are also co-laborers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9). As such, our prayers impact God’s work in Africa. I’m asking you to pray for African Christian College.
Here are some specific requests you might include:
- Me, our board, and executive team to lead with wisdom.
- Students as they quickly uproot their lives to return to Eswatini and finish their studies. Pray for them by name: Charles, Bentry, Victoria, Fana, Sibogiseni, Innocent, Melisa, Zuze, Martin, Ferdinand, Joseph, Anthony, Loreen, Francis, and Elia.
- Staff as they alter plans and prepare to welcome students back.
- Teachers as they create experiences for learning & transformation.
- Eswatini Higher Education Council in their transition, development, and work to overcome their backlog.
- Tree of Life for a fruitful harvest we’re now beginning!
- Ukwazi Makadamia as it recovers from pandemic losses and setbacks and seeks to expand sales.
- Eswatini’s political unrest: for His Majesty King Mswati III, government leaders, and political agitators to find a peaceful resolution that honors all peoples.
- Safety & peace throughout Eswatini and Africa.
- Churches across Africa and the world as they seek to do God’s will in a quickly changing world.
Thank you. God is at work through you. Because of your continued commitment to God’s work through African Christian College: the hungry are fed, the thirsty have drink, strangers are invited in, the naked are clothed, the hurting are comforted, and the prisoners are visited. This happens when God’s people work together to educate and equip others through the power of God.
I cannot wait to tell you about the ways God works as students return to campus. Again, thank you for your partnership and your prayers.
Brad Carter, President