Between the years 2014 to 2019 I had the opportunity to teach PTC to a number of pastors and church workers in Kigali, Rwanda. Earlier in 2012 I had been in Rwanda and had been invited to lead some morning devotions with the staff at the African Evangelistic Enterprise (AEE). When I was leaving their Leaders asked if I would come back and help teach their church leaders how to take bible studies. I readily agreed but without knowing how I would do this.
My wife, Vicki, was reading Southern Cross and saw an article about people teaching PTC through AE. I saw this as the answer and, although it had not been used in Rwanda, I saw the opportunity to set up courses there. Over the next 6 years we were able to have 80 students enrol and complete PTC Level 1 and of these 40 continued to complete Level 2. These students included the leaders of AE in Rwanda and now of Africa, pastors from many denominations who lead large churches and many of the leadership group in the University Ministry (GBU).
Their response to the PTC was enthusiastic and their effort to master the detail was heart warming. One young woman, who has now completed further degrees in the USA, said that this course was what she had being praying for a number of years so that she would be equipped to serve her church. At least two other men who are in influential positions in the church in Rwanda shared how much the PTC had changed their understanding of the Bible and how they could help others to understand it.
I did not teach alone but was joined by the Rev. Greg Ball, the Rev. Dan Bidwell, Mr. Michael Tunks, the Rev. Jennie Everest and the Rev. Stephen Gabbott. On 3 occasions I was able to invite the Rev. Mike Raiter of the Centre for Biblical Preaching to lead preaching seminars with the students and others.
After COVID hit in 2020 further visits have been postponed but the hope is to renew them again with the support of the Archbishop of Rwanda and some of the previous lecturers.
The ministry of PTC has the potential to grow far beyond those who have completed the courses in ways that we perhaps we will never know.
