March 9, 2009 issue
Burkina Faso church claims duty to teach its own pastors
By Lynda Hollinger-Janzen Mennonite Mission NetworkPage:
- 1
- 2
ORODARA, Burkina Faso — During a lull in his Basic Biblical Training studies, Hamidou Traoré looked out through the window of the radio recording studio.
Students learn to be church leaders at the Basic Biblical Training Center in Burkina Faso. — Photo provided by MMN
He could see the cement bricks outlining the future home of the Mennonite church’s Bible school.
Traoré is one of seven young leaders preparing for ministry in Eglise Evangélique Mennonite du Burkina Faso (Burkina Faso Mennonite Church). They took up their studies in January, the beginning of the dry season, when the agricultural work that feeds their families is not as demanding.
The vision of preparing Mennonite church leaders for ministry dates back more than a decade.
“For several years, we have given this task to sister denominations, who have trained our people in their Bible schools,” said Siaka Traoré, national president of the Mennonite Church of Burkina Faso and one of the teacher-mentors of Basic Biblical Training.
“The time has come to begin a training program that will take into account our doctrinal convictions as Mennonites.”
Hamidou Traoré — not closely related to Siaka Traoré; their shared family name is one of the most common in Burkina Faso — and the six other leaders-in-training are being taught using centuries-old educational methods.
Four experienced pastors give of their time to teach and mentor the students in the Dioula language, which is the most widely used language in the region where the Mennonite church is strongest.
“In traditional societies, before the arrival of formal education, fathers faithfully transmitted their wisdom to their sons, and mothers did the same for their daughters,” Siaka Traoré said.
He also pointed out that the Apostle Paul speaks of elders transferring their knowledge to younger people in the church and that Jesus taught by mentoring.
Page:
- 1
- 2
Comments
-
Dear sir, please can you help me to fine address of pastor campori in ourgadourgo, he speak english and this church help me alot during my visit, but unfortunately i lost his telephone nomber. i was there 1999. but now i live in spain Barcelona. my email :maxwelloppong2000@yahoo.co.uk i hope to here from you soon. Maxwell.
-
I had revalation yesterday may-14-09 to go out of church in abuja to preach the good news so how can you help in bunki faso.
Comment on the article Burkina Faso church claims duty to teach its own pastors
The purpose of comments is to engage in dialogue. We expect commenters to treat authors and each other as each would want to be treated. Respectful criticism is welcomed; offensive comments or parts of comments will be removed by the site administrator. Name and comment will be posted; email address is for follow-up only and will not be made public.
Download
Download a free PDF showing the populations of
Mennonite groups and other Anabaptists.
