Students   Faculty   Partners   About ACU   Seminary   News   Links   Contact Us

Greetings!

Your partnership in prayer is always appreciated.  This month we focus on seeking God for those whom He has given of His Spirit to work with all knowledge and skill in excellence as disciplers for Christ - "teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you."  We are also proud to tell you about Dr. Preston Sprinkle who visited Lusaka with his pastor to learn more about teaching at ACU.  May God continue to respond to our prayers as He equips and calls those who will serve Christ and His church in this work. 

ArtisansArtisans of Excellence       

By Dr. Ken Turnbull 
 
ACU seeks to set the highest standard of excellence in every academic discipline as a display of our God who graces us  with all knowledge. The 
Tuskegee Institute Carpentry Shop
holistic impact of
Christian education should not only fortify the mind with truth, but should impact the entirety of one's motivation, thinking and works to display the righteousness of Christ in every aspect of life. This requires education in the skills of the hands as well as in the discernment of the mind. 
 
An artisan, or a craftsman, is a worker in a skilled trade, especially a trade that involves making things by hand. This would include carpenters, masons, electricians, plumbers, welders, mechanics, tailors, artists, farmers and handymen of all sorts. Exodus 28 describes the artisan tailors; chapter 31 speaks of the artisans of wood, metals and stone; chapters 35-40 tell of the inspiration and work of all the artisans equipped by God for the crafting and construction of God's tabernacle and its furnishings. This was the first construction of a dwelling place for God among His chosen people. God makes clear that He inspired artisans, He filled their minds with skill, He gave them of His Spirit, with ability, intelligence, knowledge and all craftsmanship and stirred their hearts to do the work. 
 
In Mathew 24-25, Jesus describes the future periods of tribulation and His second coming at the end of the age. It is in the context of this Olivet Discourse that Jesus inserts practical instructions through parables on how the disciples were to conduct their lives after the Master departed, between His first and second coming. This describes how Christians should live and work during this age. The parable of the talents was part of Jesus' discourse to instruct us on how to live in His kingdom during this age. Talents are given by the Master to His servants. However much a servant is given, he is good and faithful and given more if he invests the talents industriously and wisely producing an abundance for the Master. On the other hand, the servant is wicked, cast out and stripped of all he has who slothfully does nothing with what he is given. It is clear that Christ intends His disciples to work hard, to invest themselves and all they have in their work for His kingdom. This has always been God's purpose. From the beginning, Adam, being made in God's image, was given all the resources he needed to take dominion of God's creation. Starting with the garden of Eden he was to cultivate it through hard work, investing his God-given abilities to produce a return on God's investment. 
 
ACU seeks to model the parable of the talents in fulfilling God's creation mandate through skilled artisans who can demonstrate an excellence in their service to the Master. Labor Disciplers will work with students in all of the arts and crafts to exemplify this calling of Christ - their vocation. We need those whom God has filled with skill who are willing to serve God's kingdom with all they have been given. This is a critical aspect in displaying the Christian world view to young Christians who are rarely given the opportunity to learn excellence in applying such skills. The Biblical principle of "work heartily, as for the Lord and not for men" (Col 3:23) is in direct contrast to the worldly standard described in Ecclesiastes 4:4 where, "all toil and all skill in work come from a man's envy of his neighbor." This motivation to work strictly to gain material wealth as the competitive measure of success must be confronted by exemplifying a Biblical work ethic motivated by a desire to show the excellence of God. 
 
Dr. Booker T. Washington
This will certainly counter the existing culture with a Biblical culture. Booker T. Washington, the founder of Tuskegee University, discovered this counter-cultural response when he initiated a student labor program. He noted, "At first quite a number of students and a large number of parents did not like this rule [regarding student labor]; in fact, during the first three or four years, a large proportion of the students brought either verbal or written messages from their parents that they wanted their children taught books, but did not want them taught work. Notwithstanding these protests, we still stuck to our rule. As the years went on and as the students and parents began to see and appreciate the value of our industrial teaching, these protests grew less frequent and less strong. I also remember, during the early history of this institution, that students coming here who had to pass through the larger cities, or pass in the vicinity of other institutions, had the finger of scorn pointed at them because they were going to a school where it was understood that one had to labor. At the present time, however, this feeling is so completely changed ... the feeling in favor of it is strong and most enthusiastic" (B.T. Washington's Autobiography: The Story of My Life and Work). 
 
If you believe that God is calling you to give of your abilities, intelligence, knowledge and all craftsmanship, and that He has stirred your heart to do the work of a Labor Discipler, please contact us via email at 
info@acu-zambia.com to see how you might help to disciple other kingdom servants for God's glory in Africa.

PrestonMeet Dr. Preston Sprinkle

by Amy Smith   

 

Dr. Preston Sprinkle

"I can't wait to tell you about this amazing school. It has the potential to drastically improve both the spiritual and material poverty of the continent... ACU, I believe, could be a major catalyst toward Africa's solution." This is just one example of the enthusiasm that Dr. Preston Sprinkle, an Associate Professor of Biblical Studies at Eternity Bible College in Simi Valley, California, has for the work of ACU after his visit to Lusaka in January, 2013. 

 

Dr. Sprinkle lives in Simi Valley with his wife, Chris, and their four children: Kaylea (9), Aubrey (7), Josie (5), and Cody (3). They attend Anthem Church in Thousand Oaks where Preston serves as an elder. Preston has desired to contribute to theological education on a more global scale for some time and has been looking for the right school to partner with. He believes ACU could be a good fit, remarking, "I love ACU's philosophy of ministry and its emphasis on biblical theology." 

Preston and Chris Sprinkle and family
Preston discusses observations from his trip in his brief blog posts (here and here). He remarks that "After 40 years of dumping trillions of western dollars into Africa, the continent is still struggling...many experts locate the solution to Africa's demise in three main areas: leadership, education, and the gospel." In the education field specifically, Preston notices that, "Many Africans who want (and can afford) quality education leave the country to get it, but then they typically don't come back. What Africa needs, therefore, is to focus on improving higher education in Africa. Quality African education will cultivate a more sustainable solution to Africa's problems. The hope of Africa lies in Africa." 

 

However, Dr. Sprinkle acknowledges that, "... as a Christian, educated leadership may improve Africa's material problem but it won't change people's hearts (which actually may end up hurting the material condition as well.) What is needed is theological education. But not just theological education that trains pastors - though this is still a tremendous need! - but arts [and science] education that's governed by a Christian worldview. We need doctors, engineers, lawyers, businesspeople, journalists, chemists, historians, and school teachers, who can receive a top-notch education in Africa that's focused on the Lordship of Jesus in all things so that this next generation of leaders can transform Africa for Christ." 

 

Preston continues, "...all three areas [leadership, education, and the gospel] beautifully converge at ACU. The school wants to provide a top of the line education in all subjects - including theology - that are taught from a Christian worldview. So when students study business, they will learn how businesses should reflect kingdom values and further God's reign over the earth. Aspiring journalists will look into the complex fabric of human affairs and testify to God's stamp on human nature and history. Chemists will cultivate worship as they explore the ingenuity of God's creation. In all of this, ACU will maintain the same academic rigor of any university in the West. Africans won't need to go to Europe or North America to receive credible training. They can just go to Zambia; they can go to ACU. And they can seek to bring Africa under the rule of Christ as they pursue gospel-centered vocations." For Preston, the "Student Labor Program," where students learn "on the ground" in areas like agriculture (by farming the land and caring for livestock), business and development (construction and maintenance) is also critical to ACU's discipleship focus. 

 

Preston (right) next to his pastor (Matt Larson) with Conrad Mbewe (Center) and Ronald Kalifungwa

Finally, the vision for biblical education growing from the hearts of believers in the local churches in Lusaka, rather than solely through the efforts and ideas of missionaries, is important to Dr. Sprinkle. He remarks, "I'm shocked - as are most western missionaries who visit Lusaka - at how self-sustaining and theologically rich many churches are here. There's an informal network of Reformed Baptist churches in Lusaka that are extremely healthy compared to many churches in Africa... to many churches [in] America." As ACU continues to expand and develop, indigenous leadership also grows and brings nations together to serve for the glory of God. In his blog, Preston discusses how "the indigenous nature of this thriving ministry is enough to get me excited. But it's ACU's fascinating vision that's put hope in my heart that in spite of the corruption, in spite of the poverty, in spite of the violence, in spite of the theological anemia that's swept across much of the continent, there is yet hope for Africa. And after talking with Ken... I'm becoming a believer that such hope lies in ACU ... They have the potential to transform a continent." 

 

Please pray with Preston and his family as he considers how he might best serve ACU. If God does lead him to partner with ACU, he is interested in serving in the areas of teaching, curriculum development, and distance education, all of which are needed. In his blog he writes, "the church of Zambia doesn't need us to come show them how it's done. In many ways, I'd love for them to come here and show us how it's done. However, they are inviting the west to partner with them in what they are already doing. And the one main area where pastors Kalifungwa and Mbewe said they could use a lot of help is with Christian education."

Transparent ACU logoACU Seminary Transparent
  The ACU Prayer Update Team 
  
 
African Christian University-USA

In This Issue:

 

Artisans of Excellence

 

Meet Dr. Preston Sprinkle

 

Matters of Praise 

 

Matters for Prayer 

 

Seeking Help

 

Print this Update

PraiseMatters of Praise 

 

Thank God for bringing ACU to the attention of Nate and Michelle Foreman who visited Lusaka from Vancouver, Washington in early March. Should God be directing him, Nate's experience, interests and education would equip him well to greatly assist with the ACU Student Labor Program. Pray we'll know more on that in the near future! 

 

God has put it in the heart of Chilekwa Kampeshi to volunteer his services to prepare an Environmental Impact Assessment for the ACU project - a first step before construction can begin. God continues to supply every need through His chosen servants! 

 

The ACU Management Team has begun to formulate in Lusaka and the first vision and development meetings are taking place. We thank God for these pioneering servants who have given themselves for this work. May the sprout continue to grow into a healthy, fruit-bearing vine by God's grace.

 

For further reading on excellence in work, we recommend: Hugh Welchel, How then Should We Work: Rediscovering the Biblical Doctrine of Work. WestBow Press: Bloomington, IN; 2012. 

 


ACU praying hands


PrayerMatters for Prayer

 

Dr. Sam Horn, President of Central Seminary in Minnesota, has been invited to visit Lusaka to consult in the strategic planning of ACU. His international experience in such educational endeavors will be most valuable. Please pray for God's provision and wisdom as Sam seeks to serve in this way. 

Dr. Sam Horn

 

The ACU Board continues to seek guidance in developing plans and policies, organizing, and delegating tasks to best facilitate the development of ACU. Please hold them up in prayer for strength, commitment, perseverance and wisdom. 

 

The enormous ACU development project requires a skilled project manager to oversee all aspects of construction. Please pray with us that God would call His chosen laborer to the task. 

 

God has been faithful in bringing forth various land options for aspects of ACU's development. Please seek God's enabling that we would be wise stewards of all that He has ordained for this work.

 

HelpSeeking Help 
 

"Pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest" 

 

  

 

If God has gifted you as an artisan of excellence in any aspect of the construction trade, consider discipling colleagues and students with ACU. Please contact us if you believe God is calling you to serve His kingdom work in this way. Email: info@acu-zambia.com 

 

 

 

    

Do you have experience that would equip you to oversee campus construction projects at ACU? Please contact us or forward this request to someone who you may know that might serve with us as a construction project manager. Email: info@acu-zambia.com

 

                    
PrintPrint this Update 

Download a copy of the
ACU March Prayer Update to print and hand out at your church
 
 
 

 Links

 

Follow us on Twitter Like us on Facebook

  425Donate  

A Letter From Kabwata
African Bank Accounts
African Donations