Written by: Rob van der Kooy
Article source: JOY! Magazine

Mukhanyo Theological College is a multi-denominational Christian academic institution that provides in-depth Bible training to church leaders and young people who want to prepare themselves for the ministry of God’s Word, as pastors and as witnesses to the world.

Did you know that religious freedom in South Africa is of the highest in the world? It is, according to the international PEW Research Center in Washington DC, USA. PEW has been doing annual research on religious freedom all over the world from 2010. The results for 2017, just out, show that this freedom is under pressure worldwide, but South Africa remains one of the most religiously free countries, especially in respect of a lack of government restrictions in terms of favouritism and general laws and policies.

Social hostilities towards Christians
As far as social hostilities involving religion is concerned, South Africa is not doing as well, although still of the best in the world. This concerns hostilities related to religious norms as well as interreligious tension and violence. Add to this that an estimated over 80% of all South Africans claim to be Christian. This is confirmed if one drives through the centres of cities, towns and hundreds of townships all over the country, with all types of churches just about everywhere. 

So what is the problem?
Why is the crime and corruption of the highest in the world and productivity of the lowest? An obvious answer is that the many who claim to be Christians do not understand or live the implications of being a Christian. Do they know their Bible? For example, 2 Timothy 3:16-17 teaches that “All Scripture is breathed out by God and profitable for teaching, for reproof, for correction, and for training in righteousness, that the man of God may be competent, equipped for every good work.”

Lack of qualification
Other research has shown that many – the majority – of church leaders, pastors, preachers, and elders, know little about the content of the Bible and the central message of Jesus Christ in the world. Additionally, in existing churches there are an enormous shortage of qualified pastors. A recent study of South African Reformed churches in black communities shows that less than 50% have qualified pastors. And these pastors often serve at more than one church as well as many preaching points.

This phenomenon is not unique
According to Dr Brian DeVries, principal of the Mukhanyo Theological College, this is the case not only in South Africa, but all over Africa. Dr Brian has travelled extensively in many African countries and can tell numerous tales about so-called Christian churches where Bible knowledge is very limited and where preaching consists more of personal story-telling and not the faithful proclamation of God’s word. 

Mukhanyo Theological College’s unique approach
However, Dr Brian has also experienced a great need for Christians in South Africa and in many other countries to study the Bible. Yes, there are numerous Bible colleges in Africa, but most of these are understaffed, under-financed, and lack decent libraries or other facilities. And most of them are residential, meaning that a student must attend classes on campus – which is often not possible for financial and logistical reasons.
That is why Mukhanyo Theological College, headquartered in KwaMhlanga about 65km north-east of Pretoria, now in its 26th year, has designed a unique approach.

• First, at the main campus in KwaMhlanga, students attend lectures on Tuesdays, Wednesdays, and Thursdays. This enables them to go home over the weekends to live with their families and be active in their churches and communities.
• Second, Mukhanyo has opened study centres in Johannesburg, Pretoria, and Rustenburg, with another one expected to come in Durban next year.
• Third and most important, Mukhanyo has established more than 70 distance learning centres for Bible education all over the country with more than 600 students, including some centres in a number of other African countries. These centres are supplied with DVD lectures, study guides, and are managed by qualified facilitators.
• Fourth, Mukhanyo provides facilities of study for various accredited teacher qualifications, such as the BEd degree, to enable Christians to upgrade their teaching qualifications. This is done by facilitating qualifications of North-West University.
• Fifth, Mukhanyo annually calls together Bible schools and institutions in Africa for a three-day Bible College Consultation conference. This year’s meeting was attended by more than a hundred representatives from thirty-five educational institutions from across Africa.

Reaching every corner in Africa
The number of distance learning centres is growing fast and certainly has enormous potential to reach every corner of Africa without the limitations that come with residential teaching. In addition, it’s very affordable, and it still provides interaction between students and with their facilitators as well as, via internet, with lecturers at Mukhanyo.

What is Mukhanyo teaching?
A variety of courses, most of them accredited by the South African authorities. This includes accredited qualifications in theology at the diploma, degree, and honours levels. A newly designed Focus programme is nearly ready for distribution. This is a very practical and accessible training course designed to equip pastors, elders, deacons, Sunday school teachers, and other role-players for their special calling in local Christian churches and communities. 

Our opportunities are endless
The PEW research results – as well as the huge percentage of people in South Africa who claim to be Christians – prove one very important thing: The freedom to live a Christian life and to study the Bible in South Africa is just about unlimited. Christ has given South Africans the opportunity not only to live the Christian life, but also to study God’s word to enable them to be Christians the way God expects of them, as He teaches in His word.

Did you know that religious freedom in South Africa is of the highest in the world?

Mukhanyo is making a difference
For more than 25 years, Mukhanyo has been making use of these opportunities, growing and extending year after year.

At present, it is serving more than 900 students, and it now has the facilities to serve many more students. This is exactly what South Africa needs, if we want to escape the negative maelstrom in which the country seems to be at present. Yes, it looks like a long-term solution. Partly so. But isn’t it the only real spiritual one? God has given the country and all its people the opportunity to escape this. The 80% of the people who claim to be Christians provide an ideal sounding board waiting to be fully utilised.

Do you need quality education for Christian ministry or church leadership?

Mukhanyo offers accredited and non-accredited programmes for full time or part time distance study.

Contact Mukhanyo today:
013 947 2179 | 074 139 9348 | study@mukhanyo.ac.za | mukhanyo.ac.za  

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Date published: 18/09/2019
ROB VAN DER KOOY is retired and serves Mukhanyo with donor relations and in several other areas. He has many years of successful experience in journalism, Christian business, and organisational leadership

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