Grace News is Anglican Aid’s quarterly newsletter, through which we share encouragement and updates from our project partners.

Training church leaders

It was a great honour for me to be the guest speaker at the Bunda Bible College (BBC) graduation ceremony in June, and to join our Tanzanian brothers and sisters in praising God together.

Twenty-one of the graduating students were supported by Anglican Aid and they’ve now returned to their home dioceses, equipped to lead, teach the Bible, and serve.

It was especially encouraging to see the graduation of a student that my home church supported. Jumanne Marwa is the first from his tribal group from Suba Land to be trained and ordained!

BBC Student Jumanne Marwa was supported by Tim Swan’s church.

“Through your support, the word of God will be spread across the world.”
Jovinary Gaspaly Joseph

BBC graduate Jovinary Gaspaly Joseph, from the Diocese of Lweru

Bishop George Okoth told me how much he values the support of BBC from Christians in Australia:

“With the help of Anglican Aid, we’ve seen tremendous progress in building classrooms, renovating dormitories, and building new married quarters. And above all, the number of students who are graduating from BBC has really increased. And this means that more churches are being planted. It’s not only the Diocese of Mara, but across Tanzania, because we have 14 dioceses who are sending their students to come and be trained as pastors at BBC.” 

Bishop George told me about a former student who is now a pastor in a remote bush area of the Serengeti. After planting one congregation, Rev Marando has now multiplied his parish to four stations. The bishop said that the training Marando received has helped him to mobilise resources, preach the gospel to people from different backgrounds, and persevere in a difficult setting. “I think without the knowledge which he got from BBC, he would have left this ministry,” said Bishop George. “I would like to thank all those who are donating towards the training of pastors!”

Tim Swan

CEO, Anglican Aid