Celebrating MAT apprentice graduation
Seven apprentices completed the two-year Ministry Apprenticeship program and graduated in the 2024 MAT graduation ceremony!
Of the 2024 graduates, three of them were women and four were men. It was exciting to see the next generation of both male and female Gospel workers being trained up.
The guest of honour at the graduation ceremony charged graduates with upholding the purest form of the gospel and distributing it to trustworthy individuals who will then instruct others (2 Timothy 2:2).
The graduation also involved the conferment of Explore the Bible Certificates from George Whitfield College. All graduates are proceeding to theological education this year!
“I want to thank the Lord Almighty for these past two years as I was doing my apprenticeship in Masvingo. I want to thank MAT and my Trainer Pastor Ephias Ndahwi for encouraging me, praying for me, and not giving up on me,” said Victory Bandambira, MAT Apprentice Graduate.
My character was transformed during my apprenticeship as I developed a strong faith in the gospel, which also allowed me to improve my competency. Despite my numerous failures, they served as learning opportunities for me to become a better version of myself. God willing, I’ll be studying theology at George Whitefield College in Cape Town next year.”
Molly Baker (second from the right) and MAT apprentices and trainers
Molly Baker’s visit on behalf of Anglican Aid
Anglican Aid (an overseas relief and aid agency of the Anglican Church of Australia) sent Projects Officer Molly Baker to visit MAT Zimbabwe in October 2024. She met MAT staff, as well as spent time getting to know the places and people of the MAT ministry.
Molly met trainers and apprentices in local church ministry and campus ministry. She visited rural and urban training centres and heard the testimonies from both trainers and apprentices.
One MAT team member said, “Meeting Molly and sharing with her some of the joys and challenges of ministry apprentice training here in Zimbabwe, especially training women in ministry, was very encouraging. The presence of other women in ministry and their financial and spiritual support is incredibly uplifting.”
Rosemary Thorburn training
Training of Trainers Cohort 3 and 4
Ten trainers from MAT Trainers Cohort 3 convened from November 12–15 2024 for their final session and graduation. In order to train men and women in ministry who are dependable, capable, teachable, and accessible,
This session involved:
- Rev. Tim Thorburn teaching on character, conviction, and competency from 2 Corinthians 13 and 14.
- MAT Board Chairman, Dr. P.Manzanga, encouraged them to share the pure and unadulterated gospel with their apprentices.
- Lessons from the book ‘Trellis and the Vine’.
- One-to-one Bible reading and sermon preparation training from Rosemary Thorburn as they begin their journey as trainers.
Attendee Pastor Florence Siyendi said:
“The training was excellent, providing valuable insights into leadership, healthy relationships, key roles and risk-taking, It also highlighted the importance of one-on-one meetings for intentional discipleship.
It helped the individual identify their strengths and weaknesses which will be beneficial in personal ministry and leadership development. The process of selecting apprentices was explained clearly, and the importance of prayer was highlighted.
The training focused on life-on-life rather than programs, and the principles for assigning ministries were also discussed. The training also introduced the concept of setting ministry development goals, which was a new and exciting experience.”
Tim Thorburn with a group
Recruiting Conference 2024
Twelve potential apprentices attended the most recent MAT recruiting conference, held from 7-9 November 2024. The recruiting conference is an opportunity for those thinking about full-time ministry to get to hear what it means to do an apprenticeship with MAT.
Rev. N. Vhukani and Rev. T. Thoburn spoke about our duty as Christians to share the gospel and make disciples inspired by them. Please pray that all attendees will thoughtfully consider the ministry question of whether to join a full-time ministry or explore ways to serve in ministry.
Attendee Brayden Tafadzwa Katsidzira shared, “The 2024 MAT Recruiting Conference provided valuable lessons and fellowship on serving God, trusting being prepared for persecution. It highlighted Jesus’ Great Commission, dying to self, living in Christ. Full-time ministry requires dedication, sacrifice, faithfulness, challenges like financial struggles family conflicts were discussed.”
Prayer points
- Thank you God for all the apprentices who completed their apprenticeship, be with them as they go on to theological study in the coming years
- Heavenly Father, we praise you for Tim and Rosemary Thorburn and their efforts in attending the Training of Trainers 3 and 4 sessions, and their work running training sessions
- Dear Lord, please continue raising partners for the ministry in Zimbabwe and across southern Africa
- Father, be with ministry apprentices starting their MAT apprenticeship in 2025