News for Prayer December 2020

Dear Friends, Thank you. Thank you for your ongoing prayers and support as we continue to navigate teaching and training during a pandemic to see men and women equipped and inspired for Bible teaching ministries. It has been quite a mission as we have trained and engaged while adhering to the rules and regulations to keep both the staff and student safe. As we all look back on the year it would have been easy to be overwhelmed by the many trials and obstacles the college staff and students faced, but as we end we have may items of praise to share from the many graces we experienced in this time.

1.We managed to set up multiple forms of learning that were suitable for the broad spectrum of students we have at JBC. We disseminate material via Blackboard, WhatsApp and SD Cards alongside printed notes. As a college we realised that not all our students were able to access Blackboard for various reasons so we creatively came up with alternative means of getting the study material to the students.

2. Staff have grown in their abilities and skills as we adapted to different modes of teaching. Alongside that, we have continued to love, care and support the students throughout the year. Students were divided up among all the staff to receive regular phone calls and care.

3. The many resources available to us as a college that made it possible for us to transition quickly to online learning, and continue with salaries and students support.

4. The JBC Recruitment Team for their hard work and creativity in reaching potential 2021 students. Through radio adverts, newspaper adverts, social media and church visits we were able to reach potential students. In one of the church visits they had 15 people apply to come study at JBC in 2021. So far we have received a total of 179 applications from those who want to study at JBC in 2021.

5. The perseverance and hard work of the students as they adapted to new modes of learning. They have shown a commitment to learning and a desire to being trained up in God’s word even when facing hard times and personal challenges. Students to staff... Our hearts are filled with prayers of praise and thankfulness to God who has carried and sustained us through this difficult year.

Due to lockdown regulations and a desire to protect both staff and students we will not have a graduation this year. God willing we will have it in the first half of next year, this will give us time to properly prepare for it and it will also allow some of the students time to finish up the course in January and be part of the celebration. The college will officially close on the 09th of December 2020 and we will reopen on the 11th of January2021. Please pray that both staff and students would rest during the break and that their time with friends and family would rejuvenate and encourage them. Please pray that the Lord's people worldwide have a joy filled Christmas and refreshment in Him after a tough year for us all.

Please also pray as we look to creative ways of training face to face next year given COVID restrictions, and as we look to develop the Auckland Park site to increase our capacity for training. There is no doubt, from our experience this year and from the research, that contact classes are the most effective for the training we are engaged in. We long for churches to be filled with men and women who faithfully teach and obey God's word.

Thank you again for your partnership in prayer and support. We hope that you are able to rejoice with us for all that the Lord has done.

​In Christ, The JBC Staff Team