03/21/25 More updates
This class in Eswatini has now wrapped up. Please watch the brief video of the thank you from Eswatini (Swaziland). This is GBTF’s first class in South Africa, but it will certainly not be the last. We expect great multiplication in South Africa in the next couple of years.
The class in South Kivu Congo (DRC) has also completed. We previously posted this class-ending certificate ceremony. 
An interesting story has arisen from this class. Our trainer (name withheld for security) was able to begin training 67 pastors. One of the pastors has been in ministry since he was 15 years old, but he never has had a chance to have any training. Now he is getting a GBTF college level theological education free of charge. The best part of this story? His trainer is his son!!!
The pastors who complete GBTF training are admonished to do several things: to train others, to start new churches in areas where there is currently no gospel witness (pastored by GBTF-trained pastors), to evangelize, baptize, and disciple new believers. We see this happening all over the 30 countries (and growing) where GBTF offers training currently.
In Liberia, almost 600 churches have been planted by GBTF-trained pastors. Here are a couple of pictures of the members of one of these church plants walking to a stream for baptisms. Please allow these pictures to prompt you to pray for all of the church plants all over Africa – 312 so far this year!
Finally, many of these church plants have great needs. Here are three opportunities for our GBTF team to be involved and to further the gospel.
1. This church plant is building a building all on their own. Although we have partners who help build buildings, we encourage independence. The more the locals contribute, the more meaningful their church is to them. This church, however, immediately needs $ 430 for sand to mix up for mortar to finish the building.
2. We have another church plant (location withheld for security) that needs $1000 for paint and finishing elements.
3. We are also raising funds for a team to travel to Uganda in August to assist several church plants through village evangelism, school ministry, and sports outreach.
If you would like to help with any of these needs, please designate your giving for that specific need. All funds designated go specifically as directed by the donor!
Pray for our trainers and class members. You may notice we are withholding names and locations at times. We also told you recently about one of our trainers who was caught in a dangerous political situation because of his work for GBTF. The world can be a dangerous place. Thank you for your partnership which makes training nationals to train nationals possible. www.globaltrain.org. Videos:
Thank you from Eswatini
South Kivu Congo Class March 2025 – in French but gives you a view of the conditions our students study in for hours a day!
Bruce and Grace Snavely
Global Baptist Training Foundation