04/27/26 First Quarter 2026

Global Baptist Training Foundation has many churches and individuals that give regularly, often sacrificially, to fund the mission of training nationals to train nationals with solid, Biblical theological education.    Each quarter, we like to update our donors, and those following the work God is doing through GBTF, with results that encourage and motivate us to greater giving and service.  

Here, then, is a report for the first three months of 2026 with 1,551 of the almost 2,000 churches reporting.  We are continually working to improve our GBTF network communication by purchasing smart phones and then training remote pastors in the device and software including an amazing GBTF app created by GBTF African IT Director, Ntare Rogers.  

This report was prepared by Alice Nyiramutima, GBTF Co-Women’s Director and Director of Development and also the wife of Fidele Shinga, GBTF African Director.   Both Fidele and Alice have recently traveled to Central African Republic for yet another graduation and exciting women’s training. Look for pictures and reports from this trip in our next email.  

The results shared here all come from churches started and pastored by GBTF-trained pastors.  We do not seek results from those who were pastoring existing churches before their GBTF training.  As well, GBTF operates in many other countries where church planting is just now getting started.  In order to receive support to start a church, a pastor must first complete a significant portion of our GBTF curriculum.  So, as more graduations occur, more churches will be planted by trained pastors.  This is the intentional multiplication that training nationals creates. 

The number of baptisms are not proportionate with the number of salvations. There are several factors that influence this.  One factor is rainfall. Many of the countries where GBTF trains national pastors and church leaders simply do not have an abundance of water.  Quite the opposite is true.  Many churches have to wait for the rainy season to baptize, and then they baptize large numbers of people.  Most churches also have a baptism training program to ensure people understand the step they are taking by publicly declaring their faith is Jesus Christ.  However,  that our GBTF training includes a strong program of discipleship of all new believers.   The vast majority of those saved will, in the near future, also publicly declare that faith through baptism.  All of the pictures here are of people being baptized, going through baptism classes, or posing for a picture on their baptism day.  What joy this brings to all of our hearts!

Each quarterly report ends with immediate needs for our GBTF team to pray about or meet if God gives the ability:
*$20,000 for July, 2026, evangelistic support of GBTF church plants in Eastern Rwanda
*Two wells are needed for South Sudan churches
*Our South Sudan National Coordinator, Samuel Mambo, is in immediate need of a vehicle because of the vast expansion of church planting and training across the broader region
*An ever-present need for Bibles for thousands of new believers who have never owned a Bible

We praise God for the work He is accomplishing through the training and efforts of nationals.   We also thank God for the faithful, committed donors who make this training a reality for so many pastors and church leaders who are evangelizing entire nations for Jesus Christ.  

Bruce and Grace Snavely

Global Baptist Training Foundation
www.globaltrain.org