John was a bright, young student in Malawi. From his teenage years to his time at the university, John learned firsthand the difference Adventist schools make in people’s lives.
John was a bright, young student in Malawi.
As a teenager, he was handpicked by local leaders of his faith tradition to study at a school in Zanzibar, Tanzania. The goal was for him to learn how to go into unentered areas and create new followers. During his time there, he learned a lot about his own religion, and the next step was for him to also learn about Christianity, since he would be interacting with Christians regularly.
“After three years, they said, Go back home and research the King James Version. Why the King James version? Because they believe the King James Version has a better explanation than other versions of the Bible.”
John enrolled at an Adventist school and joined a youth group. He attended all the classes and engaged with pastors in discussions about Adventist beliefs. All the while, he was sending reports back to the religious leaders in Zanzibar.
“Eventually after three years of studying at the Seventh-day Adventist Mission, I came to say, “I do understand the Bible!”
John felt convicted to give his life to God and was baptized at a camp meeting. After his baptism, he stopped sending reports to Zanzibar. John’s father was furious.
To my father this was an ambition. I was to go to Zanzibar and when I come back from there they respected me. So to him it was a privilege to say that, “My son has gone to a higher position.” So when he heard that I converted to Christianity and I became a Seventh-day Adventist, to him it came like a blow.
But despite rejection from his family, John continued to pursue ministry. Eventually, he was chosen to be a Global Mission pioneer.
“They picked me to be a Global Mission pioneer, to go into unentered areas. The first mission wanted me to go into unentered areas. The same idea was being done as a Seventh-day Adventist, as a Global Mission pioneer .”
He ministered for ten years as a pioneer, following Christ’s method and sharing his testimony with people he met.
John hadn’t finished his education yet so he enrolled at Malawi Adventist University.
“I wanted to pursue my degree. I graduated in 2018. I appreciate God, I thank God because I’m now a graduate and I know many more things than before.”
From his teenage years to his time at the university, John knows firsthand the difference Adventist mission schools make in people’s lives.
This quarter, a portion of the 13th Sabbath Offering will go to help build a community outreach and leadership development center on the campus of Malawi Adventist University.
Please pray for those involved as the project develops. Pray that more students, like John, will come to know Jesus through Adventist education. Thank you for supporting mission through 13th Sabbath Offering projects like this!
