Opening Maputo Bible Seminary

After nearly three years of construction and many difficulties along the way, the seminary construction is finished. There are minor details to finish over time, but nothing that will hinder the seminary from being used to its fullest intent.

October 31, 2007 was a joyous day. That was the day that OMS received the occupancy license, giving complete permission from the government to use the building.

The Maputo City Church, which had been meeting in a small classroom that only could accommodate 25, moved into the new sanctuary chapel on November 25, 2007. The chapel can accommodate up to 200 people. The first service was a blessing, and many from the community attended.

The church also runs an ESL (English as a second language) program using it as an outreach tool to the people of Maputo. Classrooms can now be used in the new seminary building.

The building is a multi-purpose facility. Until a director is found and can set up the curriculum and program, it will be used for many purposes. One opportunity is to rent out the facilities as a conference center. Another is to rent classroom space to other mission organizations that need space for teaching. The purpose of OMS Mozambique is to partner with other churches and mission-minded organizations, so they see the seminary building as a great outreach opportunity to the community.

The seminary is the vital link to training future pastors, teachers and evangelists. This training is the best way for Mozambicans to reach their own people for Christ.

Homeland Missionaries

Every Community for Christ (ECC) training has expanded to other provinces in Mozambique. Some ECC trainers moved to those areas in 2007, becoming missionaries to their own people. Currently, four training centers are operating in four of the ten provinces. Three ECC team members live in the northern provinces of Nampula and Zambezia. In the past eight months, more than 18 church cell groups have been planted by these three ECC team members.