Community Bible Study International

Amazing Growth in Burundi

“Beyond great,” were the words Caleb Maury Kapsner used to describe his recent trip to Burundi this past month. Maury went on to say, “The Holy Spirit provided the wisdom and the power to see Jesus made known, loved and served in Burundi through the study of His Word.”
The pastors that attended the CBSI training were prepared and eager to learn. Altogether 47 pastors from the Pentecostal Denomination and 40 pastors from the Episcopal denomination were trained. Each one has committed to begin a CBSI Bible study in their church.

Maury was also met with encouraging news as he verified that there are already over 40 classes established and growing as a result of last December’s training. The pastors who were trained last December established their studies, targeting teachers and community leaders, with the intent that these leaders would then start their own classes in their homes and villages. It has been very successful, for many are asking when more study guides will be available so that they can begin. Over 600 members are now in the CBSI studies with the expectation that this number will double in one month.

Maury has helped these leaders print up 2,500 additional books of CBSI studies to help meet the great desire to delve into God’s Word. In the future, they will be able to sustain the growth and cost of production at their own expense. Four hundred CBSI studies were also printed for Bishop Simeon’s 36 churches. These particular churches are the poorest of the poor physically, but are expressing a strong desire to study the Word. There are 6,000 people in these poor churches who will have the CBSI program available to them.

With over 1,000,000 Pentecostals residing in Burundi, the leadership is committed to getting as many as possible into the study of the Word through CBSI. Those currently studying the book of Acts are already inquiring what is next available. The book of Matthew is under translation and is expected to be completed this fall.

Maury has plans to return to Burundi in November to train pastors in the Northern Provinces before recycling back to the Southern and Central Provinces to train those who were unable to attend the first sessions.
Burundi’s leadership has the goal of having over 100,000 people in CBSI Bible studies by the year 2011. With God’s grace, it will be done!

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