Equipping leaders
Roger Kemp has an extraordinary legacy of service with Baptist Mission Australia over the past four ( plus !) decades . He is passionate about building up local faith leaders and is the facilitator of our Scholarship Project . Here , he gives an update .
Pictured ( top to bottom ): Ananta Rabha , Kiranjay Rabha and Stephen Mecemrai , Muanpuii Mecemrai , and Roger Kemp .
On my recent visit to Assam , India , I was reminded of the big difference that Australian Baptists are making to the development of the church in many places around the world . In this case it was Assam where I met four church leaders who have benefited from the scholarship fund of Baptist Mission Australia .
Let me tell you something of their story .
Stephen Mecemrai and Kiranjay Rabha
Stephen was the General Secretary of the Rabha Baptist Church Union ( RBCU ) when we offered him a scholarship to complete his Master of Christian Management in Bangalore , India . His scholarship amounted to $ 6,000 .
Stephen is now the regional pastor in West Bengal for the RBCU . However , his health hasn ’ t been the best recently , so he has called upon a colleague – Mr Kiranjay Rabha – to help him . Kiranjay has also benefited from a scholarship – gaining his Bachelor of Divinity from Union Biblical Seminary at a cost of $ 5,600 .
Steven shares , “ It is very helpful for Rabha people and the Rabha church to have leaders trained through the scholarship program . It is not possible for the churches to sponsor such leaders in their training .
The Rabhas are very grateful to Baptist Mission Australia for their long partnership in the scholarship program .”
Muanpuii Mecemrai
Munapuii , Stephen ’ s wife , also benefited from a scholarship . Muanpuii has been very active in the Rabha women ’ s program , holding several offices .
One area that Muanpuii has excelled at is using the weaving skills of the Rabha women ( who she has taught ) to produce scarves and bags for sale . She has also taken women into West Bengal and used their weaving skills as a means of evangelism . It has proven very successful .
Ananta Rabha
Another recipient of a scholarship has been Ananta Rabha . Ananta has spent the last 15 years working with a group of helpers , translating the Bible into easily readable Rabha . It is now ready for printing . Ananta is pursuing a D . Min degree in Mizoram . He is a key church leader and teacher for Rabha churches .
These are just four stories of many people who have benefited from Baptist Mission Australia scholarships over the years . Currently we have twenty church leaders who are in the scholarship program .
The annual cost of these scholarships is around $ 21,000 with students coming from Malawi , Zambia and India . There are applications for scholarships that are on hold because there isn ’ t the guarantee of funds to meet the need .
This is where we need your help .
In partnership , any amount makes a difference . Your gift helps spread the Gospel by helping train current and future church leaders .
To partner with this Scholarship Project visit : www . baptistmission australia . org / Scholarships
RESONATE ISSUE 40 | PAGE 7