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A PH.D IN AFRICA FOR AFRICA
In 2003 the Governing Council of Nairobi Evangelical Graduate School of Theology in Nairobi, Kenya, determined to launch a doctoral
program in Biblical and Translation Studies in order to meet the need for African scholars trained in Africa to educate the future
pastors and teachers for the church in Africa. This doctorate will be one of the first for an evangelical seminary in sub-Saharan Africa
and represents the maturing of theological education on the continent.
This doctorate addresses two critical needs of the African church, one for biblical scholars in Old and New Testaments, and the other
for linguists who can train future Bible translators in Africa. NEGST itself will recruit a number of the first graduates from this
program for its own faculty to replace retiring professors, many of them Westerners. There are almost 1000 Bible colleges and schools
on the continent and the need for future teachers and leaders of these schools is obvious. The church in Africa can no longer rely on
the small number of students earning doctorates at U.S. seminaries, many of whom do not return to Africa when they graduate.
This doctorate has some unique features. A cohort of 10-12 students will be recruited to study together for 18 months and then do
research in their own countries and churches producing work in their mother tongues. Degrees will be completed in four years. A common
theme will integrate their studies and determine which visiting faculty will be invited to participate. NEGST offers excellent education
with its present faculty in Old and New Testaments and Translation Studies.
As one of the leading evangelical seminaries on the African continent, NEGST has provided graduate-level education for pastors and
teachers since 1983 when it was established by the Association of Evangelicals in Africa. Its current enrollment of 170 students
represents 18 African and several other countries. Almost half of the 24 full-time faculty are African scholars. Over 400 graduates
are now serving as pastors, professors and denominational leaders across Africa.
A stellar team of visiting scholars has been recruited to give this new doctoral program credibility and quality. University of Aberdeen
professor emeritus, I. Howard Marshall, has not only agreed to teach on occasion but also to help recruit other international scholars
in Biblical Studies and Linguistics. Eastern University provost, Dr. David Fraser, has also been a very active participant in the
planning of this program.
One major partner in this doctoral program is SIL International who provide six of the current faculty in Translation Studies and who
have identified this doctoral program as a key to their long-term goal of indigenization of African Bible translation work. Despite
heroic efforts, there are still 700 languages in Africa needing a translation of the Scriptures. The church in Africa is rising to the
challenge. SIL has committed to providing scholarships for the students they recruit for this doctoral program. Langham Trust/John Stott
Ministries has also agreed to participate in the support of doctoral students at a non-Western evangelical seminary. Currently, NEGST
has identified at least four doctoral candidates in Biblical Studies requiring scholarships of $22,000 per student for four years.
In addition to scholarship funds, NEGST administrators estimate that it will cost $250,000 per year for five years to start and conduct
this doctoral program at the high standards set by its Governing Council. These funds will be used to continue book purchases and provide
Internet access of journals, support staff, honorariums for visiting faculty from Europe and the United States, housing, office and
library facility improvements and travel costs for conferences and research.
CLA has received matching grant funds for the doctoral program at NEGST and is seeking friends and supporters who can help accomplish the
match. Contact CLA executive director, , to learn more.
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