The smiles were wide as another 6 students from the Africa Evangelical Church (AEC), SIM's partner church, graduated from the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi in September. However, their work has only just begun.

The Pastor's Challenges

Most AEC pastors look after multiple churches and preaching points because there are only about 40 trained pastors for more than 80 AEC congregations. Most of the churches are in rural locations, spread far apart, along rough, rocky roads. Travelling long distances by foot or bicycle to care for their congregations is especially challenging during rainy season.

The church is reaching out to many of the poorest people in Malawi. Church members struggle to put food on the table and only have small offerings to pay the pastors. Despite small economic resources, the churches are pouring themselves out in response to the AIDS crisis which is devastating families and entire villages. These pastors continue to minister in these tough conditions because they love God and their fellow Malawians.

Encouragement and Training

Would you consider encouraging and equipping these faithful servants in their ministry? We are planning a special HIV/AIDS seminar for pastors and wives in December, 2006. It will have a three-fold purpose:

• Encourage them through times of teaching, devotions, Bible talks and fellowship together.
• Equip them in the fight against AIDS through a series of special talks about AIDS, the churches response, youth prevention, and marriage.
• Enable them to carry on in their ministry to reach out with the good news of Jesus.

About US $3600 can bring 90 pastors and their wives from all over Malawi to stay at the Bible College in Blantyre for four days. This is only US $10 per person per day for this important time of training, equipping and encouraging. Would you consider giving US $40 to train one pastor? This gift will have an eternal impact and bring a smile to even more faces! Thank you for your partnership to strengthen the church in Malawi!

Watch the Malawi HOPE for AIDS video