Raising accountable church leaders in Equatorial Guinea

By Millie Bugg

In Equatorial Guinea many pastors start their own churches with little accountability, often without a team of elders or connection to a wider denomination to help guide and support them.

Without input from others, leaders can make decisions that are unchecked, which can lead to division, confusion or unhealthy dynamics in a church.  At the Casa de la Palabra Bible Institute, based in the coastal city of Bata, a new generation of leaders are learning about the need for humility, shared responsibility, and healthy leadership.

In a context where over 90% of pastors work part-time for the church but often carry huge influence and authority as the main leader, Jeff Krohn, SIM mission worker, recently visited the Bible Institute to teach an intensive course on El Evangelio de Juan (Gospel of John).  He explained:

“We discussed in class more than once the need for a plurality of leaders and elders to share responsibility and authority in the church, encouraging the desire for humility in ministry and service, the need to listen, and to be accountable to others.”

By learning to share responsibility and empower others, these pastors are preparing to build churches that reflect the character of Christ and serve their communities faithfully.

Noting that many churches represented in the class were small and often centred around a founding pastor, Jeff quoted New Testament scholar Michael Bird:

“We need our academic training to be an act of ‘service, devotion, worship and love for both God and the church,’ with an attitude to preach Jesus, mentor others, and then be forgotten.”

Through these discussions, students explored practical ways to apply biblical principles of leadership in their own congregations. They reflected on passages such as John 13 – where Jesus washed His disciples’ feet – seeing humility, service, and accountability as essential to healthy church leadership. 

By learning to share responsibility and empower others, these pastors are preparing to build churches that reflect the character of Christ and serve their communities faithfully.

SIM’s partnership with the Bible Institute helps provide access to theological education that was previously discouraged in the country. Equipping this new generation of pastors will nurture a culture of spiritual maturity, where leaders care for their congregations as shepherds who model Christ-like character, disciple others and raise up new leaders.

Over time, these practices will ripple out into wider communities, shaping churches that are healthier, more resilient, and more effective in demonstrating God’s love and truth.