By Megan Patterson, Transformational Teaching Ministry
Pierre and Claudette* have both been through the Transformational Teaching workshops I run and are now putting the lessons they have learned into practice in their respective school classrooms.
Claudette, who has a class of 60 in a primary school with a Muslim headmaster, said: “In the government school I am now in, my colleagues call me ‘Madame Gentil’ (Mrs Kind). It’s because of what we learnt at the Transformational Teaching workshops about every child being made in the image of God. Consequently, it’s the way I always try to treat the children and my colleagues.
“I have one child this year who has quite severe learning difficulties. I cherish him and already he is learning to fold his arms, to listen quietly and to put his hand up.”
Pierre, who has taught at the same Christian school for 18 years, said: “As I see it, Christian education is fundamentally about the transformed heart of the teacher. It’s not about dropping God’s name into our lessons or turning our classroom into a Sunday School.”
As I see it, Christian education is fundamentally about the transformed heart of the teacher.
It was a treat to watch Claudette in action in the classroom. She had been entrusted with the first class, with children ranging in age from about four to eight. Between them they speak eight different languages, while Claudette teaches them in a ninth, French!
I saw her energetic troop eagerly follow their calm, warm teacher outside to have a lesson under the tree. “It’s cooler outside and I know they will concentrate better,” Claudette explained.
I couldn’t help but notice that no other teacher had this idea. I sat a while in her headmaster’s office. After thanking him for letting me visit, he was quick to praise Claudette.
“She is an excellent teacher,” he said. “That’s why I’ve given her the first class. It’s very important that the first and last class have the best teachers. I take the last class. Claudette has them when they begin school.”
Pierre has no doubt that their faith has an impact, both on the way they teach and on the way others see them. He said: “We have more freedom here but, wherever we are, what matters is how we behave, everyone notices. Most of the children are from Muslim homes. All the parents know we follow Jesus. One day these children will confess Jesus too!”
Please pray
- For Pierre and Claudette as they face the daily challenges of displaying Jesus in their teaching.
- For the Transformational Teaching workshops to have a continuing impact for Christ across the globe.
- For teachers to find creative ways of showing their faith in countries where Christianity is not the main faith.
You might also like
The Bible has been fully translated into Borgu Fulfulde, the heart language of over 750,000 Fulani in Benin. Discover how this milestone brings gospel hope...
Woury’s journey from violence to faith reveals God’s grace and calling. A Fulani man transformed, now sharing the gospel with people across West Africa...
In a Yao village in Malawi, new followers of Jesus are choosing faith over fear. Despite rejection and persecution, believers like Saidi*, Patuma*, and Ami...
What began with famine and a few men hearing the good news in the city has grown into a flourishing Fulani church. Today, more than 200 households are livi...
AB, a young Fulani Christian, draws strength from his father's unwavering faith in Jesus despite community opposition. Discover how discipleship and pastor...
Imagine being the only Christian you know, not just in your family, but in your entire region. For many Fulani people across West and Central Africa, this ...
In Benin, a gospel-centered ministry is transforming the lives of Fulani talibé street boys—offering food, care, and the love of Christ. Discover how th...
Hambula Musa, a young Fulani man studying veterinary medicine in West Africa, lives in tension between two worlds—his Fulani heritage and his Christian f...
Yakubu Balewa has a deep love for the Fulani people – a love borne of a profound understanding of Jesus’s command to make disciples of all nations.
Christine shares her journey of love, language, and friendship with Fulani women, revealing how God uses relationships to open hearts to His truth.
Spread across 24 countries, the Fulani remain one of the least-reached peoples with the gospel. This October, we share stories of how God is at work among ...
What began with famine and a few men hearing the good news in the city has grown into a flourishing Fulani church. Today, more than 200 households are livi...