Zambia Hunt

Recently, we had the pleasure of hosting a PhD candidate on our campus at Central Africa Baptist University (CABU). This visiting scholar, currently on a tour of Christian universities across Africa, spent a couple of hours engaging with us in meaningful conversation. During our interaction, he posed a thought-provoking question to our own Sandala Mwanje: “What makes CABU unique in comparison to other Christian universities in Africa?”

As I hastily jotted down Sandala’s response, three key points emerged that I believe truly capture the essence of our institution:

1. The Church Ethos: At CABU, we deeply understand and prioritize the role of the local church. We intentionally guide our students to grasp its significance, requiring them to become associate members of a church in Kitwe by their second semester. This approach ensures they are both shepherded and given opportunities to serve.
2. Servant-Leadership: We emphasize humility and a spirit of brokenness in our approach to leadership.
3. Discipleship Ethos: Our philosophy is that education serves as a tool for making disciples. We foster a “life-on-life” approach to mentorship and growth.

These points resonated strongly with me, affirming the values we strive to embody at CABU.

Room for Improvement

In the spirit of continuous growth, our visiting scholar also offered insights on areas where we could enhance our institution:

1. Expand and improve our academic offerings
2. Refine our instructional delivery methods
3. Enhance communication and information flow
4. Strengthen our alumni follow-up initiatives
5. Ensure organizational stability and maintain our focus
6. Boost our fundraising efforts

As our guest wisely noted, “I have learned that just because someone claims something, does not necessarily mean that they actually value or produce that claim.” This serves as a poignant reminder for us to consistently align our actions with our stated values and continuously strive for excellence in all aspects of our university.

We are grateful for the fresh perspective brought by our visiting friend. These insights will undoubtedly contribute to our ongoing mission of nurturing servant-leaders grounded in faith and academic excellence.