The project aims to equip Christian students from Africa, studying in the UK with skills to accurately and persuasively teach the Bible in their countries. It aims to ease other Christian students from these parts of the world into Christian Unions and into churches. This document refers exclusively to the first phase of the project (1999 - 2004 - raising weekend preachers among professionals in Africa.)

Who benefits from the project?

In the first phase, the three main groups of African churches will benefit; that is Arabic, White and Black churches. In the later stages (2005 onwards) Students from other parts of the world may join – subject to approval by the project’s Reference Group.

How are the goals to be achieved?

By igniting zeal for God's word and its faithful study, teaching and obedience. By stimulating culturally relevant application of the word and evangelism among the target students.

This is to be done
By appropriating training offerred by Universities and Colleges Christian Fellowship (UCCF) and Cornhill Training Course and other evangelical bodies in the UK.

Having been trained,
The students return to their countries of origin to promote the faithful study, culturally relevant application of the word and evangelism.

They will do this
Through a network of IFES affiliated bodies and other evangelical avenues in their home countries. The network will be brought to life by the project. Through it, the returnees will have mentors and opportunities to teach the Word. Thus they will promote its study and obedience while receiving moral and prayer support from the network.

Uniqueness of the proposal
God is adding huge numbers of converts to His church in Africa. Because of this, there is a great need for gifted Bible teachers. Unfortunately, most churches cannot pay for gifted people who can teach the Word faithfully and persuasively and hence the need for professionals who are also weekend preachers.

British universities attract large numbers of students from those regions. There are over 15,000 students from Africa pursuing tertiary education. Few attend Christian unions or benefit from the numerous training opportunities in the UK to promote the faithful study of God's word. The Philip project is a way to ease the dire need for Bible teachers in those countries.
Good Christian books are plentiful in the UK but rare in the target countries. This project provides a way for the target churches to benefit from some of these resources.
The start up and recurrent costs are low because the project is designed to make use of exisiting training facilities and resources. The students meet their own travel costs to the training venues.