Ministerial Training School​—A Blessing for the Field

In 1995 the first class of the Ministerial Training School was organized in Kinshasa. By April 2003, more than 400 brothers had received training in 16 classes. Five of the students have become district overseers, and over 60 are serving in the circuit work. Fifty others have been appointed as special pioneers. These brothers prove to be a real asset in contributing to the enthusiasm for the preaching work.

For some it was not easy to attend the school. When Georges Mutombo received a letter of invitation to attend, he lived in an area of the country controlled by forces opposed to the government. He had to travel 250 miles [400 km] by bicycle to Kamina before being able to catch a plane for Kinshasa, where the school was to be held. His journey involved enduring three days of rain and passing through 16 military checkpoints. He also rode through territory where crime was rampant. At one point, he was chased by a group of bandits, also on bicycles. The chase ended when a tire blew on the lead bicycle of the pursuing group. Evidently, the bandits recognized Georges as a Witness by his appearance. They shouted that they would not chase him anymore, as they could see that his God, Jehovah, was with him.

[Picture on page 238]

The first class of the Ministerial Training School in Congo (Kinshasa) in 1995