The Master’s Academy International takes seriously the call to equip pastor-teachers for the work of the ministry. Our training centers aren’t satisfied with mere academic excellence; TMAI is intent on producing biblically qualified, godly pastors. Prideful, spiritually immature leaders can wreak havoc on a church, but humble men trained to rightly handle the word of truth are a blessing to their entire congregation. Maxwell’s story is just one example of what this priority looks like in action.
Maxwell originally enrolled at Central African Preaching Academy in Malawi as a Master of Divinity (M.Div.) student. However, at his professors’ recommendation, he withdrew from that program to enroll in a more basic, baccalaureate-level program. Even though the more advanced degree likely would have translated to greater influence and higher pay, Maxwell was humble enough to acknowledge that he was struggling to grasp the content at the M.Div. level. Please pray for Maxwell, and for TMAI students like him who are striving to be faithful to the Word of God He agreed that the Bachelor of Theology (B.Th.) program would better serve him—thereby equipping him to better serve his congregation.
During his time in the B.Th. program, Maxwell’s professors grew to respect his careful thinking, his eagerness to learn, and his steady hand in shepherding the flock entrusted to him. His choices in ministry haven’t been defined by a desire for prestige, or for stability and security—quite the contrary! Over the last several years, Maxwell experienced deepening concern over the doctrinal trajectory and ungodly leadership of the church he helped plant back in 2013. Rather than maintaining the status quo of what he’s done in the past, Maxwell has been pursuing these concerns with the leadership of the denomination. Understandably, this is a process that is testing his faith and is calling for the exercise of godly wisdom and patience.
We praise God for the genuineness of Maxwell’s faith being proven through this trial (1 Peter 1:6–7). Please pray for Maxwell, and for TMAI students like him who are striving to be faithful to the Word of God—not for prestige, and not for material success, but for the sake of Christ and for the benefit of His church.
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If you’d like to help train more men like Maxwell to preach God’s Word, even in the face of widespread doctrinal confusion and serious opposition, supporting TMAI’s training centers around the world is a great way to do that. We hope you’ll join us as we strive to carry out our Lord’s Great Commission as strategically as possible—equipping called, qualified men to stand firm on the Word of God and to shepherd the flock entrusted to their care.
photo: Pastor Maxwell and his wife, Ellen.
