North Africa (MNN) — North Africa was a thriving center of theological thought in the early centuries of Christianity. Today, the Program for Theological Education by Extension, or PTEE, seeks to bring North African Christians back to their historic roots.
“When I say ‘North Africa,’ I’m mostly referring to places like Algeria, Morocco, Libya, Tunisia,” says a PTEE leader we’ll call Daniel.
“In all of these countries, the majority is not Christianity. Some of these countries might have low thousands, some low hundreds of local believers in Christ.”
(Photo courtesy of PTEE)
In Morrocco, believers meet in secret because of the severe persecution. However, the Christian population is growing, and young local leaders are emerging in multiple cities.
Theological training takes a holistic approach in this country. “Christians from any background can set up businesses that help people. As part of one of these businesses, we can host PTEE classes,” Daniel says.
“The model would be that students are also trained in business and can go and set up their own business centers with accompanying PTEE classes.”
PTEE sought to begin work here several months ago when “somebody in Morocco invited [us] to come. He wants us to help him set up a study center there to train him and other believers who can then train others,” Daniel says.
“The needs there seem particularly pronounced; a lot of Christians are struggling.”
PTEE trains Christian leaders across the Arabic-speaking world. More about that here.
Ask the Lord to empower and encourage Christ-followers throughout North Africa. Pray that training from PTEE will help believers grow closer to Jesus.
“Believers in these regions have suffered so much and are still facing a lot of persecution,” Daniel says. “People are quite cautious and can be slow to trust one another, so please pray for healthy relationships between local believers within and across these countries.”
Header image is a representative stock photo courtesy of Michal/Pixabay.
