As a 15 year-old boy, Mário became a Christian and was promptly disowned by his family. His pastor took him in and cared for him as his own son. Today, Mário pastors one of the most dynamic congregations in Beira, Mozambique. It reaches out into every segment of society and to all nationalities. On any Sunday, you will hear AIDS orphans sing as a choir; see desperately poor people mingling with some of the richest; see Mozambicans, Nigerians, Ethiopians and Americans; healthy people as well as the sick and dying, young and old, all worshipping together to the glory of God.

Mário is a 1994 graduate of Sofala Bible Institute, a theological school which is the fruit of a partnership between AIM International and churches in Beira. Classes began in 1989 using revamped shipping containers. Six years later, a purpose-built classroom block with office and library space was opened. Currently, the school has 41 Diploma-level students, while 15 are doing the Certificate programme and ten are training as Sunday School teachers.

The diploma program runs for three years with students studying five nights per week during three terms. This enables many to work during the day to support their families, and to maintain their ministry within their churches. In total, 96 students have graduated from the diploma programme and are serving churches and communities in various parts of Mozambique.

The school is now ready for the next step – a dream to establish an accredited Bachelor of Arts programme in Theology. The desire is to see more pastors like Mário leading the church forward and, in the years to come, suitably qualified Mozambicans teaching at all levels in the Bible school. As part of their course, students will be specifically trained to meet the spiritual, social, and physical needs of local communities, many of whose people have acute needs. One example of this is that nearly 40% of Beira’s population is HIV positive. But the school requires more classroom and office space. Land has been provided by the city council, which has also approved building plans proposed by SBI. The estimated cost of the required extension work to the school is £470,000. A local Christian engineer is overseeing the project.