Bruce spent 20 years as a United States Army officer before attending Covenant Theological Seminary. Before their last year at Covenant, Bruce and Barbara took a year off to teach at the African Bible College in Malawi, from August 1996 until July 1997. During their years at Covenant they also spent a summer in England working at L’Abri and another summer doing Biblical archaeology in Jordan at one of the Decapolis cities, Abila. They were seeking God’s direction for which area of ministry He desired them to be involved in after seminary.

Ministry Update

The Wannemachers’ were called to South Africa with Mission to the World, and Bruce started teaching at the Bible Institute of South Africa in January 2001. He is one often faculty members, teaching 31 first-year students. These are men and women mostly from South Africa, but also from Mozambique, Angola, Namibia, Sierra Leone, Kenya, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Europe, and one from the United States. Some will be pastors, and others will go back home to become Bible translators, as the Bible has still not been translated into their tribal languages.

Bruce has also been working in the black townships disciplining African men who are pastors, ages 35 to 65. Because of the legacy of apartheid, they were never able to obtain any formal secondary education. Bruce is also writing and editing materials for the distance learning program.

Barbara is involved in ministry with the women students at the Bible Institute, as well as a hospitality ministry to all the students.

Praises

Praise God for the wonderful way He worked in the lives of the students during the outreach week to the black African township community in April 2001. Bruce and Barbara are thankful for the good completion of their first semester at the Bible Institute, and for providing schooling for Beth in South Africa.

Pray for Their Ministry

Pray for God’s wisdom in the Wannemachers’ ministry of teaching and training black African pastors in the township. Pray that God would open up a possible opportunity for Barbara to present the Gospel in a weekly class at a black township school. Pray that God would use them to bring the salt and light of the Gospel to the African continent.

Pray for Those They Serve

Pray for the safety of the black pastors in the townships where Bruce teaches. Pray that God would guide and direct the Bible Institute students as they study and work in various Christian ministries in the Cape Town area.

Pray for Them

Pray for the Wannemachers’ safety as they live and minister in South Africa. Pray for God’s direction for Beth as she completes high school in 2002.