Discipleship + Ag At Ebenezer Schools!
Dear friends of AgGrandize, we’re thrilled to introduce you to a partner training school in several African countries called Ebenezer Matabo. These schools focus on blending discipleship and agriculture to help young Africans secure work in the ag sector while strengthening the local church.
It’s been our joy to learn more about this program, but we’d like to share directly from our partners about this program so you can hear about it from them, in their own words. Below is more information, and stay tuned for more stories about this beautiful effort!
ABOUT EBENEZER
Started in 2007, the Ebenezer Trust is a church initiative that exists to disciple young people to live fruitful and wholehearted lives for Christ in their communities. Discipling within an agricultural business context, we equip our apprentices with relevant skills to be productive and profitable, with the potential to transform communities and inspire others.
HOW DOES EBENEZER WORK?
Ebenezer takes full time residential apprentices for courses lasting between 3 months and 2 years. Within an inclusive and fun family environment, staff and apprentices live and work together to grow in our relationship with God, ourselves, others and creation. Through organized programs, interactions and intentional coaching relationships, we seek to know Jesus better, express our faith in every day life, grow in our capacity to serve others and learn to live with an eternal perspective! We believe that alongside discipleship to live passionate God-centred lives, young people also need the skills and resources necessary to be productive and profitable. Therefore, Ebenezer apprentices also receive practical and relevant instruction in business principles, agriculture, communication and numeracy. Training at Ebenezer combines classroom teaching and discussion with practical outworking in our productive learning areas. Therefore each apprentice not only learns about agriculture and business, they gain hands on experience and have the opportunity to partner in the running of an agricultural business.
COURSES
Ebenezer runs a 3 tier training program for 18-23 year-olds. All apprentices join us for a 3 month Foundation course from which they may graduate into our Intermediate course and then into a further year-long Advance course. All of our courses incorporate Christian discipleship alongside training and teaching in Bible, Agriculture, Business, Communication and Numeracy.
FOUNDATION (3 MONTHS)
On completion of our Foundation course, an Ebenezer graduate has learnt basic agricultural skills using Foundations for Farming principles applied to a maize crop and broiler chickens. They also have a basic concept of the overall message of the Bible.
INTERMEDIATE (9 MONTHS)
On completion of our Intermediate course, an Ebenezer graduate has gained understanding and experience of contract farming through a business partnership with us. They have had exposure to farming both crops and livestock and they have gained in-depth hands on experience in one or more of the following areas: cropping, poultry or dairy. They have understood the five key pillars in Agriculture and Business. Intermediate graduates leave us with a broad foundational knowledge of the Bible and Christian faith. They have also advanced their communication and numeracy skills.
ADVANCED (2ND YEAR)
By the time apprentices graduate from our Advance course they have had in-depth practical training in the Five Pillars of Agriculture and Business. They have had extensive hands on experience in one or more of the following areas: cropping, poultry or dairy, and they have actually experienced running a small-scale business. Advanced graduates have increased their knowledge of the Bible and how to practically live out their faith in everyday life. They have also advanced their communication and numeracy skills.
