Why we’re building a Bible institute in West Africa

West Africa needs more than activity. It needs strong, Bible-grounded local churches. Therefore, we focus on training servants who can teach, disciple, and endure.

In addition, we believe long-term missions work strengthens when local churches carry it forward. When churches grow stable, they also reproduce. In short, we’re praying for churches planting churches.

Servant leaders training future servant leaders

We do not want to train people to chase titles. Instead, we want to train servants who lead by example. That kind of leadership looks steady, humble, and dependable.

Here is a line that captures a real ministry test: “The problem with being a servant is that it is all well and good until someone treats us like a servant.” Sooner or later, that moment comes. As a result, character matters as much as knowledge.

Because of that, this institute will emphasize doctrine and character together. We want leaders who preach truth clearly and also carry pressure with Christlike spirit.

How this strengthens church planting

God often multiplies the work through trained workers from within a region. For example, a leader who knows the culture and language can disciple with clarity and patience.

Meanwhile, trained servants strengthen existing churches by taking responsibility with maturity. Over time, those churches can reproduce. That’s how we move toward healthy multiplication across West Africa.

Where things stand right now (Coming Soon)

We are still finalizing the institute structure. The official name is not locked in yet, and the course direction is still taking shape. Nevertheless, the purpose is clear: train servant leaders for ministry and local church strength.

Soon, this page will include the institute name, mission statement, course tracks, student expectations, and start dates. In the meantime, the email list is the easiest way to stay updated.

How your church can help (prayer and partnership)

Pastors often ask, “How should we pray?” Here are clear ways to pray with us as we build the West Africa Bible Institute:

• Wisdom as we finalize structure, timeline, and course direction.
• The right students—teachable servants who will endure in ministry.
• Local church strength so churches can plant churches across West Africa.
• Provision for training materials, teaching tools, and ministry logistics.
• Open doors for the gospel and lasting fruit.

If the Lord leads you to partner financially, your support helps us build training that multiplies ministry. Even small, steady partnership makes a difference over time.

Prayer Card (Quick Prayer Points)

If you’d like to add this to your weekly prayer list, here are five simple requests:

1. Wisdom for the Consfords as we finalize the institute plan and timeline.
2. Workers—servant-hearted men and women whom God is preparing for ministry.
3. Strength for local churches, that they would be grounded and multiplying.
4. Provision for training resources, teaching materials, and ministry needs.
5. Open doors for the gospel, so churches can plant churches across West Africa.

If God places it on your heart to give, your partnership helps us equip servants who will strengthen churches and carry the work forward.

Stay connected as the institute takes shape

Because this is a Coming Soon page, we will post updates as they are ready. Even so, email remains the fastest way to stay in the loop. Join the list here: consfords.com/connect.

Laura and I are grateful for every church that prays, gives, and stands with us. By God’s grace, we believe this institute can strengthen the work—churches planting churches—for years to come.