Michael and Bernadette Boone
What do you do when you hear God’s call?
In Zambia (and often in sub-Saharan Africa), there is no lack of pastors, but as many as 90% have had little to no biblical training. In America, the average churchgoer who sits under a bible-teaching pastor receives more biblical teaching than most pastors in Zambia.
There are a few bible schools, but most pastors cannot afford to attend. As a result, much of the teaching in rural churches do not line up with scripture, especially in the outer areas.
After taking a missions class called Perspectives on the World Christian Movement, Michael left the engineering field with a burden to minister to African pastors. He obtained a THM in Pastoral Counseling, emphasizing Leadership Development from Dallas Theological Seminary, and subsequently worked in inner-city ministry and as an international conference developer. Before moving to Zambia, Michael served as Missions and Outreach pastor for almost 20 years at a local church and served in leadership development, men’s ministry, and pastoral counseling roles. He met his wife, Bernadette, at church, where she served in singles ministry, small group ministry, and lay counseling, missions, and youth ministry during her time there. Bernadette has a business degree and worked in human resources for almost 20 years prior to becoming a full-time missionary. Their combined service has ministered in over 15 countries, including Zambia, Mexico, DR Congo, Jamaica, and South Africa.
Michael and Bernadette are based in Lusaka, Zambia. However, they also conduct training in other cities in Zambia, such as Livingstone, Luanshya, Mansa, and Lubumbashi (DR Congo). Michael and Bernadette are raising up leadership teams by training pastors (Michael) and youth leaders (Bernadette) using the “Train the Trainer” model, thereby creating sustainability. Once pastors and youth leaders are qualified as master trainers, they lead their leadership groups to train other leaders. Michael and Bernadette teach bible survey, bible study methods, tackle subjects relevant to the church community, pastors, and youth (who make up over half the nation’s population). Michael and Bernadette also teach on practical topics such as finances, business basics, and how to create income opportunities within the context of the indigenous culture.
Zambians face many hardships such as high unemployment, disease, poor medical care, extreme poverty, and hopelessness. However, Michael and Bernadette believe that God is moving in sub-Saharan Africa. Through authentic relationships, biblical teaching, discipleship, and counseling, the pastor’s lives are transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit.