March 23, 2012
Rev. Bob Collins, executive director for Alliance Chaplains, recently led a team to Mali, West Africa, where team members participated in medical outreach and chaplaincy training. Partnering with Alliance Bible Church in Waco, Texas, the International Association of Evangelical Chaplains (IAEC), and Alliance international workers in Mali, Bob and his team explored partnership opportunities between Alliance Bible Church, where Bob is an elder, and Koutiala Hospital for Women and Children. Bob also hosted the introductory hospital and prison chaplaincy training program for Malian pastors, chaplains, and students.
“The Waco team, served at Koutiala Hospital,” says Bob. “Dr. Jack Vance was the first dentist to come to the hospital. Many were lined up, waiting for treatment.”
A New Work
While the Waco team was at the hospital, Bob focused on chaplaincy training, which took place in Koutiala and Bamako, Mali’s capital. Alliance chaplain Rich Gorman and his wife, Deb, joined Bob in the presentation to more than 20 attendees in each location.
Students attended six classes, which included courses in peacemaking, the importance of prayer, and death and dying. “Knowing the Malian views of death and their traditions was extremely important,” Bob says. “(Alliance international workers in Africa) were extremely helpful in coaching Rich and me in this experience.”
Students were presented with certificates upon completion of the seminar. “These classes will change our country!” said one student.
The training program was well received; Bob and Rich desire to return with an expanded training team. “This was the first chaplain training provided in this country,” Bob says. “God is at work in a different way in Mali now. Pray that He will provide all that is required for this large undertaking as we follow His call.”
What You Can Do
Pray that the students of the training program will take the initial lessons learned and apply it in their daily interactions with Malian people.
Pray that God will provide for Bob and Rich to continue this important training in Africa.
Donate to the Great Commission Fund, which enables international workers to be on the field to facilitate partnership initiatives like the chaplaincy training.
Learn More
Alliance chaplains are on the front lines of ministry, whether institutionally or militarily. Read about God’s work through Alliance chaplains who have served in overseas war zones.