History of the UMC University
Upon elected as the resident Bishop of the South Congo and Zambia Episcopal Area at the Congo Central Conference held in Kamina, in the Republic Democratic of Congo, on 17th March 2017, His Grace the Bishop, Professor Kasap Owan Tshibang invited the Zambia delegation to express his gratitude and at the same time, he opened up his mind by seeing Zambia Conference with a University.
He said, “it is only the Zambia Conference that has no theological institution for training clergies on higher education.
I will do what I can to help Zambia with an institution of higher learning the Bishop concluded.
At the 2017 Zambia Annual Conference held at New Life Centre, in Kitwe, a commission on Zambia University was created and tasked for the feasibilities of having a University opened in Zambia according to the Laws and regulations of the Zambia procedures .
The report was presented at the executive committee held at New Life Centre in February 2018 and needed more work to be done.
At the 2018 Zambia Annual Conference held in Zambezi, His Grace the Bishop Kasap Owan Tshibang appointed the University commission constituted with the following members: Chairperson Rev. Dr. Laishi Bwalya, Vice Rev. Dr. Samuel Chakamba, Secretary Deaconess Josephine Mbilishi,Members Rev. Kilembo Shakikup,Prof. Francois Chipeng, Mrs. Annie Kaera,Rev. Lenox Sakuwaha
.
The Agenda of the commission was as follows:
To find the facility to be used by the University.
1.Facility to be used for the university.
2.How to source funds for the University.
3.How to set a library.
4.Opening a bank account.
5.Scholarships.
6.Salaries for lecturers and support staff.
7.Paper works for the University.
Below are the resolutions taken by the commission and were adopted by the Zambia Annual Conference delegates:
1.The commission has assigned the Rev. Kilembo Shakikupe for a talk with the Henright family in order to secure some facilities at Kafamkumba Training center. As we wait for the feedback, the other alternative will be to start the Program at the Zambia Annual Conference Office.
2.The following sources were identified: the General Board of Higher Education Ministries (GBHEM), local gifts from social cooperate responsibility (mines, banks, and government), donors, partners and volunteers. It was resolved that the University will start with the Faculty of Theology.
3.The commission resolved that it is possible to set up an E-Library through the Board of Discipleship, sourcing the books, and second hands computers from other institutions of higher learning .
4.The commission resolved to use the Zambia Annual Conference account until all the procedures of the University are complete.
5.The commission resolved that scholarship may be available through CCTF, connexion Board, creation of local scholarship funds, university Sunday to be held once every year in four months (all the offerings to be directed to the University). For 2019, the first week of March, June, September and December are allocated for the University Sunday.
6.The lecturers are expected to work as volunteers, but a token of appreciation may be given when funds are available.
7.The Rev. Kilembo Shakikupe was tasked for the sub-division of the land and the paper work for the 5 hectares of land allocated to the University.
Our Vision
To be among the best Christian Universities of higher learning in Zambia, Africa and worldwide, in equipping and empowering men and women for the glory of God through knowledge and Christian sound doctrine.
Our Mission Statement
The United Methodist University in Zambia exists to train and equip men and women as pastors and lay in order to serve God biblically in the Church so that the Great Commission of our Lord Jesus Christ will be fulfilled in Africa and worldwide.
Our Goals
-Provision of high quality Education and Research.
-Commitment to high standards in Academic programs on offer in order to meet international standards.
Our Objectives
-Commitment to professionalism, social accountability and self -discipline among staff and students.
-Culture of a spirit of service to the community.
-Identification in the Academia through research and publications.
Our Core Values
-Ethical behaviour rooted in transparency and Accountability
-Relationships of mutual respect and trust.
-Self- sustainability and competitive education outcomes.
-Ecumenical set up with an atmosphere of collegiality and openness .
-Upholding the dignity of human life.
-Commitment to Staff Development.
Doctrinal Statement
HOLY BIBLE
We believe in the Holy Bible, Old and New Testaments, reveals the Word of God so far as it is necessary for our salvation.
It is to be received through the Holy Spirit as the true rule and guide for faith and practice.
Whatever is not revealed in or established by the Holy Scripture is not to be made an article of faith nor is it to be taught as essential to salvation.
GOD
We believe in the one true, holy and living God, Eternal Spirit, who is Creator, Sovereign and Preserver of all things visible and invisible.
He is infinite in power, wisdom, justice, goodness and love, and rules with gracious regard for the well-being and salvation of men, to the glory of his name.
We believe the one God reveals himself as the Trinity: Father, Son and Holy Spirit; distinct but inseparable, eternally one in essence and power.
JESUS CHRIST
We believe in Jesus Christ, truly God and truly man, in whom the divine and human natures are perfectly and inseparably united. He is the eternal Word made flesh, the only begotten Son of the Father, born of the Virgin Mary by the power of the Holy Spirit. As ministering Servant he lived, suffered and died on the cross.
He was buried, rose from the dead and ascended into heaven to be with the Father, from whence he shall return. He is eternal Savior and Mediator, who intercedes for us, and by him all men will be judged.
THE HOLY SPIRIT
We believe in the Holy Spirit who proceeds from and is one in being with the Father and the Son. He convinces the world of son, of righteousness and of judgment.
He leads men trough faithful response to the gospel into the fellowship of the church.
He comforts, sustains and empowers the faithful and guides them into all truth.
SIN AND FREE WILL
We believe man is fallen from righteousness and, apart from the grace of our Lord Jesus Christ, is destitute of holiness and inclined to evil.
Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.
In his own strength, without divine grace, man cannot do good works pleasing and acceptable to God.
We believe, however, man influenced and empowered by the Holy Spirit is responsible in freedom to exercise his will for good.
JUSTIFICATION AND RECONCILIATION
We believe we are never accounted righteous before God through our works or merit, but that penitent sinners are justified or accounted righteous before God only by faith in our Lord Jesus Christ.
We believe regeneration is the reward of man in righteousness through Jesus Christ, by the power of the Holy Spirit, whereby we are made partakers of the divine nature and experience newness of life.
By this new birth the believer becomes reconciled to God and is enabled to serve him with the will and the affections.
We believe, although we have experienced regeneration, it is possible to depart from grace and fail into sin; and we may even then, by the grace of God, be renewed in righteousness.
CHURCH
We believe the Christian church is the community of all true believers under the lordship of Christ.
We believe it is one, holy, apostolic and catholic. It is the redemptive fellowship in which the Word of God is preached by men divinely called, and the sacraments are duly administrated according to Christ’s own appointment.
Under the discipline of the Holy Spirit the Church exists for the maintenance of worship, the edification of believers and the redemption of the world.
RECONCILIATION THROUGH CHRIST
We believe God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself. The offering Christ freely made on the cross is the perfect and sufficient sacrifice for the sins of the world.
GOOD WORKS
We believe good works are the necessary fruits of faith and follow regeneration but they do not have the virtue to remove our sins or to avert divine judgment.
We believe good works, pleasing and acceptable to God in Christ, spring from a true and living faith, for through and by them faith is made evident.
Accredition
The United Methodist University in Zambia will be internally affiliated with the following Boards:
- The Technical Education, Vocational and Entrepreneurship Training Authority (TEVETA) and,
- The Teaching Council of Zambia (TCZ).
Academic Staff
The United Methodist University in Zambia will source and select its Academic Faculty members within and outside.
The staff exhibits a great love for God.
They have proven excellence in their fields of study and a great passion for their subject matter.
The Academic staff has diverse and extensive ministry backgrounds and consists of full-time and visiting lecturers from within Zambia and around the world.
Our international academic team provides the student body with educational, cultural, and ministerial diversity.
Library & Computer Lab
Our Library will be equipped with a wide variety of resource materials to ensure quality and in-depth study of the Word of God. The Library will have over 10,000 resources, including books and a large collection of E-books. These resources will help to provide wide and rich exposure to biblical subjects.
From the Library’s Computer, students will engage in keyboarding and computer classes, write the assignments, and engage in biblical research using a wide selection of computer software. Our future quality Library resources and modern Computer Lab will prepare a generation of Christian leaders that can meet the increasing demands of our ever changing world.
Campus Facilities
The Enright Campus is located in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia at the Kafakumba Training Centre, in Luanshya District. The beautiful Campus facilities include the chapel, the administrative offices, Lecture Halls, Library, and Computer Lab and will offer the faculty of Theology and Languages.
The Zambezi Campus is located in the North Western Province of Zambia at the former Lord’s Mountain Orphanage in Zambezi. The Campus will offer the faculty of Agriculture and Computer science.
Accomodation
The University will assist its students in finding suitable accommodation to meet both personal and family needs.
Applicants needing help in finding accommodation should contact the business office for assistance.
Community Life
The University community will be comprised of the staff and the student body.
The University promotes a warm Christian environment where each person is appreciated and loved. Staff and students will be able to interact in a wide variety of settings.
Academic staff will consider the mentoring of students to be a vital part of their ministry at the University.
The students will grow from their interpersonal relationships with other students and will be enriched as they fellowship with students from different ethnic, cultural, and denominational backgrounds. The University Christian community will provide the students with a quality environment for spiritual growth and development.
Academic Programs
Academic Study Options
The University will offer education through two different study options: Day Studies, and Distance Studies.
DAY STUDIES: Day Studies will be offered both part and full-time.
Day students will attend classes throughout the week and will study two semesters each year, from January to June, and July to December.
Day students will participate in campus community life, including classroom lectures, personal time with teaching faculty, chapels, fellowship groups, prayer meetings, and sporting events. They will also benefit from full access to the Library. Day Studies will provide the most intensive and comprehensive form of biblical training at the University.
DISTANCE STUDIES: Distance Studies (correspondence) will enable students to study the courses from the comfort and convenience of their own home while continuing with other life commitments.
Distance students will be required to attend the two weeks-residential programs and will write the final exams.
They can complete all of their coursework from home and at their own pace and send them on due dates. Courses can be picked up personally at the University or can be sent to students by e-mail or postal mail. Completed assignments are submitted to the University, graded by Faculty members, and returned to students. Distance Studies are ideal for those who cannot attend classes at the University or who wish to study at their own pace as they engage in other family, work, and ministry commitments.
Academic Programs
The University will offer two programs of study: the Diploma of Theology (3 years) and Bachelor of Theology Degree (4 years). All two programs will be available through Day Studies and Distance Studies.
Categories of Courses
Three categories of courses will be offered in the Bachelor of Theology degree and Diploma of Theology programs with a total of 99 credit hours:
-20 credit hours of university-wide courses – those required for all the undergraduate students.
-69 credit hours of core course – those required to provide the basic skills and acknowledge to theologically equip a student to the Christian ministry in Africa.
-10 credit hours of Elective course – those that enable the student to acquire more specialized knowledge of a particular theological discipline or to broaden their understanding of theology or related subject.
Field work: this includes Field education and internship. .
Listing Courses: Diploma of Theology
1st Year 1st Semester
| Programs |
|---|
| Introduction to Ministry |
| Pastoral Counseling |
| Theological Thinking |
| World Religions |
| World of Old Testament |
| Communication Skills |
1st Year 2nd Semester
| Programs |
|---|
| Introduction to Ministry |
| Pastoral Care |
| Social Pandemic: the role of the Church |
| Introduction to Religious Studies |
| Introduction to New Testament |
| English for Education Development |
Listing Courses: Bachelor of Theology Degree
1st Year 1st Semester
| Programs |
|---|
| Introduction to Philosophy |
| Introduction to Psychology |
| Financial Administration & Management |
| Information Communication Technology |
| Communication Skills I |
| HIV/AIDS |
1st Year 2nd Semester
| Programs |
|---|
| Introduction to Christian Ministry |
| Introduction to Christian Theology |
| Introduction to the Old Testament |
| Introduction to the New Testament |
| Introduction to Religious Studies |
| Introduction to Pastoral Care |
| Communication Skills II |
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