About Us

“Dumisani Theological Institute and Bible School was founded in the Eastern Cape as Dimbaza Bible School (in Dimbaza Township) in 1979 by missionaries of the Free Church of Scotland (FCOS), the Free Church in Southern Africa (FCSA), and the two congregations of the Reformed Churches in South Africa (RCSA) – East London. The Black churches of the FCSA and RCSA had few trained ministers in the Eastern Cape, hence the need to train ministers in the Truth of the Word of God. Dimbaza Bible School was training two to three pastors and evangelists for the two churches per year on campus and had some correspondence courses (via post) for all Christians who desired to know more of God. The Bible School also had special training workshop days at Dimbaza.

As more people converted to Christianity, the need for training more pastors increased to cope with the increasing number of converts and congregations. The Bible School also added a theological institute and provided more intensive training, which led to an increase in student enrollments. The Dimbaza Bible School relocated to King Williams Town as Dumisani Theological Institute and Bible School, a location that is central to the whole of the Eastern Cape.

As time passed, the leadership of Dumisani opened its doors to train pastors from all denominations in the Eastern Cape and beyond. This decision came after the realization that most other Black churches also had ordained pastors without any theological training. Although all denominations could send their pastors for training, not all potential trainee pastors could make it to Dumisani due to obstacles beyond their control. To address this, the college leadership implemented mobile theological training, where lecturers would visit different parts of the Eastern Cape for two to three days of training workshops with groups of pastors. The two methods of training pastors were supplemented by correspondence courses for all Christians, including prison inmates.

We are encouraged by this, and we are praying the Lord will continue to guide us to reach far and wide with the truth of the Word until the biblical worldview stands above the cultural one.”

Our Vision

Dumisani Theological Institute seeks to enact its vision, in dependence upon God and the working of His Spirit, by providing theological education and training that emphasizes growth in the understanding of biblical truth (and all truth in the light of Scripture), maturity in Christian character and witness, and the development of ministry skills for faithful and effective service in the mission of the church.

Our Mission

To be a community of Christian disciples, fully dedicated to the worship of the living God, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and to participating in the mission God has entrusted to His church in the power of the Holy Spirit and in accordance with the Word. In this attitude, Dumisani Theological Institute seeks to provide theological education and training of the highest quality that is spiritually beneficial, academically rigorous, and culturally relevant to the glory of God.

A Brief Profile Of Rev Dr. Patrick Mncedisi Diniso

Rev. Dr. PM Diniso was born near East London. To be precise he comes from Soto village which is thirty (30) kilometers from East London, and it falls under Mooiplaas. He is married to Nokwanda Somzana Diniso, and they are blessed with four children and one grandchild who has just recently joined the family. He is currently the Deputy Principal of Dumisani Theological Institute and Bible School. Dr. Diniso is also a Chaplain in the South African National Defence Force.

Academic Achievements

He studied and completed his qualifications from the following institutions:
University of Stellenbosch, University of Fort Hare, North West University, University of Pretoria, South African Theological Seminary, and Dumisani Theological Institute and Bible School. His qualifications range from undergraduate to post graduate levels. At post graduate level, Rev. Dr. Diniso holds Master of Philosophy from Stellenbosch University. He also obtained his Doctor of philosophy in Theology from the University of Fort Hare.

Publications

  • Rev. Dr. Diniso has co – published three articles, and published two articles. He has written and published two books with the following topics:
  • A post Covid South Africa: Living with scars: A journey of the healing of memories.
  • Equipping Xhosa Christian parents to journey with their bereaved children: A journey of anguish and hope.
  • He is currently writing another book with the following topic:
    Overcoming low self-esteem: A journey of self-discovery.

 Rev. Dr. Diniso specialised in child counselling during bereavement through Play Therapy. 

He is also trained in trauma counselling.
He is also registered as Pastoral care Counsellor at category 7 (Advance Religious Specialist in Christian Pastoral Counselling).
SAQA registration number: CPSC D00478/2023.

Accredited training for pastors and ministry leaders

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