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.
Our Focus
Dumisani Theological Institute’s primary goals are to train pastors from diverse denominations in the Eastern Cape of South Africa and beyond, with a focus on Bible-centered teaching.
They aim to collaborate with churches, Christian institutions, and individuals to promote theological education and produce graduates capable of leading their congregations effectively.
Congregations
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Denominations
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Key Goals
- ✅ Training pastors from at least 10 different congregations each year.
- ✅ Establishing partnerships with churches, mission organizations, theological institutions, and individuals both within and outside of South Africa.
- ✅ Supporting a student body that includes trainee pastors from over 15 denominations.
- ✅ Engaging with notable alumni and current students, including Archbishops, Bishops, and Superintendents from various churches.
- ✅ Partnering with churches in the Eastern Cape to assist in managing students' workplace activities.
- ✅ Collaborating with institutions like Nehemiah Bible Institute, Johannesburg Bible College, George Whitefield College, South African Theological Seminary, and North-West University.