Here's an update on Theological Education by Extension this year, taken from our co-workers' recent newsletter:

TRAINING BIBLE SCHOLARS

Theological Education by Extension, or TEE, is the College of Christian Theology Bangladesh’s (CCTB) program with the most enrolled students. TEE classes run all over the country in communities where the students live. This enables the students to study diploma-level courses and still keep their day jobs. This year about 600 students are participating in TEE courses.

The first week of May Jeff headed down to Barisal, a town directly south of Dhaka and a 7 hour trip by bus. He visited with the Barisal area TEE coordinator, joined a congregation for their Wednesday night revival meeting, and met with students from 5 different TEE groups. One TEE group meets at 4pm on Thursdays and is lead by Rev. Rangit Biswas, local pastor and graduate of CCTB.

The students in the group are all fulltime employed or housewives and not able to study residentially or attend seminars at the college. The group includes: A current employee for YWCA-Bangladesh, a retired headmistress of a YWCA school and church women’s committee chairperson, a housewife, a government employee, a school teacher, and a college student in management. The group has completed 5 courses in three years. Rev. Rangit supports practical learning of his students by including all the group members in their church’s preaching schedule.

Jeff asked the group why they are doing TEE courses. Here are some of their answers:

“I find the Bible difficult to read by myself and TEE books guide and bring light.”

“Even after years of Sunday school, there is more to learn”

“Muslim friends ask questions and I want to be able to answer. For example, ‘How is it possible for a person to rise from the dead after three days?’ In order to answer, I first need to understand.”

“In a few years I will retire from my government job. Then I want to be able to serve the church.”

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