The purchase of land in Africa was a consistent staple in shaping the direction of small civilizations dating back generations. This often revolved around local farming and crop production with little to know variance. In 1963, the acquisition of 198 acres of land in the Mazini district of Swaziland mirrored this process but with one small distinction—its purpose was to spread the Gospel.
Formerly known as the Mazini Bible School, African Christian College opens its gates to hundreds of driven students of many neighboring countries every year. This summer, three Oklahoma Christian University students—Bethany Paris, Ruger Stocking and Logan Henley— ventured to South Africa to take a summer course.
Oklahoma Christian’s Dean of the College of Bible Charles Rix and professor of library science Lee Anne Paris accompanied them on the trip to teach Old Testament. This summer marked Rix’s tenth year at African Christian College.
In a recent interview with the Talon, Bethany Paris shared her thoughts about her experience at African Christian College.
Q: For those who haven’t heard of African Christian College, what is it and what is their mission?
“African Christian College is a college in Eswatini, formerly known as Swaziland, that offers a Bible degree with a couple of different specializations. Its students come from many different African countries, and they live on campus. To make it easier for the students financially, the school has a farm and a macadamia nut orchard where students work to help pay their tuition. Its mission is to train Christian leaders who can then go back to their home countries and help spread the Gospel there.”
Q: African Christian College provides an outlet for varying ethnic groups to experience other cultural norms. What does the diversity in worship provide in understanding Biblical text?
“Having students from many different countries was one of my favorite things about African Christian College. At chapel and worship, we would sing songs in many different languages, so that each student got the chance to worship in their native language. But more than that, it was just really interesting to hear so many different perspectives on topics that I never would have considered. Many of the students talked about their cultures’ beliefs about spirits and demons, which meant they saw certain passages very differently. It made it easier for me to speak up because I didn’t feel singled out for coming from a different place. We all came from different places and had different cultural backgrounds.”
Q: How does African Christian College vary or mirror the work and curriculum practiced at Oklahoma Christian?
“Some of the curriculum at African Christian College matched up with classes we take at Oklahoma Christian. For instance, the class I and the other Oklahoma Christian students on the trip took with Dr. Rix was Introduction to the Old Testament, which counts towards our Bible requirements. African Christian College requires all students take it to graduate. Since all students at African Christian College are essentially Bible majors, they take a lot fewer non-Bible classes than I do as a public communications major.”
Q: Dr. Rix has worked alongside African Christian College for over a decade. What do his actions show and teach about missionary work?
“Watching Dr. Rix work with African Christian College students was really cool because he treats them with such dignity. He’s experienced enough cultural differences over the years that he’s very good at finding ways to stretch the understanding of both the American and African students in the class. I really appreciated that he didn’t go into class thinking that he knew all the answers; instead, he listened to our ideas and thoughts and helped us to work through them on our own.”
Q: What are some major cultural similarities or differences in Eswatini you considered noteworthy?
“One thing that really stuck out to me was the pace of life. While our days definitely weren’t empty, I never felt like we were in a big rush to go anywhere or do anything. We took life as it came. Having very limited internet, everyone was much more focused on the people around them and living in the moment, making it much easier to build relationships. The most problematic part of the culture for me was that the coffee was more milk and sugar than actual coffee. One of my friends from Malawi would always make mine, and while it was super sweet of her, it tasted absolutely disgusting. Gulping that stuff down was one of the only rough parts of the trip.”
Q: How did your time at African Christian College strengthen or grow your faith?
“I really loved getting to see the absolute unity. Even though we all came from different places and were far from home, we all still worshiped together as a body of believers. It really served as a reminder for me that we have a church family that crosses all boundaries and that our God is bigger than any differences we may have.”
Q: How did you get connected with African Christian College, and what could you tell other students who are looking for a similar opportunity?
“I got connected with African Christian College by talking with Dr. Rix. I would definitely encourage any other interested students to contact him and see what his plans are for this coming summer. It’s an amazing opportunity to learn about God while learning about many other cultures at the same time.”
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