WHO WE ARE
Christian Audio-Visual Action (CAVA) was established when missionaries saw a need to address the spiritual needs of farm workers. Its mission was originally to produce, publish & distribute affordable Christian literature, audiocassettes and picture books in the various languages of Zimbabwe. However, political developments & a severe economic downturn in Zimbabwe forced CAVA to downscale its printing and publishing activities and to concentrate
instead, on Discipleship & Church Leadership Training through the Nehemiah Bible Institute (NBI). NBI Zimbabwe was established in 1998 with Rev IGM Banda of CCAP as the Registrar. Initially the training was offered to Deacons,Elders, Evangelists & Pastors. With sponsorship and donations from well-wishers, the training has been extended to inmates in various prisons in Zimbabwe.
Currently, the large number of students is from the Prison Ministry.
In spite of – or because of – the economic turmoil, the church in Zimbabwe continues to grow. Pentecostal & white garment churches in particular are attracting young followers in greater numbers. New flocks are being led to affiliate with national faith associations as their pastors seek legitimacy for their calling and land to build church infrastructures. Increasingly the need is seen for equipping these pastors – uniformed & security forces, inmates, administrators and lay workers with vital skills in Church Leadership and Ministry, skills that are informed by biblical principles and are African in context. Hence, the Executive Committee and the Mission Secretary (invited) that sat on the 18th of May 2018, agreed on adopting a new vision of taking NBI as the core business under the umbrella of CAVA. Today CAVA/NBI partners with churches, Christian organizations and individuals to enable believers to train and evangelize in Southern Africa. Although CAVA has a direct relationship with the Reformed family of churches of Zimbabwe and the Western Cape in South Africa, it has a strong ecumenical thrust and seeks to serve the church of Jesus Christ at large.
NEHEMIAH BIBLE INSTITUTE (NBI) HISTORY
Nehemiah Bible Institute (NBI) was founded in 1988 in South Africa. It has built partnerships over the years to provide theological training in 10 languages in 12 countries in Southern Africa.
Since then nearly 10, 000 African church leaders have been equipped for the ministry. NBI receives between 600 and 1000 new enrolments annually.
In Zimbabwe, NBI offers a full/part time class/distance education Diploma in Church Leadership and Ministry development. The course is non-denominational. The six course modules offer Bible knowledge in depth, from Genesis to Revelation.
The course is more affordable than comparable Bible colleges and is accessible, requiring no special educational qualifications for enrolment. Students work at their own pace, mostly aiming to complete the course within one year. Topics covered are HERE
Students value the course for its simple, clear language, its African context and its practical approach, which offers a grounding in problem-solving situations that they can expect to encounter in their congregations and communities.
In a recent survey, students said they found the NBI programme “life-changing”, “transformational” and “uplifting”. NBI. NBI Zimbabwe, through its partner organisation, Christian Audio-Visual Action (CAVA), is an affiliate member of the
Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe.
CAVA/NBI’s commitment is summed up in the philosophy: “At CAVA/NBI we do the work and we let God do the worrying.”