Training Opportunities

for Immigrants in the USA

Why Lema?

Immigrants face challenges adjusting to life in the USA due to language barriers and lack of understanding of American culture. The challenge becomes more intensified for pastors and ministry leaders from Africa due to absence of formal ministry training while in their countries of origin. It is estimated that more than 70% of pastors in Africa do not have formal ministry training. It is from this 70% that many of the immigrant churches receive their pastors.

Furthermore, with the US culture being new to these immigrants, they struggle with how to minister effectively; how to share the gospel outside their ethnic communities, and how to make their worship welcoming to a diversity of people. Because of these, the immigrant churches are unable to meet their outreach and missionary potential in the US.

Another consequence is that the children of the immigrant churches experience severe cultural shock in college or at work when outside their parent’s homes, often resulting in loss of faith and disconnection from the worshiping community.

The training program at LEMA is established to address these challenges through leadership education. Through these courses immigrants and leaders will learn the essential skills and knowledge to participate and lead effectively within the American context.

for who?

• Immigrant who wants to learn how to speak, read and write in English.
  

• Immigrant who wants to adjust well to life in America by understanding American culture
  

• Immigrant (pastor or ministry leader) who wants to learn ministry in the American context.
  

is that you?

foundational Courses

Basic certificate programs

advanced certificate programs

complete application form, with current photograph attached.

Complete the Engligh Language courses or test out with an 80% or higher.

Any individual may be admitted into any individual course throughout the year. Please contact our office for a regular academic calendar.

foundational courses

The goal of the English language training is to teach the immigrants how to speak, read and write in English. The underlisted English language courses are offered under this training.

• English as a Learned Language: Grammar and Writing
  
• English as a Learned Language: Reading and Comprehension
  

There are no admission requirements for this training. It is available for every immigrant who desires to learn how to speak and write in English.

The training is designed to be completed in 6 months.

Cross-Cultural Adjustment training is a training program provided for immigrants to the US, especially those from Africa to help them adjust to life in North America. The Cross-cultural Adjustment workshop covers essential issues in American culture including how to deal with new and different situations, Cultural differences and similarities and the attitudes essential for healthy adjustment. At the end of the C-CAT, the student will be able to understand the basic elements of North American culture and how they differ or are similar to African culture.

There are no admission requirements for the C-CAT. All are welcome!

This three-month course introduces the student to the meaning of leadership, basic principles of leadership, the Characteristics of Christian leadership and the importance of examining personal motivations to leadership. At the end of the course, the student will be able to identify essential leadership skills, have a general knowledge of the Bible and a historical knowledge of the work of the Holy Spirit from the Early Church to the present.

Prerequisite: None

Courses for basic certificate in christian leadership:

Bible Survey

Servant Leadership Part I & II

The Holy Spirit in Church History

This three-month course introduces the student to the meaning of leadership, basic principles of leadership, the Characteristics of Christian leadership and the importance of examining personal motivations to leadership. At the end of the course, the student will be able to identify essential leadership skills, have a general knowledge of the Bible and a historical knowledge of the work of the Holy Spirit from the Early Church to the present.

Prerequisite: Basic Certificate in Christian Leadership

This three-month program introduces the student to the problems and methods of Biblical interpretation, including such factors as presuppositions, historical context, grammar, figurative language, and genre. At the completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following: Discuss the importance of responsible biblical interpretation; Compare and evaluate various English translations of the Bible; Explain and illustrate the importance of history and culture for understanding Biblical text; Discuss the authority and inspiration of Scripture and show how one’s attitude toward this subject influences interpretation; Identify important figures of speech used in the Bible: simile, metaphor, personification, euphemism, hyperbole, irony, etc;. Discuss the role of the Holy Spirit in biblical interpretation; identify the different genres in the Bible; Explain the basic steps of interpretation.

Prerequisite: Basic Certificate in Christian Leadership

This three-month program teaches a biblical understanding of the ministry of preaching. It teaches Students the steps in constructing a biblical sermon and gives them opportunities in class to practice Expository preaching. At the end of the course, students should be able to articulate their own theology of preaching; Explain the basic elements of sermon preparation and delivery; Describe the impact of cultural intelligence and its implications for preaching that builds bridges across the lines of ethnicity, gender, social location etc; Interpret a biblical text and prepare sermons that are coherent and relevant, demonstrate the understanding that preaching the world of God is the word of God; develop greater proficiency in public speaking, sermon evaluation and Scripture reading.

Prerequisite: Basic Certificate in Biblical Interpretation

This three month program is designed to help students become more informed, effective, and sensitive leaders when ministering to persons in need within the American context. Covers selected topics in the pastoral care field. Its focus is on the work of the Christian minister to care for God’s people. At the completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following: Discuss the biblical meaning of pastoral care with contemporary pastoral procedures; Explain the importance of pastoral care and the need for exercising pastoral authority in caring situations; Explain the need for caring for oneself, the family, and the congregation; Present ideas on how to function as a pastor in crisis situations and cross-cultural situations; Explain various approaches for offering pastoral care and comfort for the dying and for persons experiencing grief.

Prerequisite: Basic Certificate in Christian Leadership

This three month program is designed to help students become more informed, effective, and sensitive leaders when ministering to persons in need within the American context. Covers selected topics in the pastoral care field. Its focus is on the work of the Christian minister to care for God’s people. At the completion of this course, the student will be able to do the following: Discuss the biblical meaning of pastoral care with contemporary pastoral procedures; Explain the importance of pastoral care and the need for exercising pastoral authority in caring situations; Explain the need for caring for oneself, the family, and the congregation; Present ideas on how to function as a pastor in crisis situations and cross-cultural situations; Explain various approaches for offering pastoral care and comfort for the dying and for persons experiencing grief.

Prerequisite: Basic Certificate in Christian Leadership

This three-month program acquaints students with issues relating to women in church ministry - the ordained, diaconal, and lay ministries. Students will learn about Women Leaders in the Bible and the role of Women today, especially in prayer and Bible study. At the completion of this course, students will be able to lead a Women’s group; articulate a biblically based theology concerning women in ministry; understand and explain the theological and biblical basis for at least two opposing views on women in ministry leadership; explain the theological and historical impact of women in ministry; demonstrate self-awareness of gender roles and expectations in ministry.

Prerequisite: Basic Certificate in Christian Leadership

advanced certificate programs

The CPM program is designed for pastors already serving an Immigrant community but who have not undergone ministerial training in North America. Those who want to enter ordained ministry of mainline churches in North America would find the CPM program as a steppingstone to that process. The CPM Program consists of 20 courses taught in English during the weekends over a period of three years. Those who undergo both weekday and weekend classes can complete their certificate training in less than three years. While the courses are mainly residency courses, online classes may be used to complement the classes. Anyone can choose to do any of these courses at any time in the program and get a certificate for the course completed.

ALL CPM Students will be assigned to an experienced pastor/ Vocational adviser who will serve as his or her mentor throughout the program.

To qualify for the CPM, the student must have completed the Basic Certificates in Christian Leadership, Christian Education, Biblical Interpretation, Preaching, Pastoral Care, Evangelism and Missions in North America in addition to the courses to the left. Prerequisite- Basic Certificates in Christian Leadership, Christian Education, Biblical Interpretation, Preaching, Pastoral Care, Evangelism and Missions in North America.

The CML program is designed for those who are serving or desire to serve in a leadership position in an immigrant community. The CML Program consists of 14 courses taught in English during the weekends over a Period of 2 years. Those who undergo both weekday and weekend classes can complete their certificate training in less than two years. While the courses are mainly residency courses, online classes may be used to complement the classes. Anyone can choose to do any of these courses at any time in the program and get certificate for the course completed.

To qualify for this certificate, the student must have completed the Basic Certificates in Christian Leadership, Christian Education, Pastoral Care, Evangelism and Missions in North America in addition to the courses on the left.

Additional Courses for Certificate in Ministry leadership

Christian Stewardship

Worship and Culture

Caring for God's Youth

Leading Children's Ministry

The CMWL program is designed for women who are serving or desire to serve in leadership positions in an immigrant community. The CWML Program consists of 13 courses taught in English during the weekends over a period of 2 years. Those who undergo both weekday and weekend classes can complete their certificate training in less than 2 years. While the courses are mainly residency courses, online classes may be used to complement the classes. Anyone can choose to do any of these courses at any time in the program and get a certificate for the course completed.

To qualify for this certificate, the student must have completed the Basic Certificates in Christian Leadership, Christian Education, Pastoral Care, Evangelism and Missions in North America in addition to the courses to the left.

Enroll Today!

by using the google form to the right you will be able to enroll today online. Please click on the "switch account" to be taken to the correct location to fill out the form.

Or save the jpeg below to your computer and print to fill it out. once completed please send to the address or e-mail below.

application forms can be sent to the lema office at:

po box 420

otsego, mi 49078

attn: immigrant training program

or e-mail your document to:

admissions@lemainstititute.org

for questions call the office at:

269-225-1036

Donate

Costs for classes are listed below:

English Language Training (6 credit hours)

Value of course: $600

Pioneer Discount: $200

Total cost: $400

English for Ministry (5 credit hours)

Value of course: $500

Pioneer Discount: $200

Total Cost: $300

Cross-Cultural Adjustment Training (1 credit hour)

Value of Course: $100

Basic Certificate (5 credit hours)

Value of Course: $500

Pioneer Discount: $200

Total Cost: $300

Advanced Certificate (30 credit hours)

Value of Course: $3,000

Pioneer Discount: $1,400

Total Cost: $1,600

The Seed Fund allows for LEMA to get the Immigrant Training Program started by recruiting teachers, gathering supplies and marketing for students. By being a Seed Donor, you are starting this program off with a gift that will go beyond it's years.