Since its opening 30 years ago, over 2,500 people have gone through OM’s well-known Missions Discipleship Training (MDT) at the base outside of Pretoria in South Africa. The goal of MDT is to teach Jesus followers about their faith, both in and out of the classroom. Now, the training building is in desperate need of a new roof.

During these 30 years, MDT students have been arriving to live for five months in the training building that was constructed 50 years ago. The well-used facility is, unsurprisingly, no longer fit for purpose. It needs urgent repairs––including a new roof––to accommodate more students like Alia, Natalia and Sheela in the years ahead. 

A touching memory for MDT student Alia was when she and her team members gave food to township dump dwellers addicted to drugs and alcohol. They also pointed them to a local Christian centre that helps people get off the streets. Another student, Natalia, and her team visited a den where men, women and children took drugs publicly and shamelessly, bringing food and practical help. In Mamelodi township, student Sheela saw God use what she had just learnt during MDT to reach out to others, practically and simply sharing the gospel, and encouraging people to believe God is who He says He is.

“We would like not only singles but couples and families to come to South Africa from across the globe to learn how to live and use their gifts in our diverse, changing world,” said an MDT trainer. “But without essential repairs to the roof, all our equipment and electronics will not be safely housed. Without major repairs to adapt our base, we may not be able to continue to disciple, equip and send well-prepared believers every year to play their part in impacting communities positively for God.”