Gilles and Myriam Bonvallat studied at Geneva Bible Institute (IBG) from 1995-96 as they prepared to go to Nyankunde, DR Congo with AIM. Now the Institute is part of the French office’s mobilising strategy.
Geneva Bible Institute (IBG) started in 1921 as the “Ecole Biblique de Genève”. It was created by a Scottish man, Hugh Alexander, who founded the “Action Biblique”, a church denomination. In the 90s, the one-year course developed into a wider partnership with denominations working in France and Switzerland, to offer training for up to four years (www.ibg.cc). Although it started as a very mission orientated Bible school, the urgent need for pastors in France began to take priority. IBG’s vision is to equip students with practical skills and experience, alongside theological and mission knowledge.
Future generations
Since 2016, there has been a new focus on cross cultural missions, introduced through a Transcultural Mission Training Programme, to prepare a new generation of French-speaking missionaries. It is a great opportunity for the future pastors at IBG to catch a vision for mission, hearing from passionate and experienced missionaries. We pray that God would use these connections to raise up awareness and increase a vision for mission among church leaders in France and Switzerland.
A shared vision
We were privileged to be part of a small committee who worked to establish this new Transcultural Mission curriculum. It was a dream that grew in our minds as we were still in Rwanda. When we returned to Geneva at the end of 2013, we found out with great joy that God had put the same vision and burden on a few other peoples’ hearts too. Three years later, the first students started their Transcultural Mission training. We have had the joy of teaching a yearly course on Missionary Life, and a course training couples to be mentors.
Visions realised
IBG developed partnerships with several mission organisations such as AIM to help organise on-field internships (six or 18 months). Every year, as a partner, AIM attends a “Missions Forum” at IBG with the first-year students and other mission organisations, to share our vision and goals. A couple of months later, the students are presented with internship opportunities. This requires a lot of teamwork, with missionaries on the field willing to welcome and mentor interns, and IBG providing a short online training for mentors.
We are so encouraged by the AIM missionaries willing to take part in the programme, preparing to receive interns, even though no one might come, as there are always more placements than students! Without their commitment, this programme would be worthless.
From Interns to Missionaries
Since 2016, AIM has supported interns in Chad, the Islands, Mayotte, DR Congo and on a Borderless team in Canada. Some of these interns have become AIM long term missionaries as a result. We are so excited to see Francophone volunteers going to Francophone Africa!
In 2023-2024, AIM is offering eight internships. Our prayer is that these internships will catalyse, equip, and onboard godly long-term workers for Francophone Africa, helping to establish God’s kingdom among every people group in Africa.
