USA Training Program

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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.

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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?

For Who?

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!

    Courses for C-CAT

    English as a Learned Language-Grammar and Writing

    English as a Learned Language- Reading and Comprehension

    Cross-Cultural Adjustment Workshop

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.

    Additional Courses for Certificate in Pastoral Ministry

    Pastoral Ministry II

    Church Organization & Administration

    Practical Theology

    North American Church History

    The Early Church

  • 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 these courses.

    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 this course.

    Pastor Care and Marriage

Basic Certificate Programs

  • 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

    Courses for basic certificate in Christian education:

    Introduction to Christian Doctrine

    Teaching the Christian Faith: Part I & II

    The Law, Grace and Service

  • 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

    Courses for basic certificate in biblical interpretation:

    Interpreting the Bible

    Introduction to the Confessions

    Systematic Theology I

  • 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

    Courses for basic certificate in preaching:

    Introduction to Preaching

    Introduction to the Confessions

    Systematic Theology I

  • 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

    Courses for basic certificate in Pastoral Care:

    Caring for God's People

    Spiritual Warfare-Freedom in Christ

    Pastoral Ministry I

  • 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

    Additional Courses for basic certificate in Evangelism & Missions in North America:

    The Gospel in a Multi-Faith Culture

    Church and Society

    Missions Essentials

  • 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

    Courses for Basic Certificate in Women's Leadership:

    Leading a Women's Group

    Women in Church & Ministry

    Prayer as Ministry

Enroll Today!

By clicking the link to the right, you will be redirected to the application page for the training program. Or download the pdf, fill it out, and mail it into the office

LEMA office:

PO Box 420

Otsego, MI 49078

Attn: Immigrant Training Program

or e-mail your document to:

lema@lemainstititute.org

for questions call the office at:

269-225-1036

Apply Today!

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