ADVERTORIAL
The Bible Institute of South Africa (BISA) was founded in 1923 as an evangelical and interdenominational training centre in South Africa. From the very beginning it has been their mission to train and equip individuals to know Christ and to make Him known. BISA has a long record of consistently and faithfully training ministers, missionaries, lecturers, teachers and church workers in the Bible and theology. Moreover, many Christians have been better prepared for effective witness in the professional world. Students are drawn from, and go out to minister in, many different countries in Africa and the wider world. Christo April is a BISA employee with a powerful testimony and calling to teach. Born and bred on the Cape Flats, Christo was brought up in a Christian home, but rebelled, particularly in his teen years. He knew that his friends were into gangsterism, using weapons and violence as an outlet, but Christo refused to go that far. At age 15, a terrifying incident changed the course of his life for good. While visiting a friend, Christo was shot, severing his femoral artery and leaving him to haemorrhage. Close to death, Christo had to have his left leg amputated above the knee. He spent two months in hospital, followed by an extensive and frustrating rehab as an amputee. During recovery, his Christian family rallied around him with daily visits and prayer. It was during this time that Christo began to recognise the truth in the Gospel that he had previously rejected on an intellectual basis. He went to church with his parents and the love and warmth he felt there made him eager to return. He started to enjoy reading the Bible, (even the King James Version!) and wanted to share this excitement and understanding with others, so much so that in 2006, Christo was awarded with a BTh followed by a BA (Hons) several years later. Since his conversion, he’s been involved in church ministry and in 2016, Christo was ordained. He met Neil Henry, the Christian Leadership Programme (CLP) Director at the Bible Institute, who, recognising gold, quickly involved Christo in teaching in the CLP programme. CLP is a three-year, part-time BISA programme, offering college level biblical leadership studies. Christo was invited to BISA several times as a popular guest chapel speaker until mid-2017 when he officially started working at the college. Christo loves reading, particularly history, philosophy and theology. He is a valued asset to BISA, a place where he can freely share his love for God and the Gospel. For more info about the courses on offer at BISA visit www.bisa.org.za. THE CHRISTIAN LIFESTYLE
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