Quéssua School of Theology

The Quéssua School of Theology trains United Methodists pastors for the East Angola Conference.  Pastors receive well-rounded instruction in the Wesleyan tradition preparing an educated clergy.

Summary

· Center of pastoral training for Methodist pastors for decades prior to Angolan independence

· Pastoral training was suspended during independence and suffered during civil war.

· Bishop Quipungo cast the vision and others are joining to rebuild the School of Theology

· In March 2007, 85 students began theological studies after years of suspension of instruction at Quéssua

QST Partners

Each student pays one-half of the monthly $300 cost.  Contribute $150 each month to become a QST Partner and provide theological education.

Methodist mission work started in Angola with the self-supporting projects of Rev. William Taylor, who was elected missionary bishop of Africa in 1884.  The William Taylor Bible School was established at Quéssua to educate Angolan Methodist pastors.

During the Angolan independence movement, the Portuguese government deported the missionaries serving Quéssua and suspended Protestant church activities, closing Methodist churches and suspending the work at Quéssua.  Civil war action after independence in Malanje Province led to the destruction of Quéssua Mission.

The current residing bishop of the East Angola Conference, Bishop José Quipungo, has a vision to restore Quéssua as a spiritual and educational center for the entire country of Angola.  Support from former missionaries, partnership conferences in the United States, and other Angolan United Methodist alumni of Quéssua have made the vision a reality.  In March 2007, after decades of interruption, eighty-five pastoral students began theology classes in the Colégio do Quéssua building.

The School of Theology building was destroyed during the civil war but completion of reconstruction is anticipated in 2008.

Bishop José Quipungo, Bishop of the East Angola Conference

Quéssua Mission, East Angola Conference