When most people think of doing mission work in a foreign country, teaching chemistry at a major university may not be the first idea that comes to mind.
Jeff BrothertonBut that is exactly what Jeff Brotherton, North Greenville University physical science chair, did at the University of Zambia for several years. Before coming to North Greenville in 2006, Brotherton and his family lived in Zambia where he taught in the chemistry department. Teaching at the university was the perfect way to be able to reach the students and share the gospel with them.
Brotherton and his wife helped to start a student ministry at the university. When he first arrived in Zambia, Brotherton assisted in getting the additional visas needed for the other members of the mission team. A team of 12 started the student ministry on the campus during the Brotherton family’s first stay in Zambia between 1985 and 1990.
He knew from personal experience that reaching out to students with the gospel is crucial.
While he was pursuing his doctorate at Purdue University, Brotherton’s wife was invited to a Bible study by a non-denominational, non-profit group called The Navigators. Brotherton was reluctant to attend the discipleship group at first, but later attended. In January of 1973, he accepted the gospel message.
Ministering in Zambia was first brought to Brotherton’s mind when he met and befriended a Zambian graduate student at Purdue University. This student was in the U.S. studying for his doctorate. Today he is the minister of education for the country of Zambia.
Individuals with degrees have much more access to foreign universities, which is how Brotherton was able to gain a position at the University of Zambia.
Using the platform of chemistry to be able to present the gospel is Brotherton’s way of teaching about “food that endures to eternal life” (John 6:27).
Unlike teaching at universities here in the U.S., where it is prohibited to make any mention of religion or God, the opportunities to minister in a foreign university are numerous.
Brotherton was able to invite his students to an optional lecture discussing Christianity and chemistry.
About 100 students came to the first lecture, and from that Brotherton recruited the first members of his student ministry. These first recruits were veterinary students named Chris Bishonga, Almond Sitima and Moses Bwalya.
Brotherton and members of the original ministry team are planning a return trip to Zambia in the summer of 2010. They will be celebrating the 25th anniversary of the ministry’s conception.
For now, Brotherton and his wife are at North Greenville, where they can stay close to their only daughter and her family. Brotherton visited several other area schools, but the right doors opened here.
Brotherton has faith that this is where God wants him and his family for the time being, but he is also looking forward to returning to Zambia and celebrating what God has begun there.