We have been providing discipleship material for decades, with the intention of seeing the Great Commission fulfilled.
Early efforts: TEE
In 1973 the first advanced program of theological education by extension (TEE) began offering courses in French and Arabic in North Africa. A first generation of church leaders was prepared for ministry. However, by the mid-1980’s the program had fallen into disuse.
Summer Bible Schools
Then in 1987 the Summer Bible School program was launched first in southern Spain, then in France and North Africa. It provided two 1-week modules of intensive Bible study courses each summer through the 1990’s.
Level 1
Meanwhile, the need for a basic discipleship program for new believers became apparent, and a survey was conducted. This resulted in the release of a new inductive Bible study program of 10 courses in 1995. It was called ‘Progressing Together Level 1’. The courses were originally made available in English, French, and Arabic, then in Kabyle-dialect Berber and Spanish. An eleventh course was added to address forgiveness and reconciliation in 2008. The series of 11 courses was thoroughly revised, reordered and divided into 2 parts, and enhanced with practical application exercises and videos from 2019-2025. A new 12th doctrinal and apologetic course is in preparation to be released soon in 2026. These courses are being translated into an expanding number of languages.
Level 2 Certificate
To meet the increasing demand for advanced discipleship and leadership training, a year-round study program was deemed necessary. In the year 2000 objectives were carefully defined and divided into a program originally of 30 courses. The requirements were eventually reduced and consolidated to 10 core courses + one practical ministry course elective. This indeed is the current Progressing Together Level 2 program. The courses were strengthened with readings, exercises requiring analysis and practical application activities to offer a Certificate of Preparation for Christian Service. Some theological schools accept Progressing Together course work as transfer credit towards the students’ first year of studies. We continue to be a full member of the Middle East and North African Association for Theological Education (MENATE). Currently all 10 core courses of the Level 2 are completed. As of 2026 work continues to revise the existing courses and expand the variety of practical ministry courses available.
Level 1 Orality
Multiple requests came to us from North Africa for a comprehensive basic discipleship program for non-literate believers and for those who, being from an oral culture, prefer to learn orally. In 2008, a group of orality practitioners gathered to adapt the objectives and the content of the Progressing Together Level 1 program for oral learners. The first facilitator’s training seminar using the oral method was held in 2015. The orality discipleship manual continued to be tested among oral communicators over the following years. Orality facilitators have been trained in North Africa, in Sub-Saharan Africa, in the Middle East and in Europe and are leading an increasing number of oral discipleship groups. Some of these facilitators have been certified as trainers and continue to equip others with oral teaching skills in their region. The orality discipleship manual has been translated in several local languages.