This year’s Bible Conference fundraiser was dedicated to supporting the incredible work being done by Jonathan’s House in the Central African Republic (CAR). Representing the ministry was Donna Bixby, who serves as the organization’s international director.
Bixby was born in the CAR to missionary parents and graduated from the BJU School of Education and Human Services in 1996 with a degree in Elementary Education and in 2001 with a graduate degree in Secondary Education. After graduation, she spent over 20 years teaching in both Christian and public schools before following God’s call back to the CAR. Although she grew up in a missionary home, she never imagined she would one day return as a missionary herself. But God’s plans were greater, and today, her ministry is transforming the lives of hundreds of children. Jonathan’s House is a multifaceted ministry, serving children and families by meeting food, medical, and educational needs with the ultimate goal of reaching hearts with the Gospel of Christ. The orphanage currently serves 54 children, many of whom have come from unimaginable circumstances. These precious little ones now find love, care, and the hope of Christ.
However, the ministry doesn’t stop at the orphanage. A K3-6th grade school serving 563 students is also part of the ministry. Roughly half of the school roster is made up of the orphaned children, but the school is open to all children in the community. In recent years, the school has begun a free-lunch program. Upon its introduction, school enrollment doubled—a reminder that, for many of these children, a meal at school may be their only reliable source of food.
While many families in the area speak Sango at home, the school is taught in French, making many students multilingual learners. Though an additional challenge, this approach equips students for interactions with higher educational institutions and government agencies that they may have to face in the future. The school has received high praise from the government and a neighboring town because of the high standardized achievement test scores that the students achieve.
While she does not teach students directly in the school, that certainly does not mean that Bixby is uninvolved in teaching. She serves by providing professional development for the teachers. Recently, her focus has been on encouraging teachers to go beyond rote memory with their students to develop critical thinking skills. In addition, she is deeply convinced that reading is essential to learning and is working to instill a love for books in the students and staff.
However, the most important classroom that Bixby has may be on the swing on her front porch. In her Bible Conference breakout session, she showed pictures of dozens of children huddled around her to hear stories from God’s Word. But it is not just for children. Here, she also counsels adults and systematically works through books of the Bible, pointing out that all Scripture is ultimately meant to point to Jesus. From a simple porch swing, she works to fulfill her part of the Great Commission of making disciples in this corner of the world.
Through the myriad of fundraisers and offerings at Bible Conference this year, BJU is helping her fulfill that mission. Students, with the support of alumni and other generous donors, were able to raise over $122,000 to help begin the construction of a new building that will house more children who need a safe place to call home. If you are interested in hearing more about what God is doing, take a few minutes to listen to Donna Bixby’s testimony at Bible Conference this year.
