Our History
TEN was founded by Dr. Ernest J. Larson in 2001…
The vision for TEN-RTF was conceived by Dr. Ernest J. Larson and a board of directors. At the same time, many African church leaders and educators shared the same vision. Ophthalmologist by profession, he made a number of medical mission trips around Africa. He became aware of the need to train pastors and leaders across Africa, and especially in French-speaking Africa. His vision is shared by theological educators in Africa about the need to train grass-roots pastors who are already serving churches but lack the most basic training. He surrounded himself with a team of former missionaries and African leaders to lay the foundations of TEN (Transafrican Education Network) also known by its French name RTF (Réseau Transafricain de Formation). To move the vision forward in Africa, a consultation was held November 2006 in Yaoundé, Cameroon which put in place the structure of the organization as it is today.
Originally TEN was funded through a charitable remainder trust left by Dr. Larson’s son Joe, a software entrepreneur who died in a plane crash.
Dr. Abel Ndjerareou became TEN Director in 2007 to launch the ministry…
In 2006 the Lord connected Dr. Larson with Dr. Abel Ndjerareou, a Chadian theologian who earned a PhD from Dallas Theological Seminary. At the time, Dr. Abel was President of Bangui Evangelical Seminary of Theology in the Central African Republic. He had a heart for training pastors who had neither time nor money to attend school for a year. Dr. Abel became TEN’s first director in 2007. His extensive network of French-speaking pastors provided country leaders and authors for the first training manuals.
In 2018 Pastor Paul Rakoto became TEN director to move the vision forward…
TEN’s ministry grew with a simple structure for training pastors. By 2017 the need for consistent training and uniform reporting became apparent. The TEN Board realized it needed to transition from a visionary leader to a strong administrative leader. Dr. Abel suggested Pastor Paul Rakoto, then head of the Baptist denomination in Madagascar, and Paul became the Director of TEN in 2018.
