Abstract A Strategy to Train Local Church Elders for Effective Assimilation and Nurture of New Converts Chifamba Enock Doctor of Ministry Seventh day Adventist Theological Seminary Andrews University Boubakar Sanou Advisor Bruce L Bauer Advisor Nancy Vyhmeister Advisor Problem In most multi church districts the pastoral burden rests with the local church elders However these elders receive little or no training concerning the important pastoral duty of assimil