Monty Sholund was the founder of the Village Schools of the Bible. Monty taught the Scriptures for more than 50 years, in several lands, in several languages, but always with a singular passion- to make effective disciplers! Monty went to be with the Lord on May 13, 2007, just a few weeks after Village Schools celebrated its 25th Anniversary.

Monty is pictured here with his wife, Doris. His greatest desire echoed Paul's ambition in Colossians 1:28, to "teach every man in all wisdom to present everyone mature in Christ." He founded the Village Schools of the Bible in 1982. The Village Schools flourished under Monty's teaching. Hundreds of students over the years have become Village School graduates.

A Little Bit of History...

Monty Sholund, was born in Gothenburg, Nebraska, and his wife Doris was born in Oxford, England. They met and were married while they were missionaries in what was then the Belgian Congo. They had one daughter, Becky. They served the Lord as Free Church missionaries in the Ubangi for ten years. In 1958 they moved to Johannesburg, South Africa, where Monty pursued graduate studies at Witwatersrand University. He then taught Biblical Studies in a University for the next ten years. During this time they worshiped at the Rosebank Union Church, and in 1970 they joined the staff, Monty in Christian Education and Music and Doris as founding Director of Rosehaven, the church's new Home for Senior Citizens.

In October, 1972, a young recently converted couple shared with Monty their concern about their Biblical illiteracy. Soon others who had attended church for years admitted their own ignorance, but also acknowledged a longing for a systematic study.

After much prayer and fellowship with other like-minded people, Monty was used of God to launch a Lay-training Center in 1973. It eventually became the Rosebank Bible College with a School for World Mission associated. But at the heart of the School remained the passion to provide disciplined, systematic Bible study available for every eager individual across Southern Africa. It continues to this day with branches in 15 cities.

In 1982 the Sholunds returned to settle permanently in the United States, responding to a call to become the Director of Christian Education at the Village Evangelical Free Church, in Maple Plain, Minnesota. Several people asked Monty to help them study the Bible systematically, and the Village School of the Bible began in September. Invitations came from other locations and little by little the Village Schools spread to numerous places around the United States and Canada. Hundreds of graduates are active leaders in their local churches.

In January, 2000, Monty retired from active leadership of the Village Schools, but he continued to teach and disciple through the Village Schools ministry until his death in 2007.

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