Training for Sinazongwe Pastors

Before the team began relaxing in the beauty of Livingstone's natural wonders, Pastor Graig led a time of debriefing and then departed for Lusaka, where he had appointments aimed at making progress in strengthening the available training for rural pastors in Sinazongwe. 

"After morning worship at the Matero Presbyterian church in northwest Lusaka, during which I was called on to preach (without warning, of course!), I met with pastors and denominational leaders of the Central Church of Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP). This is a rapidly growing denomination with strong ties to two training programs for rural pastors. PCUSA liaison Nancy Collins was kind enough to arrange my lodging and several very purposeful meetings for my time in Lusaka."

General Secretary of the CCAP, Rev.Maleka Kabandama, along with Moderator-Elect Rev. Chizason Chunda

"Monday our liaison from World Vision Zambia,

Alfonsias Haamanjanji (pictured below in his office),

guided me through meetings with WVZ's Christian Commitment department. Alfonsias has been an invaluable facilator

for our GoTeams the last two years.

World Vision Zambia has not been idle on the issue of training pastors in developing areas. George Musonda has been very helpful in this process. George was with us in 2002 during our first visit to Sinazongwe, when we initially heard the cry for help

from Sinazongwe pastors."

"I also spent time at the local Reformed/Presbyterian seminary, Justo Mwale Theological University College, named for the first native Zambian ordained in the Reformed tradition.

I learned about their outreach program to train rural pastors, toured the campus with rector (president) Edwin Zulu,

and met with professors and students."

back of a truck, helping at the chapel, in construction

"The upshot of my extra time in Lusaka is that we seem very well prepared to solidify high-quality training for our beloved, hard-pressed church leaders in Sinazongwe (both pastors and lay leaders). I was very encouraged by my time with local Presbyterians and World Vision staff. I think that our longstanding support of rural pastors, evidenced by our distribution of Bibles, bicycles and teaching resources for pastors, and ongoing encouragement... this is about to bear fruit in a comprehensive way. A pilot program is already functioning in Sinazongwe, but it will get much stronger. Thanks be to God!"