Earlier this year, we received an invitation from the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) to attend their Zambia Synod General Administrative Conference in Lundazi, Zambia which is in Eastern Province, and to visit their Chasefu Theological College located about thirty-five miles outside Lundazi deep into the bush near the border of Malawi. Our interest was piqued by the historical roots of the CCAP. According to their own website (http://www.ccapzambia.org/history.html):
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Synod of Zambia traces its origins back to the Livingstonia Mission of the Free Church of Scotland. The Livingstonia Mission was formed in 1874 in memory of Dr. David Livingstone and, between 1881 and 1912, the Livingstonia Mission carried out extensive evangelistic work in Malawi and Zambia. The evangelism done by the Livingstonia Presbytery of the Free Church of Scotland, Blantyre Presbytery of the Established Church of Scotland, and the Nkhoma Presbytery of the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa resulted in the formation of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) in 1924. The offices of the CCAP General Assembly are located in Lilongwe, Malawi and, currently, the CCAP has five synods: Livingstonia (northern Malawi), Blantyre (southern Malawi), Nkhoma (central Malawi), Harare (Zimbabwe), and the CCAP Synod of Zambia in Lusaka. When the CCAP Synod of Zambia was constituted in 1984, the church had only four ordained ministers, 16 congregations, and only 2 presbyteries (Chasefu and Midlands/Copperbelt) with fewer than 10,000 congregation members. As of 2016, the Synod…83 congregations, 15 presbyteries, and 78 ordained ministers with over 75,000 congregation members [now 100,000]. In 2007, the church also opened a theological college in Chasefu in eastern Zambia in order to provide CCAP congregations with the pastoral support they need…The Synod of Zambia is a member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches and locally a member of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ). The church subscribes to the Nicene Creed, Apostles Creed [and the] Westminster Confession.
“In memory of Dr. David Livingstone” definitely caught our attention! Originally, their expressed interest was in Abby helping them teach pastoral care and chaplaincy at the Theological College, and Abby had enjoyed two Zoom meetings in May discussing this with the CCAP Zambia Synod General Secretary, the Rev. Sevatt Kabaghe, the Moderator, the Rev. Chizason Chunda, and the Moderator Elect, the Rev. Friday Kapakasa. These cordial conversations had led, in turn, to an invitation offered to Percy Muleba and us to their Administrative Conference. So, on Sunday, August 20th, we began the long trip to Lundazi.
We drove from Livingstone to Lusaka, about a seven hour drive, on Sunday, stayed overnight at the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) retreat center, then flew from Lusaka to Mfuwe Monday morning, which was about a one hour flight in a small plane. From there, the Rev. Lloyd Mithi, the Deputy General Secretary, picked us up and drove us to Lundazi, typically a 4.5 hour trip over a very bad road. Regrettably, his vehicle was having some issues, so the trip stretched to 7 hours and we arrived in Lundazi, happy but exhausted at 7pm. Fortunately, the one and only lodge in Lundazi turned out to be pretty nice and we all had a good night’s rest!
The next morning, Tuesday, the Rev. Kabaghe picked us up and drove us 35 miles over a pretty good dirt road to the Theological College in Chasefu, picking up the College’s Vice-Principal, the Rev. Lovemore Nyirenda, along the way. The countryside was beautiful, the vehicle a wonderful Toyota Land Cruiser, and the Rev. Kabaghe drove in a lively manner, shall we say, so we arrived in what seemed no time at all at the College where we were warmly greeted by its Principal, the Rev. Bannet Muwowo. Are you loving these names or what?
Cordial greetings and a warm welcome were followed by a formal meeting in which we began by each introducing ourselves and our call to ministry. In addition, Doug brought greetings from the Evangelical Presbyterian Church (EPC ) and offered the possibility of opening a relationship between our two denominations, something he had been strongly encouraged to do by our pastor and former Moderator of the EPC, the Rev. Dr. Mike Moses.
The CCAP leadership then proceeded to describe their need for help in training their theological students, the spouses of pastors, and their many cell group leaders. They then made a formal request for our help, asking each of us to join them in training present and future leaders. Significantly, they offered Abby the opportunity for ordination in the CCAP, beginning with formal licensing to preach at a ceremony to be held on Thursday during the Administrative Conference, and culminating with full ordination next August at their biannual Zambia Synod Assembly. They also expressed serious interest in opening a relationship with the EPC. We were stunned and provoked by all their invitations, and each of us agreed to help train their leaders. Abby joyfully accepted their offer of licensing and, ultimately, ordination!
Following our meeting, we were given a tour of the College grounds which include a completed main building with classrooms, offices and a small library, and a barn for the farming already being done on the property. In addition, guest quarters for visiting instructors and a dormitory which will house 78 students are under construction due to the generosity of the Presbyterian Women of the Presbyterian Church (USA). Further funds are obviously needed, but a Jesus loving PCUSA representative, the Rev. Paula Cooper, whom we met during our stay is working hard to make that happen. Interestingly, she was very encouraging about our involvement. By the way, electricity has not yet come to the College so solar panels and batteries are being used at the moment to provide very limited power. Remarkably, the area Chief has generously gifted the CCAP the use of a huge tract of land about a mile across to be used as they see fit.
On Wednesday, we attended the Administrative Conference, a long day begun by worship with the Lord’s Supper and punctuated by their vote on Abby’s licensing with a view toward ordination. The vote was enthusiastically unanimous and we returned to our lodge anticipating the following day’s licensing ceremony. That afternoon, Abby preached before the gathered pastors and elders, the first step in the licensing process. Her sermon was well received! Later that evening, the Revs. Kabaghe and Chunda met with us to explain the following day’s licensing ceremony, and to deliver Abby the shirt and collar which would be used. It was humbling and exciting.
On Thursday, Doug was asked to preach to begin the day, a wonderful privilege for him with what was to follow. As the morning wore on, we anxiously awaited the ceremony as various administrative details were being handled. We were concerned about making our 6pm flight in Mfuwe, but were strongly reassured that 4.5 hours would be more than enough time and they would get us to Mfuwe by 4pm.
Abby’s licensing ceremony was awesome. It included constitutional questions regarding her faith and commitment to the Gospel, and her willingness to be acccountable to the CCAP. Following this, there was a formal ceremony in which the Moderator placed the white tab into Abby’s collar. Then prayer followed, joyfully accompanied by music, and then handshakes and hugs from the leaders. The Moderator then announced Abby’s licensed position in the CCAP and gifted her with a copy of the CCAP constitution and a new Bible. Because she would not be pastoring a church, Abby was introduced as the Rev. Abigail Vinez, the Director of the newly constituted School of Excellence at the Chasefu Theological College. What the School of Excellence will be exactly remains to be seen, but we are excited about its development in satellite locations throughout Zambia and on site at the College. Percy and we will work together with the CCAP to make this happen over the coming years.
True to their word, we were then whisked away to Mfuwe which we reached in 4.5 hours. We hopped on the small plane for Lusaka and landed there about 7:30pm. We arrived at our lodge an hour later, exhilarated and exhausted, and anxious for a good sleep because we would be training the leadership of the Eternal Glory Church over the weekend. It is led by Dr. Silavwe, Percy’s favorite professor from his Justo Mwale Seminary days, and the current Vice Chancellor of the United Church of Zambia’s Theological Seminary. But, that’s a story for another blog!
Thanks, as always, for your amazing support. Please continue to pray for us as our trip draws to a close. We are currently in Mumbwa for Phase 2 training with fifteen local pastors. We finish on Wednesday the 6th and will make our way back to Livingstone on the 7th. And remember, where we go you go!
