Zambia Update: Opposition, Timing, and Vision
Date Published
Dear Friends and Supporters,
I know we have just gone through elections and you would love an update on that, but that will be in the next KYP.
We were invited to Zambia by Pastor Allan Kasungami, Director of the EFZ, the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, a fellowship of six million Christians, to speak and train on leadership. We first met Pastor Allan in 2022 when he came to the states. Our team consisted of Chaplain Matt Barnes, Chaplain Pastor Tim Lindsey, Chaplain Pastor Brian Stewart, Board member Eric Luckhaupt, Chaplain Marsha Williamson, and myself.
Opposition
The excitement of the adventure was dimmed almost before it began. Checking in at 4:45 am at the Indy airport, flights to Chicago were confirmed, but flights on to Zambia via Addis Ababa, Ethiopia “did not exist,” according to the counter assistant. Two anxious hours later, miraculously, we all boarded our flight, tickets restored, with seconds to spare. From there on, flights went according to plan. Thank the Lord.
Twenty-four hours later and travel weary, we were met in the capital of Lusaka by Pastor Allan Kasungami, Pastor Steve, and Pastor Hendricks (our driver) all in suits! But were we so glad to meet them!
Zambia
Zambia is a beautiful country south of the equator, rich in copper and other minerals, the seasons are the reverse of ours, and daytime temps reached 100°. Some major roads are well paved, but local roads and streets are often nothing more than red sand. And the traffic controls are a little looser than ours here in the US, to say the least. In Livingstone, the church floor was made of concrete and had a drainage channel down the center aisle in readiness for the rainy season. Daily we watched students walking to school in their smart school uniforms.
The First Conference, Lusaka
The conference started bright and early the first morning at Northmead Church in Lusaka. Bishop Professor Joshua H K Banda is the pastor there. And that is how he is always introduced or referred to, “Bishop Professor Joshua H K Banda.” The Lord blessed us and the event, and our wonderful brothers and sisters caught the vision for praying for and ministering to their public servants. They were thrilled with the QR code Micah Barnes had developed for them to pray for their own elected leaders.
Time
But we had to make some cultural adjustments regarding time. Just as we have to in South America. There is a different relationship to time for those south of the equator. We asked the Bishop what time the conference would start. He said, 8:30am. So we said, “What time do you want us to arrive?” He said, “9 o’clock.” I learned to arrive on time, and from then on, not look at my watch or the schedule, but go with the flow. We responded to the cultural challenge with grace. Thankfully, I was able to complete both of my teaching stints, “Brushstrokes of Leadership” from the life of David, and “Prayer – the Door-Opener.” Marsha was able to complete her two workshops, too. But, regardless, everyone appeared excited and to catch the vision for pastoral prayer and care of elected leaders.
Casting and Catching the Vision
Zambians, like Americans, are given to criticizing political leaders, and only praying politically for them at election time. As each one of our team spoke, we reinforced, each from a different perspective, the same message, that God loves politicians, and sent His Son to die for them. That there is a biblical approach, and it is to see the political arena as a mission field. To see elected leaders as critically in need of prayer and pastoral care. It was exciting to see people’s eyes light up as they caught the vision and learned the practical things they could do to minister to their leaders. It was a transformative time.
The Second Conference, Livingstone
Sunday afternoon, after a morning in three vibrant churches, we packed up and flew to Livingstone, the former capital of Zambia, named for the missionary and explorer, David Livingstone. Pastor Michael Zulu, our driver and tour guide, picked us up. The conference was held at Bread of Life Church in Livingstone, led by Bishop Chatupa. We met Pastor Webster and Pastor Fred, the worship leader there.
The two days of the conference in Livingstone were special. But as the churches do not have “air con” we learned to stay hot. Pastor Fred’s testimony to catching the vision, of going from hating politicians to being excited about starting ministry to them, is extraordinary. By day two he had already made an appointment to meet the Mayor of Livingstone. Matt and Senator John Crane recorded an interview with him that reveals that God achieved what He wanted to there in Zambia! It should soon be posted on our website. Praise the Lord!!
Print Fund
Thank you for your gifts for this fund. We used it to take 100 of my books to share with the people. They were delighted. Thank you!
Prayer Please
Pray for ministry fruit that will remain in Zambia from this planting until Christ returns, and for the protection of those on the front line.
Pray for us as we minister to both outgoing and incoming legislators here in Indiana. May God’s favor continue to lead us and give us “room.”
Thank you, partners, I praise God for you, your faithful and generous support and prayer. I cannot do what I do without you.
All glory to God, Deuteronomy 8:2a.
Pam