Kabwata Baptist Church Open Forum

The report is for the period September to December 2005 and covers the activities of John Laing Reformed Baptist Church.

MEMBERSHIP:
One lady was baptized and accepted into our membership. We also had a brother who left for New Zealand. The membership remains at 16. We have four who have accepted the Lord who are starting their baptism classes very soon.

MEETINGS:
The last quarter of the year was coloured with a number of activities, the usual Sunday services were well attended. We also had a privilege to work with a cell group from Kabwata Baptist Church who sponsored a group of 11 youths to the December Youth camp held by Kabwata Baptist Church. We also had a Christmas party on 24th December 2005 which to our satisfaction was well attended. We are busy doing follow – ups this January.
The two events were jointly sponsored by the Kabwata Baptist Church cell group and John Laing Baptist Church. This gave a lot of enthusiasm to the leadership and indeed was an inspiration. During this quarter the pulpit ministry has continued with the book of Malachi and the bible study the book of Acts. We finished our studies on the Holy-Spirit and we are studying the methods or dynamics of evangelism.
We hope to hold a crusade in the second quarter this year during the Easter and Good Friday week.

MINISTRIES:
The youth and ladies ministries continue to do well although we need more activities so that they may be kept more focused and organized. This is our major aim for the coming quarter. We are proposing to do projects to keep those who have no proper income to care for themselves. This can be done using what we may call revolving funds.

FINANCES:
The continued transfer of people in permanent employment to other places has affected our financial status. We only pray that those of our members who are in membership may find meaningful employment.

INCOME UNDER MISSIONS:
The church got sponsorship of some young people (from our partners at the Kabwata cell group) to attend a Youth conference. They also donated food stuffs for evangelistic meals. Again this was very encouraging to the flock.

EXPENDITURE:
No major projects were done other than painting and the usual church expenses in form of transport and stationary.

BUILDING PROJECT:
As we indicated in the last report, we managed to paint the inside of the church building.
We are looking forward to put up windows and toilets.

Collins Dube.

1.0 Membership
The number is at 21 due to the mobility of members and the possibility of another member relocating to the Copperbelt. There are a number of people who accepted the Lord but have not undergone baptism yet. Pray with us as we seek to begin a Baptismal class.

2.0 Bible Study
We are studying the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith (Chapter 8 of Christ the Mediator) on Sunday morning prior to the main service. Studies on the Church are done every Thursday.

3.0 Cell Groups
Two of the three Cell groups are functional and doing well. Pray that the Shampande group will resume its meetings soon. The first Tuesday of the month is set aside for prayer at the Church premises instead of the usual meetings in our Cell groups.

4.0 Church Evangelism
The third Saturday of the month is our day for Church outreach. Hence the third Sunday of every month is set aside as a Guest Service. The Tuesday leading to the last Saturday of the month is also designated for neighborhood evangelism.

5.0 CHURCH MINISTRIES
5.1 Sunday School
5.1.0 Junior class children have responded very well in terms of participation and recitation of memory verses.
5.1.1 Attendance in the Middle class was not been good due to School Examination preparation and water shortage which hit the town of Choma as a result of the draught. Numbers went as less as 4 (School days), but shot up to about 11 during holidays. Participation was good. Topics covered were: Finding a way to witnessing in everyday life, Doing things God’s way, Preparing for a difficult assignment, Keeping the faith, Following God whole heartedly, Looking to God for help, Trusting God when troubles arise, Worshipping only God, and Coming to God.
One of the teachers moved to another town in December 2005 leaving only one lady to handle the class. There is urgent need for someone to assist.

5.2 Youth Fellowship
The group has three regular members and three who are not. Poor attendance will need a lot of assistance from the older members of the church. Pray for this struggling group.

5.3 Couples Fellowship
Mr M. Kasase who was chosen to assist Mr J. Malipenga was transfered to Chipata. An evaluation meeting was held to access the impact of Seminars facilitated by Pastor K. Sunkutu and Pastor R. Banda. This too went very well though attendance was not as expected.

5.4 Ladies Fellowship
The group meets every second Saturday of each month. Attendance has gone down. Meetings were held in the last quarter: The Ladies Evangelistic meeting was organised in conjunction with the Kabwata Baptist Church ladies. This too was well attended.

5.5 Pulpit Ministry
During the last quarter the leadership agreed that Pulpit ministry should address areas of special concern. This is being done while the letters of John are being handled in the evening.

6.0 CHURCH ACTIVITIES
6.1 Harvest Week
About 30 people passed through our church during the period in the month of September 2005. The theme was ‘Jesus the Saviour’. The speaker was Pastor O. Sichula from Emmasdale Baptist Church in Lusaka. Please pray with us in our evangelistic efforts.

6.2 Song Leaders and Ushers Seminar
This seminar handled by Pastor Kamanga went well and was attended by 4 people. One participant was heard as saying, ‘It was indeed an eye opener’. Pray for those who attended as they practice what was learned. We are looking for yet another opportunity in the near future.

6.3 Preachers Seminar
The Preachers Seminar which did not take place during the last quarter will take place the first quarter of year 2006. Plans are underway for all involved in Pulpit Ministry to meet regularly for discussion sessions.

6.4 Kabwata Baptist Church Junior Youth Camp
Six of our Sunday School children attended a Youth Camp in Lusaka west. Reports indicate that this was a beneficial experience for all who attended.

6.5 Church Social
A very successful Church Social was held on 26 December 2005 at Pastor Kamanga’s home. Activities included a quiz between the Junior and Senior Sunday School classes, Lunch, a Sermon and games. Pastor and his wife were in attendance after a period of 2 years due to the fact that this coincided with their being on leave.

7.0 Church Leadership
An announcement for need to have a Pastoral team in place was made. This will be concluded by the end of January 2006. Some names were proposed names. Please pray.

8.0 Building Project
Construction works commenced on our cottage and have reached slab level. The completion of the cottage will create extra room for Pastor’s office at church which is at the moment occupied by the caretaker. The work is slow due to limited resources. Do remember us in your prayers.

10.0 Family Matters
Precious Kamanga had found ‘piece work’ in Monze which came to an end and is currently here at home looking for another job. Obvious Kamanga has completed part of his course at the Zambia Institute of Business Studies and Industrial Practice (ZIBSIP) and hopes to go to the Copperbelt University (CBU) for the next stage. Pray for the needed finances. Ruth and Phoebe are on the Copperbelt in Ndola having completed their Grade 12. Pray also for Pastor Kamanga for his future ministry as his ministry at Central Baptist Church in Choma has come to an end.

Wilson Kamanga
PASTOR

EBENEZER BAPTIST CHURCH REPORT
FOR SEPTEMBER – DECEMBER 2005

1. MEMBERSHIP
The church had 19 members as indicated in our previous report but this has come down to 15 after 4 members left town.
2. MEETINGS
We have Bible Study on Tuesday and prayer meeting on Thursday while Wednesdays and Fridays are for evangelism. The first Saturday of every month is for prayer and fasting.
3. MINISTRIES
We would like you to pray for the Youth, Women and Sunday school ministries, which are not doing well. However, thank God for the men’s ministry which is doing well.
4. MISSIONS
In September we were in Congo DR for an 8 day seminar. In November, I went to Congo with another brother following an invitation for baptism. We had the Lord’s Supper with the brethren there for the first time. We thank the Lord that this (the Lord’s Supper) has continued in all the 3 churches in Congo DR. There is a great spiritual need in these churches. For this reason, the church in Mwense has allowed me to be going there to help them every last week of each month. We need your prayers for mission’s financial resources to Congo.

5. PLANS FOR 2006

BUILDING PROJECT
We thank the Lord for the money raised so far for our church plot. The Lord willing, we will reach the needed amount by end of January. Immediately after the rains, we are planning to begin working on the foundation and the making of bricks.

We are also planning to develop the ministries that are not doing well.

6. ITEMS FOR PRAYER
Pray for:
a) The development of the ministries that are not doing well.
b) Spiritual and Numerical growth
c) Effective evangelism
d) Resources for the building
e) Congo churches

Thanks for all your support and care, both spiritually and physically. May the Lord bless you according to his glorious riches in heaven.

Kennedy Chibwe.

The children’s ministry is a section of the church concerned with the proper nurture of children especially in a spiritual sense. As a ministry we realize how important children and their spiritual nature are to God and thus the value of training them in the way they should go (the way of the Lord), so that when they are old, they will not depart from it.

Our main goal is ‘the conversion of children’ now or hereafter. We are also concerned about their other needs, physical, social, academic, etc especially that ignoring some of these needs may turn them into real impediments for the acceptance of the gospel by the children.

To address the various needs that children have, we operate three (3) departments:

Sunday school department

The Sunday school takes places every Sunday morning at Kabwata Baptist Church from 09.00 hours to 10.00 hours. We are currently teaching the children lessons from the shorter catechism and are dealing with the section relating to the Ten Commandments.

The process of publishing of song book for children is on-going and we have already put together more than 100 songs which we hope can be used in our children’s ministry and will also be made available to other churches as well. The song book is expected to be completed by August 2008 and hopefully will be on sale at the agricultural show outreach.

We have started the process of compiling the lessons from the shorter catechism that have been prepared by various Sunday school teachers with plans to publish the lessons in booklet form. The first part of this booklet should be available by December 2008.

The children will be going for an outing after the cold season in September 2008. We are yet to choose an exciting venue for this outing.

For further details on how your child can join and benefit from our Sunday school ministry please contact Aunty Tiwonge Chilufya on 0977 449700 or Aunty Masela Kaunda on 0977 872853.

Children’s Community Bible Clubs

Bible clubs are community based and mostly target children other than those belonging to our church members. Our goal again is still to lead the children to the Lord Jesus Christ while they are young, or at least, to ‘arm’ them with God’s word for life’s challenges. Different activities including bible lessons, games, tours, parties, etc are engaged in.

A number of bible clubs meet every Saturday in the various neighbourhoods of Lusaka. You can encourage your children to attend any of these bible clubs so that they may gain spiritual knowledge and wisdom. We have bible clubs in the following areas:
1. Rhodespark
2. Kabwata Site and Service
3. Libala
4. Libala South
5. Chilenje
6. Mtendere

BEREAN REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH ANNUAL REPORT.
(PRESENTED AT THE 2006 MISSIONARY RETREAT, LUSAKA.)
___________________________________________________________________

INTRODUCTION

The report covers the period of January to December 2005. Our church clocks two years of existence on 8th of February 2006.

Chingola Central Baptist Church has continued to support us through provision of manpower while Kabwata Baptist Church has also continued through provision of financial support.

The meeting place is still located on plot no. 144, Konkola industrial road.

MEMBERSHIP

The church has a regular attendance of 17 adults and 6 children. This is apart from the visitors received on most Sundays and also from the regular attendance of members from Chingola Central Baptist Church.
During the year, the church lost a regular member by death in the name of Silas Bwalya. This was the first death to occur in the church.

MEETINGS

We now have three meetings taking place in the same rented building during the week; namely, our Sunday services, Wednesday Bible studies and a Sunday Ladies fellowship. We also have a weekly prayer meeting on Fridays at the house of brother Lewis Chizu. The average attendance on Wednesday Bible studies has been improving steadily to a figure of 10 while the Friday prayer attendance is still poor to a decimal figure of 3 and at other times 4 at the most.

MINISTRIES

The Church has since developed the following ministries: -
 A Sunday school class for children handled by Mrs. Margaret Sakala.
 An adult Bible class - handled by Mr. Chilila, Lewis and pastor.
 A weekly follow-up and visitation programs mostly handled by pastor and his wife and brother Lewis.
 A marital counseling session, which caters for both church members and non-church members.

EVANGELISTIC PROGRAMMES

The church concentrated its evangelistic efforts last year in the Kamenza Township only. This led to about ninety three percent (93%) of the houses in Kamenza Township to be visited through the door-to door evangelism strategy. The other strategy used frequently was the distribution of church brochures and tracts in the Kamenza Play Park, Town Center and the popular high way roads. These efforts resulted in a total number of 54 people responding and attending our Sunday church services.
Chingola Central Baptist members also did support us occasionally in our evangelism efforts.

PREACHING AND TEACHING MINISTRY.

 The pastor is currently taking a series in the book of 2 Peter. These series were begun in April last year.
 On Wednesday Bible Studies, the church is studying Psalm 119 with an emphasis on the benefits of studying and knowing the Word of God.

VISITING PREACHERS.

The church had both foreign and local visiting preachers last year: -
 Local Visiting Preachers – Pastor C. Mweetwa, Ray Munsaka, Duncan Mugala and Albert Ngoma from Chingola Central Baptist church, Ndonji Kayombo and Joseph Phiri from Trinity Baptist Church, Pastor Raphael Banda from Mazabuka Baptist Church and Pastor Nsenduluka from Botswana.
 Foreign Visiting Preachers – Paul Washer from Heartcry Mission Society of United States of America and also Andrew Alsop from United Kingdom of Britain.

LEADERSHIP DEVELOPMENT

The church has recognized brother Lewis Chizu as a potential candidate to be appointed to deaconate duties later this year. We have another brother by the name of Mwangala Walubita who is being considered for development in reading of scriptures and also in leading of worship service on Sundays. We also have our father Mr. Chilila, who is at the moment the oldest in our congregation, allowed to conduct adult Bible Studies on Sundays.

BAPTISM CLASS.

The church started a baptism class with seven candidates. However, the number has since reduced to four (4) as the others were less committed. Brother Gregory Kanyanta, a deacon from Chingola Central Baptist, is assisting in conducting the classes every Sunday. The first baptism service is tentatively planed for March this year.

NEW MEMBERS FROM OTHER CHURCHES.

 The church will receive a couple by the name of Richard and Lily Manga from Chingola Central Baptist Church. Brother Manga is coming on transfer and is currently serving as a deacon at Central Baptist Church in Chingola.
 The church has also received a new brother by the name of Obrian Banda from Chimwemwe Baptist Church in Kitwe. He is waiting to be employed by the Konkola Copper Mines as an electrician.

MAJOR ITEMS FOR PRAYERS

1. Please pray for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in all our evangelistic efforts, visitations and follow ups, so that they may have a good harvest among the people of Chililabombwe.
2. The place were we are meeting is still open for sale. The church is interested in purchasing and hence prayers for finances are being solicited. The building itself is ideal for a church building and also for running a school.
3. We have noticed that in the many homes that we have entered to evangelize, we are met with glaring poverty. Often times, we have had to dig deep into our pockets to attend to their needs. Please pray with us that the Lord may provide enough resources to our church to enable us meet these challenges.

FUTURE PLANS

• The church is currently intending to buy sports equipment such as soccer, volleyball kits etc, to use as a strategy of reaching out to the youths in our town. This will enable the church begin a youth fellowship as well.
• A ladies fellowship has already been formed. We have about eight women already attending.
• The church is also waiting upon God to enter into the Congo DRC with the gospel. But this will only be done after the church is fully established.

“Finally, brothers, pray for us that the message of the Lord may spread rapidly and be honored, just as it was with you”. (2 Thess.3: 1.).

TESTIMONY
I came to know and to confess Jesus as my Lord and my Saviour under the work of the Zambia Baptist Association (ZBA). Their Good News Ministry Team had come to establish a Baptist work in Isoka and I was one of the early converts of that work. At the time I was doing my eleventh grade at Isoka boys Secondary School. My parents were members of an African independent church called African National Church and that was the church my siblings and I attended. Thus I grew up as a religious boy from a religious family; a situation that gave me confidence that I was therefore saved. But when the gospel was preached by one of the team members it became very clear to me that I was a sinner, utterly lost and urgently needing a Saviour. I confessed my sins and invited Jesus in my life. That was how my Saviour found me. Full of the Zeal of meeting my Lord and Saviour I Immediately began to share my conversion story to friends and relatives. I soon got entrenched and confident in sharing my testimony to people when I discovered that many had the same wrong basis of their salvation as I had previously. This gave me an opportunity to share with the people the truth of salvation in Christ and through Him alone.

CALL TO MINISTRY
After completing my twelveth grade I wanted to pursue tertiary education but I needed someone for career guidance. I approached my pastor who without hesitation told me that my career was simply to answer the ministry call. Even though I was zealous with the things of God I had never considered entering full time ministry. Disappointed with my pastor’s advice I decided to enrol for a course in Electrical studies at Northern Technical College (NORTEC) in Ndola. I later joined Colgate Palmolive Company as a trainee Plant Electrician. However, after two years of working there it became very apparent to me that the Lord wanted me for full time ministry service. Even then I felt inadequate and ill equipped for such a mammoth task of working for the Lord, and I made these fears known to Him. He answered by opening a door for me to study at the Theological College of Central Africa (TCCA). My first ministry service was with Emmasdale Baptist Church where I served for three years. When at the end of that time the church did not renew my contract, the Lord opened another window of opportunity for me to pursue more theological studies in South Africa which I completed in 2007.

I am married to Mwenya and we have a three year old daughter, Lumbanji.

Oswald, Lumbanji and Mwenya

Oswald Sichula.

MWENYA SICHULA’S TESTIMONY

I came to know the Lord Jesus Christ as my Lord and Saviour in 1993. Both my parents were Catholics so I was born one as well. After my dad passed away in 1990 my mum allowed us to visit other churches when friends invited us. My sisters and I visited a number of churches but I did not find anything appealing in those churches. It was until we were invited to Emmasdale Church (now Bread of life) that I first heard the gospel being preached. There I heard how we are all born sinners and in need of a Saviour. How God loves us that he has provided a Saviour who is his son Jesus Christ. How he died on the cross and paid for my sins and all I needed to do was to repent of my sins and accept him as Lord of my life. This was in 1991 and I was ten years old. I thought to myself that I was still young for such serious commitments and besides I knew how to become a Christian so that if I fell ill and was about to die I would repent of my sins and God would allow me into heaven.

I continued going to Emmasdale Church and learning more about this Jesus whom I would call on at my convenient time. One night in 1993, there was an earth tremor, some sort of a mini-earthquake. I used to be a sound sleeper so I never heard or felt anything. When I woke up in the morning, I noticed that everyone was looking scared including my mum and were talking to neighbours about what had happened. I asked my sister what was going on and she explained everything to me, how there was a mini earthquake and how that if it had progressed, buildings would have fallen on people in the night. At that point I started thinking about how I would have died and woken up before the judgement seat of God and would be condemned not because I did not know the truth but because I did not take the truth with the urgency it deserved. At that very point, I went to the bedroom and repented of my sins and asked Jesus to come in my heart and be Lord and Saviour of my life.

I have been a Christian ever since and have never regretted.

Dear Brethren,

On behalf of the Antioch Youth conference organizing team, I would like to give thanks to the Lord for the successful conference we had on Monday and Tuesday the 7th & 8th of July 2008.
We had approximately 200 youths in attendance from different churches, institutions and communities. The theme was ‘Marks of a true Christian’ and it was well handled by our two speakers, Elder Chikondi Phiri (from LBC) and Pastor Ndonji Kayombo (from Trinity Baptist Kitwe).

We would like to thank all of you who supported us in the financial contributions and much more in your prayers. Your contributions were really of great value to the conference.

A number of youths appreciated the conference and I have just included a few comments below from some of the evaluation forms we got after our conference so that we can continue praying for the youths.

I quote;

“I was really enriched in all the corners of my life,especially how I must conduct myself at school and church…”

“The conference has really strengthend and built my life us a christian. Always remember to invite our group whenever you have such programes…”

“The theme was really good. It has made me realize who indeed a Christian is..”

“This I must admit was one of the most wonderful conferences I have been to.The sermons were preached very well…”

“Perhaps the conference should start on Saturday….”

“The theme provoked alot of deeper thoughts about myself and enabled me to evaluate my stance before God after the conference…”

As I mentioned earlier, these are some of the few among the many comments we have received. Please continue praying for the salvation of these youths and for healthy spiritual lives for those who are Christians. Again we say thanks to God and for your support.

God Bless!

Bwalya M Kangwa
On behalf of Antioch Organizing Team.

CENTRAL BAPTIST CHURCH OF MAZABUKA

Bi-Weekly Prayer Report for the period 14th to 27th July 2008 No. 39

 Sunday Service: We have resumed our studies in the Gospel of John, after having taken a break early June. We are now in chapter 4 and in the opening verses. Last time we met we were looking at Christ’s ministry with regard to baptism, Christ’s humility with regard to His reaction to the situation created by the Pharisees, and Christ’s humanity as we see Him tired and thirsty. Pray with us that our stay in chapter 4, especially the study of the woman at the well, will prove to be the means of salvation for the many who are not yet converted. Pray also that Christians will draw valuable lessons on how to go about sharing the gospel message and on humility.
 Susan Samatamba: We continued the evangelistic discussions with her. Spent some time showing her that she did not only sin occasionally but that she was actually a sinner, not only by practice, but also by nature. Showed her from the Scriptures that she cannot save herself. At the end she seemed no longer sure if she was a Christian and wanted to know how she could really know if she was born again. After showing her the way of salvation we left her to think through and act on the message we had given her. She seems to be a genuine seeker. Pray that she might seek the Lord whole heartedly and be found by him.
 School Leavers Club Radio Program: In our continued endeavour to reach out to the school leavers in our town, we have introduced a weekly radio programme on our local radio station specially for them. Through this program we hope to attract many more school leavers to participate in the club activities and ultimately to create a forum for outreach to them. The next meeting is scheduled for 4 August. Pray that the Lord will use and establish this ministry and for resources to sustain the radio broadcast.
 Students Ministry: The College for studies of animal husbandry (ZIAH) is now back in session with a new intake. We would like to minister to these students; so we are planning a number of activities to this end including a welcoming get-together for the first years; talks on various topics; sports activities and inviting the students to attend our Sunday services. Pray that this will be possible in view of the few laborers that we have.
 Mariah: She is a Seventh Day Adventist and has been to church a number of times. She had also indicated on a visitor’s slip that she wanted to know the way of salvation. She has been holding on to a salvation by works teaching. My wife has commenced sharing the gospel with her. Pray that the Lord might open her spiritual eyes and save her.
 Courtship Seminar: My wife and I traveled to Kabwata Baptist to conduct this seminar. It was organised by KBC’s marriage enrichment ministry and was attended by a number of young people from KBC, LBC and Evangel Baptist Church. Pray that those young people who are seeking to enter courtship and those who are already courting will be assisted of the Lord to do the right thing and escape the pitfalls.

Report Compiled by:
Raphael Jadge Banda
Missionary Pastor
Central Baptist Church of Mazabuka.

28th July 2008.

SINDA REFORMED BAPTIST CHURCH

PRAYER REQUESTS REPORT 1-17 JULY 2008

Dear Brethren

Greetings from Sinda to you all, brethren, who labour in support of our Church in Sinda.

1. WHEELCHAIR FOR VIOLET PHIRI: We are very thankful to the Lord for the wheel chair that we received for Violet Phiri. Last Sunday, 13 July 2008, was the first time for Violet to attend church service since she was born in 1980. Pray that the Lord may grant her salvation.

2. FUNERAL: Praise be to God for KBC who facilitated the transportation of the body of Pastor Matthews Banda’s auntie from Lusaka to Chitawe, Nyimba, Eastern Province for burial. I preached at the burial from the Book of Acts 4:12; 10:43.

3. ADULT READING CLASS: People from our church have stopped coming for the lessons. I have only three women from different churches such as RCC, etc. Pray that the word might take root in the hearts of these women, and that attendance might improve.

4. YOUTH FOOT BALL TEAM: Our youth have joined together with the youths from the community to make a team, which is doing very well in friendly games. As a church we evangelize the non-Christian team members Wednesdays and Thursdays during their training. We are looking at the theme “Why Jesus Christ Came”.

5. DISCIPLING: On 5 July, 2008, I was teaching members how to witness to individuals and group the gospel. This has been the second time this year to have such meetings. Even those who don’t read attended the meeting, and it was very interesting.

6. OUTREACH: For the past two weeks I have been reaching out to two homes, for Mr. Yuda Phiri and Alice Tembo. Praise be to God! ALICE was with us on Sunday public worship service (13 July 2008). The husband is a Roman Catholic member.

7. BAPTISM SERVICE: We are about to conduct the baptism of 5 people.

8. CHURCH GROWTH: Pray with us for numerical and spiritual growth in our church.

9. Thank God for two individuals who joined us last Sunday 3 July 2008.

GERMAN C. BANDA (MISSIONARY PASTOR)