Zambia

Presbyterian World Mission works in partnership with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia, the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa Synod of Zambia, the United Church of Zambia, and Justo Mwale University.

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia has 75,000 communicants, experiencing phenomenal growth in the 30 years since it was constituted as a synod. Much of its holistic ministry is conducted through multiple departments organized at the synod level — all of which address aspects of endemic poverty. The church’s Education Department supports 14 mission schools in rural eastern Zambia, which serve 13,800 poor rural children. The 30 community schools, 10 in Lusaka and 20 in eastern Zambia, are run by volunteers and serve approximately 5,000 orphans and vulnerable children whose family or guardians cannot afford the uniform, shoes, and notebooks required by public schools. The church works to address preventative diseases in Zambia through its Community Health Evangelism program and focuses on economic insecurity through its program to organize Village Savings and Loan Associations at the grassroots level.

Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synod of Zambia especially focuses on growing Chasefu Theological College and Model Farm, sister institutions currently under development in rural eastern Zambia. Students at Chasefu complete a three-year diploma program in theological education. The theological training is supplemented by training in agriculture, community health evangelism, and village savings and loan associations, so the newly placed pastors are able to address physical as well as spiritual and emotional needs of church and community members.

Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa Synod of Zambia was constituted as a synod in 2012 and is now working to establish formal offices, provide for a full-time synod administrator, and institute departments to address major issues confronting church and society. Many of the 35 congregations run schools that generate income to sustain ministry. Another focus is addressing the HIV/AIDS pandemic in Zambia. The women especially focus on developing Camp Deborah, located outside Lusaka, as a multipurpose center with school, poultry farm, clinic, and synod offices.

The United Church of Zambia, a merger of six mission churches at the time of Zambian independence, is the largest Protestant church in Zambia. It has approximately 3 million members organized in over 1,000 congregations and nine presbyteries. United Church of Zambia follows a Presbyterian style of polity. It works through multiple departments and organizations — including Mbreshi and Mwandi Hospitals and Chipembe Farm — to improve quality of life for members and Zambian citizens.

Justo Mwale University (JMU), the theological institution of the Reformed Church of Zambia, relocated to Lusaka, Zambia, from Eastern Province in 1969, and in 1989 implemented a multi-church college board. At that time, it opened its doors to students from the five synods of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, presbyteries of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa, and the Presbyterian Church of Mozambique. In 2013, Justo Mwale was awarded the status of a university by the Zambian Higher Education Authority. In addition to its School of Theology and Religious Studies, JMU has begun Schools of Education, Business Studies, and Humanities and Social Sciences.

Through theoretical and practical learning in the School of Theology and Religious Studies, Justo Mwale University is instrumental in meeting the critical need for well-trained pastors in rapidly growing Reformed churches in southern Africa. The School of Theology offers degrees at diploma, bachelor’s, and master’s levels. It provides a certificate program in Women’s Ministry for pastors’ spouses, and, through its Booth Center, offers certificate programs in Christian Mission, Christian Stewardship, and Sustainability for evangelists and pastors. Justo Mwale is accredited by the Accrediting Council for Theological Education in Africa (ACTEA), and is recognized by Zambian Ministry of Education. It holds multiple agreements of institutional cooperation.

Join the Zambia-Zimbabwe-Mozambique-USA (ZZMUSA) Mission Network, one of more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries, or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and develop strategies. Contact the convener Tom Sheffield at sheffieldtom@comcast.net for the date and location of the next conference.

Consider developing a partnership with a congregation or institution of one of the Zambian partner churches in keeping with the interest of your congregation. Experience transformation of your own congregation as you witness the incredible faith of Zambians praising God in the face of poverty, disease, and death. Contact the Rev. Paula Cooper at paula.cooper@pcusa.org for more information.

Help alleviate poverty in Zambia by partnering with CCAP Zambia in the campaign to provide quality education for children.

Help share the Good News of Jesus Christ by partnering with CCAP Zambia in the campaign to train leaders for community transformation. 

Rev. Paula Cooper, Regional Liaison, paula.cooper@pcusa.org