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ZAMBIA CELEBRATES 90 YEARS WITH CHIEF APOSTLE
By Nathaniel Lowa in Livingstone
1928
is a significant year for New Apostolic Church Christians in Zambia because it
marks the inception of the church. It was in that year that George Henwood
Mkandawire, after joining the New Apostolic Church in Cape Town, brought the
gospel he had encountered to Zambia.
The
church has since grown from a few members to about 1,214,972 members with over 7,500
congregations across the country over the past 90 years.
For
this reason, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider joined the rest of New Apostolic
Church members in Zambia in celebrating its 90 years of existence.
Upon
his arrival on the 26th of April, 2018, the Chief Apostle, who was
accompanied by District Apostle Michael Deppner of Congo and District Apostle
Helper Patrick Mkhwanazi of South Africa, was received by District Apostle
Charles Ndandula.
24
Apostles and 15 bishops from Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe equally travelled to
Livingstone to be part of the celebration.
On
the 27th of April 2018, the Chief Apostle held a closed door meeting
at 10:00 hours with all active Apostles and Bishops and while the meeting was going
on, the sisters’ fellowship held indoor activities where Sister Pascale
Schneider was guest of honor.
The
Chief Apostle, after the meeting, then proceeded to visit a game park locally
called “The Big 5” which hosts different types of endangered animals including
Lions, Elephants, Cheetahs and Caracals. He later proceeded to the world
heritage site of the Victoria Falls.
During
his tour, the Chief Apostle emphasized the need for God’s children to
appreciate God’s creation as it is a reminder of how wonderful God is.
The
hype of activities in the tourist capital, Livingstone, officially started the
following day, Saturday, 28th April 2018 with a match past, which
started at 8:30 hours at Maramba Church to Livingstone Civic Centre where the
Chief Apostle and his entourage were in attendance.
At
the Civic Centre, the Chief Apostle addressed members and encouraged them to
continue growing the works of faith for many more years to come and to emulate
what the pioneers of this work did.
The
Chief Apostle could not hide his excitement towards the concert which was held
at Musi O Tunya church the same day in the afternoon where he was guest of
honor.
At
the concert, he appreciated the works done by the choir and organizers but also
encouraged them to continue finding joy in singing for the Lord. He also called
upon the members to remain strong in faith.
“Let
us always remember to lean upon our heavenly Father and let us be strong in
words and in deeds but also to remember that Jesus is our rock,” he said.
The
celebration of 90 years was completed with a festive divine service on Sunday,
29th April 2018. The Chief Apostle in his sermon read from Matthews 10 Vs 6 as the text word: “Your Kingdom come, Your will be done on earth
as it is in Heaven”.
The
Chief Apostle, during the service made reference to the works of those who
pioneered God’s work in Zambia. “We express our gratitude to our forefathers
and to all the previous generations that have worked before us. We benefit
today from their work and their sacrifices and we are so thankful to God that
we can be part of this work of salvation; that we too could receive the gift of
the Holy Spirit.”
He
then explained why, as children of God, we need to pray in line with the text
word. “We want to do the will of God as the will of God is done in Heaven. And
why are we asking to have the strength to do God’s will? Because we know that
God abides with those who comply with His will, and we want God to abide with
us. And this we know that the only way for God to abide and be with us is to do
His will,” he said.
In
winding up the service he encouraged the members to understand the will of
Jesus Christ. “The will of God is that we overcome all our differences to become one
in Christ. Blessed are those who
understand the will of Jesus and do it.
“The will of God is that our neighbor is saved too and over
this too we want His will to be done on Earth as it is done in Heaven. We do
want our neighbour to be saved even if he is in prison because he is guilty,
even if he is a stranger, somebody who is totally different from us,” he said.
The
Chief Apostle, after Holy Communion, put into retirement Apostle Godwin Lubinda
Nyuwa of Sesheke-Mulobezi Apostle Area who has been active for 38 years as a
Minister in the church and more than seven years as an Apostle. The Chief
Apostle also retired Apostle Ignatius Bisenga Luneta of Senanga-Shangombo
Apostle Area, who has been active for 41 years as a Minister and more than 25
years as an Apostle.
Chief
Apostle Schneider then ordained District Elder Peter Mukonda (Senanga-Shangombo
Apostle Area) and District Elder Sabwiza Tufule (Sesheke-Mulobezi Apostle Area)
as Apostles to replace the two retired Apostles.
The
Chief Apostle also appointed Apostle Kububa Soko of Chipata as District Apostle
Helper for Zambia who has been assigned 5 provinces namely, Western, North
Western, Copperbelt, Eastern and Luapula provinces, respectively. The District Apostle
Helper Robert Nsamba will be responsible for the other five provinces, namely
Southern, Central, Lusaka, Northern and Muchinga.
12,604
members including 170 guests attended the service at Nakatindi, which was
transmitted live throughout Zambia, Malawi and Zimbabwe via Zambia National
Broadcasting Corporation TV1 & Radio 2.
The Chief Apostle and his wife Pascale left Zambia for home on 30th April 2018.