Newly renovated Kabumbwe church during the service
on Christmas day 2009

The members of Kabumbwe congregation in Choma had a double celebration on 25 December, 2009 as they celebrated Christmas in commemoration of the birth of Jesus Christ, as well as the handing over of their renovated church building.

Kabumbwe is a remote congregation located about 30 kilometers west of Choma and was one of the first churches (in the New Apostolic Church) built in Zambia, it was dedicated in 1959 by late District Apostle Hubert Fernandes. Apostle George Henwood built it when he moved from Livingstone to Choma. It is only about 50 meters away from the house where the late apostle lived.

Being one of the oldest Church buildings, there was need for renovations. Brother James Ndambo (son of late Apostle Henwood) offered to renovate the church. This was after brother Ndambo had experiences where his late father appeared to him and indicated that he was not happy with the state of the church building. This experience occurred to him so many times that he decided to renovate the Church.

This double celebration for the members of Kabumbwe Congregation commenced with a Christmas service conducted by the area Apostle Baker Chakwana, and attended by 1,784 members that included 38 visitors.

The text word was taken from the book of Luke 2:15–17:

“And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us, and they came with haste, and found Mary and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.”

After the service, brother Ndambo handed over the building back to the church. With this handover, there was also a donation of one fridge, two television sets, two four plate cookers, a marquee and a dinner set to the congregation.

In the afternoon, there were some entertainment activities performed by various groups including the Sunday school, youth choir and senior members to celebrate their renovated church building. After these activities there was a pleasant surprise of a handover of two new motor vehicles to the headmasters of Njase and Choma Secondary schools, respectively.

The Apostle was accompanied by Bishop Christopher Kaluma. The service was also attended by Chief Chikanta of Choma and one Member of Parliament from Zimbabwe, Mr. Chindakwa.   

Apostle Chakwana and some leaders pose for a photograph in front of the old Kabumbwe church before it was renovated


 

Brother James Ndambo (centre) handing over the building to
Apostle Baker Chakwana (left) after the service on Christmas day




The inside of the renovated Kabumbwe Church





Senior members performing after the service