Zambia Hunt

This morning (10 August 2025), Kitwe Church set apart Lazarus Chanda for the gospel ministry. Lazarus is a graduate of CABU, and has been a pastoral intern at KC. As a congregation, we have watched Pastor Lazarus’ life, we have examined his doctrine, and we have participated side-by-side in ministry at Kitwe Church. What a privilege to ordain him to the gospel ministry.

Lazarus Chanda and his wife Pheobe, along with their three little sons, Talent, Timothy, and Titus Abraham, leave this week to move to the city of Kasama in Northern Province. Survey work has been done, and with God’s enabling, a church will be planted in Kasama Central. This church plant will minister in Bemba, the language most spoken by the people in the area.

Pastor Hector Garcia preached from 1 Peter 5:1-4, issuing a Scriptural charge to Pastor Chanda and to the members of Kitwe Church, “Shepherding Like the Chief Shepherd.”

After the ordination Lazarus, Pheobe joined her husband, and we commissioned them to the work of church planting in Kasama. We asked Pastor Chanda to respond to the following commitments and affirmations which he did with a hearty “I will”, and then we asked the members of Kitwe Church to do the same.

Commitments & Affirmations for Lazarus Chanda:

By God’s grace, we affirm and commit to the following:

1. Will you be accountable to Kitwe Church as your sending church in all matters of this mission of evangelism, discipleship, and planting a New Testament church in Kasama, Zambia?
2. With God’s help, Will you preach the gospel and make disciples of those who believe in Jesus in Kasama? 
3. Do you commit before God and this congregation that you will labor with God’s help to establish a gospel-centered church among the people of Kasama?
4. Do you agree to abide by the philosophy of the mission of Kitwe Church as stated in the Missionary Covenant?
5. Will you commit to remaining at the task of planting a church in Kasama until your job is finished, and seek counsel and approval from the Kitwe Church Elders should you feel led to change your objective, the place, or the plan we have agreed to follow?
6. Will you be accountable for using mission finances according to the approved budget and providing regular reports to Kitwe Church?

Commitments and Affirmations for Kitwe Church:

1. Will you commit to praying frequently, fervently, and specifically for Lazarus and Phoebe as they move to plant a church in Kasama?
2. Will you contribute generously to Kitwe Church’s missions, “As God shall prosper,” to ensure that we meet our monthly missions budget?
3. Will you commit to corresponding with the Chanda family regularly by WhatsApp, text message, or email to let them know of your prayers for them?
4. As the Lord enables, will you participate in sending representatives from Kitwe Church to Kasama to minister with the Chanda’s and encourage them?
5. Will you faithfully pray for God to establish a healthy, reproducing church in Kasama?
6. With God’s help, will you endeavor to faithfully proclaim the gospel here in Kitwe, the same way we are asking the Chandas to do in Kasama?

Would you join us in prayer for the Chanda family as they head out to do the work of ministry? Ask God to protect this family, to provide their needs, and to plant a healthy reproducing church in this city, that will be used by God to further the gospel throughout the Northern Province.