God calls us not just to be a witness in our local area but to go to the nations as well. It is our mission for everyone to know about Jesus. The Community Church, Honiton, has had links with Zambia for some time. As a church we have worked with other Newfrontiers churches to support Christians in Southern Zambia, as they have worked out what church looks like in their setting. Tony and Val Harwood have had a business in the capital, Lusaka, for several years and have now moved to Zambia. Links to the Lusaka church plant and Tony’s business Shakespeare Court can be found in the sidebar. In May 2011, Martin and Amanda also moved out to Zambia to get stuck in with what’s going on in Zambia. You can stay up-to-date with their blog (right).

History

Initially, church leaders made contact with Gary Welsh, who oversees the involvement of Newfrontiers in Sub-Saharan Africa, and in April 2008 Grant Van Schalkwyk was present at the launch of Jubilee Community Church, Livingstone, under the leadership of Chrispen Kazaka. Grant led a team of ten to Livingstone in the summer of 2008 who were able to serve the church there by helping with evangelism and teaching in church, whilst also giving advice on some small business projects.

The team included members of the puppet team, which was an attraction for all ages, whilst Football Training proved very popular amongst the young lads of the city. Football kits and training equipment were presented to the church, and the team continues to prosper. Whilst in Southern Zambia the team visited the village of Sikaunzwe, about 80km west of Livingstone. There they were able to give advice on farming projects, and basic training in Foundations for Farming.

In March 2009 Norman Amey and Jeremy Gibson visited Livingstone for the first anniversary of Jubilee Church, Livingstone and the launch of Jubilee Community Church, Sikaunzwe, led by ‘David’ Lubasi Libakeni. Jeremy provided training on HIV and Norman focussed on developments with Farming God’s Way. They were thrilled to see that since the team had visited in 2008 the church from South Africa had delivered chickens to the church, which were now doing well in their mud built henhouse.

Jeremy visited again in December 2009, when he was able to give medical advice and help with seed for the new season’s planting.

We sent out another team, led by Norman and Alison Amey, in July 2010. We worked with the local church leaders to identify the vision that local people have for their development, rather than imposing what we see as their needs and priorities. The team included medical experts, a chicken farmer, a water engineer, children’s workers and business advisers. The people of southern Zambia continue to inspire and encourage us in our faith. As we have worked with them to improve their own situation they have demonstrated to us the positive faith that can be built through adversity and the joy that can be found in worshiping the living God.

During their visit in 2010, our team were able to worship with the church in Livingstone, and provided a copy of the Bible to every church member. We visited them in their Home Groups and ate with them in an impromptu barbeque. They continue to impress us with their love and charity. Whilst visiting at Sikaunzwe we were able to help them in repairing 3 much needed Bore Hole pumps, and also provided some information on Bee Keeping and Foundations for Farming, to achieve improved yields. At both venues we were able to show a DVD of the life of Jesus, share our faith and pray with them for the sick. These are long term projects for our churches, as we seek to share and serve the God whom we worship.