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Zambia BIC Church turns 100

MACHA, Zambia — A century ago, two courageous Brethren in Christ missionaries, H. Frances Davidson and Adda Engle, set off to plant a church in Zambia. Today, what began as a mission in the bush of south-central Africa, has grown into a mature and significant part of the body of Christ.

August 16-20, the Zambia BIC Church, along with Brethren in Christ World Missions (BICWM) held a centennial celebration at Macha Mission. More than 2,000 people from 150 congregations across Zambia along with guests from Malawi, Zimbabwe, the Netherlands and North America, including church leaders and former missionaries, travelled to Macha for the celebration.

The crowd proved to be too large for the church building, so after the first evening the celebrative services moved outside to a large tent, set up to shade the stage and dignitaries and some participants; many others sat on benches in the sun.

An original drama by Deacon Chindolo featured Frances (Rachel Copenhaver) and Adda (Stellah Jongolo) arriving in their wagon pulled by two oxen (pastors with cowbells) and meeting a rather feisty Chief Macha (Pastor Muzwanaheni). Ron Herr depicted an old headman going from discouragement to hope as he talked to God

It was a joyful time of many songs, some of them original, dances, sermons, communion and an address by the Honorable Lupando Mwape, Zambia’s vice-president, who challenged the church to use its gifts and above all to show love.

Offering baskets (tusuwo) were passed on several occasions to establish an endowment fund for evangelism and church planting. Warren Hoffman presented Bishop Hamukang’andu with a commemorative plaque on behalf of the BICC in North America.

“The centennial celebtation is over and we praise God for His presence through the celebrations...[and for] the grace of God that has led and is leading us in the church,” said Bishop Hamukang’andu. M H Mudenda and Robert Mudaala co-chaired the planning for the event.

Esther Spurrier, BICWM representative for Zambia, reflects: “In times like these, we want to celebrate God's goodness and faithfulness, to remember the many people who responded to the call of God to plant and grow this church, and to look forward to what God will do in and through our church in the coming years.”

— From seek, fall 2006, and September INTERCOM, the Zambia BICC monthly missionary newsletter