Meet Pastor Chiwuswa

"Let no one despise you for your youth, but set the believers an example in speech, in conduct, in love, in faith, in purity." -- 1 Timothy 4:12

There are fifteen pastors currently enrolled in the Action Bible Institute, and all but one of them are married.  In the U.S. this might not be a big deal for the lone unmarried man, but in Zambian culture singleness and marriage carry very significant social connotations.  The married man eats before the unmarried man at meals, is addressed more respectfully in public, and so forth.  In this sense Zambia is far closer to Biblical culture than modern American culture: much the same way Paul encuraged Timothy not to let anyone look down on him because of his youth, young Zambian men likewise need to be encouraged that their faith speaks for them ahead of their culture.

James Chiwuswa has attended the Anglican church since childhood, and as a youth was very zealous for his faith, even being given his own congregation at age 21.  But he soon found himself surrounded with bad company, and so he gradually left the church as a drunkard in his early 20's.  After trying for many years -- unsuccessfully -- to obtain training as a mechanic, James found himself in a miserable condition, drunk and impoverished.  But God was gracious, and led him to move back home with his mother to live in Makeni Ecumenical Center, a small neighborhood center to the South of downtown Lusaka.  This decision led him to a renewed faith in Christ, and to this day he lives with family in Makeni Ecumenical Center, having been given another congregation in nearby Kalikiliki Compound.  James has not touched a drink since moving to Makeni, and he hopes to join the ranks of the married very soon to a beautiful, godly woman who he himself led to Christ with the rest of her family.

Please be praying for James as he prepares for marriage.  Also pray that he would have the ability to minister both to his flock and to his young family once he is married: the Anglican Church where James is a priest is able to provide only very little financially, yet God has proved himself faithful to provide for James thus far.  Many thanks also to you as you provide support for James as he takes time out of his week to learn more about God's Word which could be used for supplemental income or for further ministry to his people.