Don Carson and Thabiti Anyabwile Coming To Zambia!

Yes, word is out!

Don Carson and Thabiti Anyabwile will be the preachers at this year’s Zambian Annual Reformed Conferences, taking place at Lusaka Baptist Church, in Lusaka, from Monday 26 to Friday 30 August. If you are wondering who these two individuals are, just Google their names!

Here is some information to start you off:

Don Carson is research professor of New Testament at Trinity Evangelical Divinity School in Deerfield, Illinois. He has been at Trinity since 1978. Carson came to Trinity from the faculty of Northwest Baptist Theological Seminary in Vancouver, British Columbia, where he also served for two years as academic dean. He has served as assistant pastor and pastor and has done itinerant ministry in Canada and the United Kingdom.

Carson received the Bachelor of Science in chemistry from McGill University, the Master of Divinity from Central Baptist Seminary in Toronto, and the Doctor of Philosophy in New Testament from the University of Cambridge. Carson is an active guest lecturer in academic and church settings around the world. He has written or edited about sixty books. He is a founding member and currently president of The Gospel Coalition. Carson and his wife, Joy, reside in Libertyville, Illinois. They have two adult children.

Thabiti Anyabwile is the full-time husband to a loving wife, Kristie, and father to three adorable children: Afiya, Eden and Titus. He currently serves as senior pastor at First Baptist Church in Grand Cayman, Cayman Islands. Previously, he worked as an assistant pastor at Capitol Hill Baptist Church under Mark Dever.

Thabiti holds B.S. and M.S. degrees in psychology from North Carolina State University. A former high school basketball coach and bookstore owner, Thabiti loves reading, sports, and watching sci-fi films. He is the author of The Decline of African-American Theology, What Is a Healthy Church Member?, The Faithful Preacher, The Gospel for Muslims, and The Life of God in the Soul of the Church.

Conference Theme: “The Christian Life: Finding Assurance and Fighting Temptation." Any pastor will tell you that these are the two biggest issues Christians have to handle in this life. Satan first tries to convince them that they are not saved. When he fails, he changes gears and tries to make them mess up their lives with sin and thus render them useless as far as kingdom work is concerned. We trust that our two preachers will help us lock both of those doors securely with biblical clarity so that we can enjoy unclouded fellowship with God and serve him with all our ransomed powers.

Conference Registration: All registration is done on-line. All you need to do is visit the Kabwata Baptist Church website (click here) and fill in your details. It is as simple as that. Payment for the conference will be made when you come. Warning: Firstly, the registration closes on 31 July 2013. Secondly, last year we had about 1,200 people registering for the conference. We expect even more this year. There are limited places for accommodation and it is given on first-come-first-served basis. The message must be obvious. Register NOW!!!

International Guests: The conference is FREE for all INTERNATIONAL guests. We assume that you spend so much money coming to Zambia that we seek to extend to you our well-known Zambian hospitality free of charge. So, if you are coming from outside Zambia, make sure you register early and in due season you will be informed about your accommodation and transport.

BONUS: We have two bonuses at this year’s conference:

1. Our beloved brother Voddie Baucham will be with us again this year. He will simply be bringing the opening keynote address on the Monday evening!

2. We are bringing in some of the books that these authors have written and they will be sold at special conference discounted prices. So, bring some extra cash and ensure that you not only get these books but also have them autographed by the authors!

SEE YOU THERE!!!

My Call To The Ministry—Kasango Kayombo

[This blog post is the 5th instalment in a series of posts where I am interviewing some Reformed Baptist pastors in Zambia who left their jobs in order to become pastors. It is not the only way the Lord leads his people, but it is helpful for those who are in similar situations to realise that their struggles are not unique. It is my prayer that these testimonies will help such individuals to know what to do in order to bring their current struggles to a speedy and happy end.]

Conrad: Kasango, tell us, when did you first begin to sense the call to the preaching ministry?

Kasango: I think my desire to be in the preaching ministry began in the late 1990s but I only expressed it in 2002 when I shared it with my wife, who then was my fiancée. I remember telling her that I had the desire to serve in the office of pastor. However, it took another 5 years for me to make another important step forward partly because I thought the initial desires were just youthful.

This important step was made when the pastor of Grace Reformed Baptist Church requested me to attend the first class of the Copperbelt Ministerial College, a theological school that began on the Copperbelt in July 2007. This was meant to be for auditing purposes. I ended up doing the whole course for 4 years and I was more than ever convinced this is where I belonged.

Conrad: How did this initial sense of call become confirmed as more than just youthful passion?

Kasango: During the period I have just talked about, i.e. from about 1997 to the year 2007, my preaching engagements in local churches increased, especially in the churches where I was a member. This growth in preaching opportunities was coupled with a growing passion for the lost. Many brethren made positive comments about my call to ministry. All this, coupled with my own inward conviction, went a long way to seriously confirm my call.

Kasango and his wife, Mwape

Conrad: So, did the confirmation of this call immediately lead to you going into pastoral ministry?

Kasango: No. To begin with, I tried to deny what was clearly staring me in the face. In 2007, when we relocated to Lusaka, I wanted to rest from my preaching labours. I thought the change of environment would give me the opportunity to simply stop preaching, but this was not to be. Preaching engagements increased and reminders that I may be called to the preaching ministry became frequent and more intense.

I tried to reduce their impact by turning them into a joke, but it did not work. I remember literally avoiding some Christians for fear of being challenged over this important matter. I would usually shrug off this guilt and find some temporal solace when discussing this with my wife by saying, “These people who want me to go into pastoral ministry, why don’t they go themselves if they think it is that easy?” Clearly, I was simply resisting what I now believe was the voice of God speaking to my conscience.

Conrad: Come to think of it, how was your wife processing all this?

Kasango: My wife is a very sensible woman. She never doubted my calling but she was cautious on the side of timing. She wondered whether I had matured enough to handle the weight of such a high calling and the demands of being an under-shepherd in charge of precious souls. I also had my own reasons for hesitating. I knew my own weaknesses, and feared that I may fail and bring shame to the Lord’s name. There were issues of social security, and so I wanted to first secure a comfortable future. My family is still young and so I wanted to first finish building a house.

Kasango being ordained by the elders at Kabwata Baptist Church

Conrad: From what I know, you have not yet secured your comfortable future nor have you finished building your house. So, what made you take the plunge?

Kasango: I think it was interaction with our local Reformed pastors and good friends. The wise counsel and encouragement I got from them really helped. I remember a friend taking me out for lunch one day to discuss this important issue. The missions conferences at Kabwata Baptist Church also played a big role and greatly challenged me to make a decision.

Conrad: And when did this finally happen?

Kasango: In 2011. I told my wife and myself that I was not growing any younger and that, therefore, if I did not answer the call by the end of that year I would never do so. I do not know if you remember, but one evening in September or October that year, when coming together from an assignment, I asked you how you answered the call to pastoral ministry. During that discussion, I told you how I felt, that I sensed the call but the time to leave work was the big issue. You may not remember this, but you suggested that this could be presented as an item of prayer to the elders. However, you went further and suggested that in due season I should also share it with the church at large.

I felt that you were too quick in suggesting that I go that far. However, this helped me make the difficult decision. I had been lacking in faith and courage. Talking about my struggles with you as my pastor helped me cross the Rubicon. If I had not done so, I would have continued to suffer this horrible disease called indecision that has robbed many people from making tremendous progress in life. After the mind of the Lord was known through the church, this gave me peace and joy even when I knew I would part with some benefits that go with secular employment.

Kasango Kayombo preaching at a funeral

Conrad: I do not think you are the only one who has suffered such indecision for a long time. Using the benefit of hindsight, what would you say a person should do who is in “the valley of decision” and is at a loss what to do? 

Kasango: After going through this experience, I think the responsibility lies with the person feeling or sensing the call to ministry to share with his elders and good friends. Having said that, I also think the elders of local churches should be on the lookout to identify and provide counsel to men who they think are in this dilemma.

Conrad: Thank you, Kasango. I am sure many who are in “the valley of decision” will be helped to see the way ahead after reading the Lord’s dealings with you in this matter.

My Call to the Ministry—Pastor Emmanuel Sakala

[In this blog post, I continue with interviews of Zambian friends who left their jobs to become pastors in Reformed Baptist circles right here in our country. This time, we have the testimony of Pastor Emmanuel Sakala. I continue to pray that many who are in the valley of decision may read these interviews and be made to hold the arsenal of the gospel with both hands and join the gallant soldiers of the cross in the trenches of ministry in our country and beyond. Read on...]

Emmanuel Sakala with his beautiful wife, Margaret

Conrad: Emmanuel, tell us briefly about your doctrinal journey prior to your entry into the pastoral ministry.

Emmanuel: I got converted in 1980 in the Pentecostal and charismatic movement. My involvement can best be summarised in the language of the apostle Paul to the Galatians: “I was advancing in Judaism beyond many Jews of my own age and was extremely zealous for the traditions of my fathers” (Gal 1:14, NIV).  This went on until the mid 1980s when I was living in the Copperbelt town of Mufulira. New light dawned on me and resulted in a dramatic doctrinal shift. I came out of the Pentecostal and charismatic faith and instead embraced the Reformed faith. I later joined a newly established Baptist church of a Reformed persuasion, which was pioneered by a Dutch missionary. At this time I never accepted any responsibility related to teaching or preaching in the church. In fact, no thought ever crossed my mind of becoming a pastor at this juncture.

Conrad: How did you move from this situation where you never ever thought of becoming a pastor to the point of considering this as an option?

Emmanuel: In 1987, I found myself in the town of Kabwe, located in the Central Province of Zambia, through a work transfer. In this town, there was no Baptist church of a Reformed persuasion. In the providence of God we established one. This was done together with other brethren of like mind doctrinally who were also new in the town. I found myself thrust into the leadership of the church and became a teacher and a preacher contrary to my expectations. This was a decisive development for my character and for my future calling as a pastor. In the sequence of events, our new church called to the pastorate the same Dutch missionary I worked under in Mufulira. I worked very well with him so that in the end I became the de facto “assistant pastor” to the missionary. This development was positive for my training.

Conrad: I am given to understand that you moved towns quite a bit in the 1990s before you finally quit what is called secular employment to become a pastor. Tell us about that.

Emmanuel: Later in 1989, I got married and started a family. This in a way indirectly re-directed my desire from taking up the pastorate. This was also largely because no church extended a call to me even though I myself was ready and ripe.

In 1992, we moved to Luanshya. Again I found myself in a small local Baptist church. The name of the church was Luanshya Central Baptist Church established under the Urban Outreach Program of Lusaka Baptist Church. Before long, I assumed eldership duties and, hence, became again a de facto pastor. The church had two elders including myself. Therefore, our joining of the Luanshya church ignited once again the passion for the pastorate.

In 1993, we moved to the town of Kitwe after a change of employment. This move once again precipitated the establishment of another Reformed Baptist church under the auspices of Chingola Central Baptist Church and this took place in 1995. Again, I found myself as a de facto pastor.  Again it heightened my desire for the pastorate.

In August of 1995, we went back to Luanshya after a change of employment again. This time, I joined a company that was more stable and promising. This new job changed everything for me, especially my direction in life altogether. In this new Job, I found myself rising through the corporate ladder until I reached the managerial level. The rise was accompanied with fringe benefits, such as a big company house and a car. In short, my life was now defined in terms of remaining afloat in the corporate and secular world. In conjunction with this success, we as a family found ourselves diversifying in terms of sources of income. We acquired many pieces of land for farming and thus became part-time famers in the end. We also established various business ventures.  This is what changed our outlook in life and the previous desire to serve God in a full time capacity was shelved.

Conrad: How did the Lord move you from this state where you had literally shelved any desire to serve in the pastorate to where you are now?

Emmanuel: It was in 2000 that a number of changes occurred. Firstly, I started receiving invitations to preach in sister churches. This development was overwhelming. Thus, it was because of the invitations from sister churches that our minds were redirected to the call to full time ministry. Most of these churches were new and so we found ourselves providing leadership counsel to them whenever we visited them. One of the questions that would be put bluntly before me was why I was not yet serving in the full time ministry. Of course, I could neither give myself a church to pastor nor send myself into the mission field. I needed to be called and this was not forthcoming. This is where the problem was for me even though the brethren were oblivious to it. Secondly, the onset of the millennium also compelled my wife and me to make assessment of the extent of our involvement in the corporate world and also in the business world. We were convinced that our calling was not there. Se, we decided to disentangle ourselves from our depth of involvement in the moneymaking industry. It was a costly decision. We sold off our farms and our businesses and began to wait on the Lord to open a door into full time ministry.

It was in 2003 when a call finally came. I was asked to serve as missionary pastor. The call was extended to us from Central Baptist Church of Chingola (CBCC) to establish a church in the town of Chililabombwe. Kabwata Baptist Church (KBC) who pledged to back us financially also encouraged our entrance into full time work. In view of this support, I resigned my secular job to take up the call. This was in December 2003. From that time to date, we have been serving faithfully and with much contentment. 

The Evolving Life Of An African Columnist

From typewrite to iPad--What an evolution and journey!

I've been running columns in Zambian national weekly newspapers non-stop since 1990, i.e. for twenty-four years. At one time I was writing three per week. In two of them I have used a pseudonym to hide my identity but in one of them I have used my real name.

As I have thought about this, I have been gripped by the changes that have taken place between 1990 and today. If they had taken place overnight, they would have been shocking but they took place slowly. So, it is the panoramic view that is breathtaking.

The Typewriter

When I began writing for the National Mirror newspaper in 1990, I was using a typewriter. For my younger readers, a typewriter was a machine we once used for producing print-like characters on paper. It has since been buried with the dinosaur.

Apart from the energy one exerted to push the mechanical keys and to push back the paper roller after every line, the challenge was that you could not squeeze in thoughts into your composition that occurred to you afterwards. Often I also had to re-type the whole article because of some errors made while typing.

After typing the article, I used to get on my bicycle and ride across town to take it to the newspaper offices in time for my weekly deadline. At that time I was running two columns concurrently—one in my own name and the other in a pseudonym.

Being an itinerant preacher meant that sometimes I would have to consider the fact that the articles would be needed while I was away. Thankfully, there was the facsimile (shortened to fax) machine. If you are wondering what that is, it was a machine that scanned documents and transmitted them. It has also been buried with the dinosaur.

The fax machine was wonderful if I was travelling to foreign countries that were developed enough to have them. However, often my ministry took me to rural Zambia where they were rare. In such cases, I would write and deliver a number of articles to cover the period of my absence. This really stretched my creative capacity.

When all was done, the final agony was when I would read the article in the newspaper only to find serious typographical errors. This was because in those days the newspaper copy typists had to copy word-for-word and they were not impeccable. Sometimes the sentences would say the exact opposite of what I wanted to say. It was agony, I tell you!

The Personal Computer

Then the personal computer came to Zambia and I bade farewell to the typewriter. What a change this brought to my life! One of our deacons was running a project at the University of Zambia and had some five or six desktop computers in his office. He offered me the use of one at any time I wanted to use it.

This solved the problem of energy lost pushing the mechanical keys and the paper roller. It also solved the problem of failure to squeeze in thoughts and correct errors as I typed. At least now I could print only when the whole job was done.

However, it now meant that each time I needed to work on the columns I would cycle to the office of the deacon, work on my articles, and print them out. Then I would cycle to the newspaper premises to drop off the script before cycling back home. It was an agonizing triangle across town. At least it kept me healthy.

You can well understand how delighted I was when I bought my first personal computer in 1993. Its total hard drive was 24Mb and it cost me an arm and a leg. It took very serious master bedroom negotiations to finally clinch the deal to get a slice from our savings as a family in order to purchase one. Felistas told me afterwards that she thought I was being extravagant. A pastor with a personal computer!

Well, one of the main reasons for my "extravagance" was that I wanted to do my work as a columnist from my own home. So, I was now back to the situation where I could write the articles as soon as I was inspired. Sometimes inspiration came in the middle of the night. Also, now I only needed to cycle one way when delivering the articles.

Thankfully, before long, software for computers became available that enabled one to send a document from the computer using a telephone line and it arrived at its destination through the fax machine. That spelt the end of my cycling to the newspaper offices. I would only call to find out if the article had “arrived”. At that time, I thought that this was a great technological achievement.

The Electronic Mail

The next major blessing was the introduction of the electronic mail (shortened to email) in Zambia. At the touch of a button on my computer, my article could now arrive at the newspaper offices without me even leaving my seat. Although the fax machine did this, this time the sub-editors only needed to “cut and paste” my articles when they arrived in their inbox. That spelt the end of the typographical errors caused by copy typists.

At one time the editor for the newspaper with whom I was writing the two columns said to me, "You should see the difficulties we have in re-writing some of the articles we get from our columnists. But for you, even when I'm going away, I just tell the sub-editors, 'When Pastor Mbewe's articles come, just cut and paste!'"

My itinerant ministry still presented a challenge because up to that point my computer was a desktop. You can well understand my joy when the laptop computer became an option. I did not hesitate to begin bedroom negotiations and before long I had bought my first laptop, which weighed a ton but was at least portable.

Since then, I have worked on reducing the weight of my laptop so that I can carry it around more easily and write my articles at the moment of inspiration. I now carry an iPad with me. My wife—yes, you read it correctly—recently urged me to buy one. It took one year of persuasion before I finally yielded in March 2012. Now, I am very glad I did.

So, as I pause on the eve of a quarter of a century of being a weekly columnist in my country, almost all my initial challenges are behind me. I can now compose my articles anywhere, even while on a queue in the bank. And I can now do it without exerting any physical energy and without re-writing the whole article. I can now send my articles from the comfort of my home or wherever I am on the planet at the touch of a button, and it will be published as it was written. Let’s face it, compared to the early nineties, this is paradise!