Our sister church in Zambia celebrates 125 years of grace

Article written by Mariëtte Odendaal

Kuunika M’umdima – Light in the darkness

“This celebration has sent a clear message worldwide: as long as the Church of Christ is obedient to the calling and mandate we have in Jesus Christ, the unity of the Body of Christ will become increasingly visible.”

Dr William Zulu
General Secretary: RCZ

During the weekend of 6 to 8 July this year, the flames of joy burned brightly at our sister church in Zambia, the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ), as they celebrated their 125th anniversary.

But what is the story behind the origin of this remarkable sister church of ours?

Chief Mpezeni was the eldest son of the Ngoni leader, Zwangendaba, who in 1835 led his people out of present-day KwaZulu-Natal in South Africa to escape the warring Zulu king, Shaka. The group moved northward and eventually settled in northeastern Zambia.

After Chief Mpezeni requested the Dutch Reformed Church mission station at Mvera in Malawi to send missionaries to this part of Zambia, the first envoys, including the well-known evangelist Lukasi Chingondo from Mvera, were sent to northeastern Zambia.

Since the Dutch Reformed Church in the Western Cape could not support this new mission field, Chief Mpezeni’s request was referred to the Dutch Reformed Church Free State in 1898.

The deputed Dutch Reformed Church missionaries from the Free State Synod, Revs. PJ Smit and JM Hofmeyr, 125 years ago, never could have dreamed that their first church service would grow into a church with more than 1 million members.

This humble service took place on Sunday, 5 July 1899, under a giant Mpundu tree just outside the village of Mgwero. Mgwero means “beginning,” which foretold a rich symbolic meaning in this context.

More about the history of the RCX

The RCZ today consists of 19 presbyteries with 200 congregations that serve 2,000 preaching points with more than 1 million members. The church is also responsible for managing numerous schools, hospitals, and other specialised ministries that promote a holistic ministry. The RCZ has also established a university, Justo Mwale University, where their theological students, among others, receive their training.

We learned more about the RCZ from their general secretary, Dr William Zulu.

William, you have been in this leadership position of the RCZ for quite a few years. We also hear that your church has grown phenomenally over the past 125 years and is doing remarkable work in Zambia. Of course, there are many challenges as well, right?

“Yes! Our biggest challenge is to maintain our RCZ identity amid false teachings and misleading prosperity theologies. As a church, we must also remain relevant by being faithful to our traditions.

“Most of our congregations do not have church buildings; something that is expensive to build and maintain. Some of our congregations have also failed to plan maintenance work for their buildings.

“The church also does not have sufficient investments to support the growing number of synodical staff and congregations. This naturally causes many problems, such as the lack of a pension fund, resulting in our retired ministers being unable to rely on an income after retirement.

“At some congregations, language is a barrier because the ministers cannot speak the local people’s language.

“Some ministries have invested very well in women and children, but the Men’s Ministry is still struggling to grow.

“Some of the literature that our church uses for catechists does not meet the expectations of our youth. Modern literature also cannot be obtained due to the cost.”

Nevertheless, you celebrated in grand style on July 7. What were the highlights, William?

“It was an unforgettable experience. This occasion was celebrated with great splendour in all RCZ congregations nationwide.

“The highlight of the celebration was in Lusaka at the Agricultural Showgrounds. More than 3,000 RCZ members attended the function, with our youth boys’ and girls’ brigades adding to the festivity. The event began with a parade along the Great East Road, accompanied by the Zambian police.

“The president of the Republic of Zambia, Mr Hakainde Hichilema, was the guest of honour at this colourful event. From the Dutch Reformed Church Free State Synod, Dr Nico Mostert (Director of Partners in Witness), Mr Adriaan de Ruiter (Head of Administration), Rev. De la Harpe le Roux (Director of Diaconia), and Dr Bertus Cilliers (minister of Rietfontein) were present.

“Dr. Nico Mostert brought a greeting message on behalf of the Dutch Reformed Church to the RCZ, and he also delivered the sermon on Sunday with Luke 18:17-24 as the scripture reading. Luke 8:22 is inscribed on the monument at Mgwero. It reads: ‘One day Jesus said to his disciples, “Let us go over to the other side of the lake.” So, they got into a boat and set out.’ This scripture passage was the motivation text for the first missionaries who initiated working there from the Malawian side, such as evangelist Chingondo from Mvera.”

William, what would you say is the significance of this celebration, and what does it symbolise about our unity in Christ in Africa?

What will the RCZ focus on in the future?

“The RCZ aims to remain relevant and continue to live out our motto, Kuunika M’umdima. This means being the Light in the darkness.”

What is your dream for the RCZ, William?

“That the RCZ will flourish as a Bible-based church in all areas. The Church must always be vigilant against false teachings; something that could severely damage our good reputation in Zambia.”

Dr Mostert greeting message

Dr Mostert’s greeting message includes the following wish for the RCZ: “May the RCZ continue to play a decisive role in Zambia as a church with a prophetic voice; as a church that follows God’s calling and makes the presence of God known to the people of Zambia.”