Publish the Word!
It has been an incredible year filled with many blessings and opportunities as we serve in Zambia’s Eastern Province. In the city, we’ve reached more people with the Gospel than ever before! Our print shop has been busy around the clock! This has been the highlight of the month. In April, we purchased 22 reams of paper, printed 24 theological books and 35 discipleship lessons, and published 11,500 tracts, all costing K16,000 ($900). It’s been an expensive endeavor but well worth the time and money spent to get the Word of God in the hands of the people.
Please pray that we will one day have our own press! Weekly services at Hope Bible Baptist Church of Chipata have seen a significant increase in attendance, and our new small group Bible studies have been warmly received. We’re excited to see many individuals and families coming together to study God’s word and grow in their faith.
The village ministry at Chiyembekezo has also experienced remarkable growth with the rainy season behind us. Our team has been building strong relationships with local leaders and community members, allowing us to provide much-needed theological resources and support to those who need it most. We have also seen a noticeable increase in participation here and have been able to offer additional Biblical training to church leaders. Registration for our upcoming Bible school is underway, and we’re looking forward to further empowering God’s people in sound doctrine. Overall, we’re so grateful for the continued growth of both Chiyembekezo and Hope Chipata!
We’re blessed to have such a dedicated team of believers Stateside working alongside us through their prayers and support. Pray for us as we continue to preach the Gospel throughout this Sub-Saharan nation! Perhaps God is calling you to get more involved, and you’re considering what He would have you do? Don’t waste your life on the cares and comforts of the world, fighting the cause for which you were created. Surrender your life to Jesus, and don’t look back.
A Little Letter From Lisa:
Switching up the menu because I found “friends” in the rice is something I’m somewhat used to. So when my dinner plans last week were impacted by infested rice, I barely skipped a beat. In those moments of handling weevils as a matter of course, I remembered how hard they were for me to get used to when I first moved here. I rejoiced how nice it was to “have gotten past” that. But the following day, when I reached on top of the fridge for some eggs to make breakfast, I was reminded that maybe I’m not as hardy as I’d like to think! Instead of grabbing eggs for breakfast, my hand came down from the egg carton full of wriggling maggots! After several rounds of hand (and arm!) washing later, I learned never to get overconfident in the strength of my stomach. Ha ha!
Reaching this Generation:
We’ve been talking about opening a booth at the Tuesday Market for years. This gathering place is the local “shopping mall” of our region, where people come in from every village. You can buy food, get your bicycle fixed, source farming supplies, and now …learn about God! We’re engaging people on multiple fronts. Those in the tent field questions or register men for Bible school. Outside, two teams rotate between open-air preaching, broadcasting the salvation message for all to hear, and those walking the market with fliers containing the Gospel and information on the church. It’s a great setup, and we’re excited to see what God will do from our efforts!
The work in the Village:
Every year our village ministry accelerates when the rainy season comes to an end. From May through November, the farmers in the village are freed up, and we take advantage of this time to schedule many ministry activities like conferences, Bible studies, and theological block classes. Our goal is to educate and equip God’s people so they can help others in their communities. It’s a never-ending process because so much tradition undermines God’s truth. Sadly, most people don’t want to submit to God’s Word, and even those who start following Jesus often fall away. But this isn’t unique to our village or even to Africa. It’s part of the human condition. The Bible reminds us that God calls all men everywhere to repent. As Jesus said, “Strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.” It’s hard work, but whether in your hometown or in the village of Zambia, let’s commit to the cause of Christ, and while you’re at it, would you pray for the believers of Chiyembekezo?
Paper and Printing:
This has been a month of printing! We’ve spent nearly $1,000 on Gospel tracts made on a good ‘ole fashioned photocopier! The written word is a powerful tool used throughout history to convey messages and ideas. From ancient scrolls to modern-day books, the written word can inform, inspire and even change the course of history. One of the most effective ways to speak God’s truth is by distributing the written Word. Pieces of paper may seem insignificant, but they have the power to reach large numbers of people and create real change as God works in hearts of minds. One of our goals is to buy a digital press to print theological materials for our city and village ministries and even offer resources to those in the surrounding nations of Sub-Saharan Africa. Until then, we’re using the tools we have!
Hope Bible Baptist Church – Chipata:
April has definitely been a whirlwind for Hope Chipata! We’ve been working tirelessly and have achieved so much! The early days of a church plant are always busy but so rewarding. Even now, as we lay the foundation for this church, we’re busy discipling believers and look forward to when they will have a more active role in the church. This month we held our first Lord’s supper as we celebrated the resurrection of Christ, and we also secured our church registration! Seeing the positive change we’re making in the community is truly encouraging. We’re a small group, but as the old hymn goes, “little is much when God is in it!” Please keep us in your thoughts and prayers as we strive to spread the Words of Jesus Christ and nurture new believers.
Subscribe to our Podcast:
Have you subscribed to our podcast, Let’s Talk Missions? Join us as we review the great commission from the vantage point of the American church. How can we get involved, and what should we know? Stay updated by LIKING our Facebook page or by following us on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, Amazon / Audible, Pandora, Podbean, Google Podcasts, or wherever podcasts are found!
How Can You Get Involved?
People value working with us at Hope Zambia because of our good name and hands on experience in the field. We’ve earned the trust and confidence of many people, churches and organizations throughout the last 22 years in Zambia. From our time with mission teams and college internships to making sure donations are secure and wisely used, we take our job seriously. Would you consider joining #TEAMHOPE in financially partnering with us as we minister the Gospel in Eastern Zambia?
Leave a Comment