UCZ Synod United Church of Zambia
The movement was founded in South Africa in the Methodist Church in Southern Africa in the year 1912.
It was popularly known as ‘Amadodana’ which means the Men’s Organization. (Reference: YMG: Minutes of the meeting: 1912).
In 1928 it was extended to Zimbabwe (formerly known as Southern Rhodesia) by the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ).
While there its name was changed from ‘Amadodana’ to Men’s Christian Union (MCU).
Its uniform was a small red sash which was worn across the shoulders with the letter “MCU” written on it. (Reference: MCZ -MCU Article of 2013).
As for Zambia, MCU was found in the Methodist Church in Northern Rhodesia, now the United Church of Zambia (UCZ).
It was first established at Matero Methodist Church in Lusaka (the current UCZ Matero Congregation) in 1957 and the Minister in-charge was Rev. Levison Muchunga.
Mr. Thomas Makwabarara from Zimbabwe introduced the movement and trained some Christian men as members of MCU.
Their uniform was a red sash with letters “MCU” written on it and a brown badge.
After this a Committee was formed and its composition was as follows:
• Mr. Thomas Makwabarara (Chairman)
• Mr. Finas Mulambo (Vice Chairman)
• Mr. Matandarizo (Secretary)
• Mr. Daniel Ilunga (Vice Secretary)
• Mr. Thom Chituka (Treasurer)
• Mr. Peter Nyirongo (Committee Member and others)(Source of Information: D I: 2014).
The purpose of the movement was to encourage male communicant members to spread the Gospel, to pray and hold Bible studies together in Christian fellowship and strengthen each other in their daily life, remembering the words of St. Paul saying, “I pray that out of his glorious riches he may strengthen you with power through his spirit in your inner being, so that Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being rooted and established in love, may have power…” (Ephesians 3:16-18 a NIV Bible)
In 1960 a branch of MCU was opened at St. Paul’s Methodist Church, Kabwata (now the UCZ St. Paul’s Congregation).
The Minster in-charge was Rev. Peter Musgrove. Mr. Peter Nyirongo and other MCU members from Matero used to go to St. Paul’s to train men about MCU.
This was followed by a Methodist Conference held in Myooye, Mumbwa in April 1961 where those who were trained were badged such as Messrs. Davison B. Gondwe, Austin Nsopelo, Masnzi and others.
Again, their uniform was a red sash with the letters “MCU” written on it and a brown badge. As for the Copperbelt Presbytery, MCU was first introduced at Chiwepala UCZ in Chingola in 1967 by Mr. Peter Nyirongo from Lusaka, who went there for workIn 1970 the MCU Group was opened at Chawama UCZ (now Busokololo Congregation).
From here it spread to other UCZ Congregations in Lusaka such as Marapodi (St. Bartholomew), Chilenje (St. Mark’s), Kanyama (St. Philips’s), Mtendere (St. John’s) and others. (Source of Information: DBG: 2015).
Moving out of Lusaka, MCU was established at Keembe Mission Station of the Methodist Church in Central Presbytery from 1960 to 1964 by Rev. Solomon K. Makumba.
The MCU members also wore a red sash and a brown badge as uniform. From here, the MCU was established at Chitambo Mission in the same presbytery by Rev. Nsaku Simon Mutambo from 1971 to 1973.
He was moved to Mbereshi Mission in Luapula Presbytery where he served for two years and transferred to Copperbelt Presbytery in 1976.
While there, he continued to support the establishment of this movement. (Source of information: JMC & RMM: 2018.).
In referring to the change in the name, the Synod that sat in 1975 approved to change it to Men’s Christian Fellowship (MCF)(Reference; SE/75/13 of April, 1975).
Note that Lusaka was under Central Presbytery at that time until 1st January, 1980 when it was granted presbytery status(Source of information: BMC -2018).
After this, the movement became popular and spread quickly to all Copperbelt towns.
As a result, its growth was higher than Lusaka from where it originated. In view of this, Rev. N.S. Mutambo was appointed as Presbytery Chairman of this movement (Currently Presbytery MCF Convener)(Source of information: DBG: 2015 and Reference; SE/76 page 181).
Furthermore, the Synod sitting of 1976 approved that MCF groups and all its Committees be established in all the UCZ Courts (Congregation, Consistory, Presbytery and Synod) (Reference; SE/76/82 (b) and SE/76/82 (c).
After the Synod MCF Group was formed, the first Constitution was drawn upon the recommendations of the MCF Group.
Thereafter, in 1988 it was resolved by Synod that this Constitution be called the MCF Rules and Regulation because it is a group under the UCZ which already has a Constitution.
Madodana!!!
