UCZ Synod United Church of Zambia
KITWE: 17/01/2016 – Kitwe’s Nkana Stadium popularly known as “Pacilata “the home of “Kalampa”. The facility is mostly characterised by shouts of soccer fans but on this day it was replaced by songs of praise and ululations. This was when the United Church of Zambia had its Golden Jubilee Closing celebration.
In his opening speech, the United Church of Zambia Synod Bishop His Grace the Rev Mutale Mulumbwa called upon all the members of the United Church of Zambia both clergy and laity to develop a sense of ownership, teamwork and obedience. He said this in his welcome address to the President of the Republic of Zambia, His Excellency Mr Edgar Chagwa Lungu in Kitwe.
Addressing scores of Christian gathered in the stadium, Bishop Mulumbwa welcomed all the worshippers to the joyous, yet solemn service in which the UCZ was thanking God for his unfailing love and care over the past 50 years. He thus invited all the worshippers to a time of serious reflection. Quoting from Joel 2:28 – 29, “and afterward, I will pour out my spirit on all people. Your sons and daughters will prophesy, your old men will dream dreams, your young men will see visions. Even on my servants, both men and women, I will pour out my spirit in those days.”
He said “I believe God is in our time calling the United Church of Zambia to reflect on the past 50 years and dream together what God has for us in the next 50 years leading to the centenary.”
Bishop Mulumbwa invited each member to a time of envisioning and dreaming, but he was quick to mention that as much it was imperative to dream and envision, envisioning and dreaming is one thing but realisation of those visions and dreams is another. He said that realisation demands for a sense of ownership, team work and obedience. These three principles are critical to the growth of the church.
He added that the next church calls for a collective pledge to God. He called upon all worshippers to totally surrender themselves to doing nothing but God’s will. He further reiterated that individualism had no place in the next 50 years.
He expressed happiness on behalf of the United Church of Zambia to see the President in attendance. He said most times the church leaders would like to meet him to discuss matters of public interest but it had been challenging.
