The Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) president, Dr Harrington Simui Akombwa, recently visited Zambia on his tour of duty, where he attended the camp meetings. Dr Akombwa was accompanied by his wife sister Monde and he was joined by his counterpart, the South Zambia Conference (SZC) President Pastor Gladwin Mang’watu who was also accompanied by his wife, Shepherdess Mang’watu.
On arrival at Sedongo, the two Presidents were accorded a thunderous welcome with a powerful Guard of Honour mounted in their honour by the Adventist Youths, the Dorcas workers and Adventist Men Organization (the AMO). It was a very colourful occasion which was attended by hundreds of people from different Churches in the district.
During the week of his stay, Dr Akombwa presented power-packed sermons expounded mainly from the Camp meeting theme. The main text was taken from 1 Peter 2:9-10 which reads “But you are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light; who once were not a people but now the people of God, who had not obtained mercy but now you have obtained mercy.”
There were nearly seven thousand adults in attendance excluding children who were numbering close to two thousand. The Camp meeting theme was “I Will go, Be God’s Witness,” while Hymn No. 79 in local language was used as the theme song. The meeting which started on 20th of August, ended very well on 26th August 2023. Before the end of the whole program, on Friday the 25th of August, 87 souls who had surrendered their lives to Jesus Christ during the week were baptised right at the Camp site.
The main emphasis of this year’s Camp meeting was to encourage people of all nations to take part in witnessing the Gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ everywhere for the imminent coming of our Lord and Saviour. Dr Akombwa told the gathering that, it’s our duty as believers, to take the Gospel to the Gentiles and if we fail, God Himself is going to bring them in the fold. Dr Akombwa challenged the church members and visitors at large, that we should never discourage God’s people from taking the Gospel. He said and I quote: “many people are entangled in sin out there, therefore as the called children of God, it is our duty to go and bring them when we get back home to our respective Churches.”
Pastor Mang’watu handled various lessons ranging from Evangelism, Stewardship and Family Life which rejuvenated the minds of all campers, while Elder Cosmas Chilapa from Monze had lessons on Publishing. There was also Pastor Daniel Hamunyangwa from zone 2 of the same District who did morning devotions. It was indeed a memorable event of its kind being visited by SID president for the first time in the history of Kasukwe and the church members returned to their homes rejuvenated and ready to share the gospel with their families and neighbours and community at large.
Article: Ezra C. Muntanga & Noel Sibanda
