Ministry trip to Zambia – May 2025

To understand the context of my work in Africa, one must be familiar with the prophecy held out by the Swahili speaking churches of the Great Lakes Region. It was prophesied by the early church of the area that, although there would be much tribulation, the resulting scattered church would reach to all corners of the world to bring about revival amongst the nations. The lowliest of communities, the oppressed people of eastern Congo, Rwanda, and Burundi, would bring Jesus to all peoples. My mission is to support, encourage, teach, counsel, and commission pastors, leaders, and missionaries from the Great Lakes area of central Africa in order to fulfill this prophetic future. My work in Africa and around the world is to see this prophecy of a global advance of the gospel brought about today in countries like Canada, USA, Australia, across Europe and around the world. God is working in these places, just as He is working in places like Beechy, Woodrow, Canora, Wynyard, Dalmeny, Saskatoon, and Regina. I hope this message encourages you toward faithful and fervent support of mission in your community and into the world.

I began this particular ministry trip on April 30th, landing in Lusaka, Zambia on May 1st. As is the custom in the evangelical churches of Africa, I was greeted there by a party of 13 pastors who welcomed me with great joy and many hugs. My primary point of connection with the larger Free Pentecostal Church of Zambia was on Saturday, May 3rd through a leadership conference, followed by a city wide assembly on Sunday the 4th. As you can see by the photo included in this report, well over 1000 people were in attendance on Sunday. This gathering is made up of Zambian citizens as well as refugees from areas around the Great Lakes fleeing military and political persecution. It was wonderful to once again hear worship and praise from various church choirs in our uniquely African tradition. I spoke words of encouragement and faith while Bishop David Batenzi from Tanzania preached the sermon.  After the conference assembly, I held a meeting among the gathered city church leadership to address some challenges they are currently experiencing and to encourage their work by helping see past their individual needs toward the greater good of the gospel in Zambia.

Over the course of my time in Zambia, we drove more than 3000 KM’s to reach the rural churches in every direction from Lusaka. It was certainly not easy, but as one of the Pastors offered me his car, we were able to travel safely and inexpensively. In the two weeks we traveled across the country I preached on 9 different occasions and added many individual visits and sessions of counsel, teaching, and encouragement. I can resonate with Pastor Phil on how he travels every weekend to minister to our conference churches and, of course, to a small degree with Christ when he simply needed a break from ministering to his disciples and the surrounding community. I was, quite definitely, very tired after those days.

On May 22nd, I began my return journey with a “pit-stop” in Hamilton, ON to ordain a Pastor who is planting a new church in that community. Evidence of the prophecy of the oppressed and scattered refugees bringing the gospel to the world . . . . even to Canada. I met with Pastor Doug Hiebert of Multiply in Hamilton where my wife Beata also joined us. We were delighted to ordain this Pastor and have Doug bring words of message and greeting from Multiply.

Finally, on May 27th, after being away from home for 4 weeks, I arrived back in Regina. I took some good days of rest before rejoining my work of leading Missionary Pentecostal MB Church here in Regina and resuming my regular zoom-based nightly teaching with leaders around the world. Though this was a challenging itinerary, please don’t be afraid to ask God if you might be called to accompany me on such a trip. God provides strength and grace as needed and our brothers and sisters in Africa are always eager to meet more of the SKMB family as opportunities arise. I’d love to hear from anyone who might be interested in joining me on any of my fall or spring travels.

I’ll close simply by thanking all you who are regularly praying for myself and this Global Gospel Advance ministry and providing financial resources as God is calling you to.  God is fulfilling His prophecy, and the Gospel is going forward in every corner of the earth through the scattered peoples of Africa.

Here are two pictures from the Lusaka assembly to help you appreciate what I’m sharing . . . . the first is of me speaking, the second is the congregation.

Blessings in Christ,

Pastor Athanase Chiruza – SKMB Global Gospel Advance