Four12 news image for 'Zeal Alone is Not Enough' about training up leaders in Zambia

Zeal Alone is Not Enough

‘Desire without knowledge is not good, and whoever makes haste with his feet misses his way.’ (Proverbs 19:2)

In March 2016, I had a strong impression that filled my mind continually. After it began and persisted, I knew it was from the Lord.  It was to do with the fact that I was meeting many African pastors in sub-Saharan Africa who knew and loved the Lord, but who had not been equipped in the basics of ministry or New Testament doctrine.

We realised that we needed a Four12 base training facility in Lusaka, Zambia, which could be central to most countries and other large neighbouring cities. This led me to approach a very good friend in Joshua Generation Church in Cape Town, who, after hearing of the need, believed the Lord wanted him to finance the project. This he did, providing a substantial ‘gift’ to meet the financial requirements of the base setup.

The result was that we purchased some ‘Wendy houses’, beds, bedding, tables etc., with Arnold Nel (Four12 partnering elder) overseeing the project in Lusaka. These units were set up on a property leased by a Four12 church in Lusaka, and the training of our first group of 8 pastoral folk from surrounding areas began in April 2017.

Gifted teachers and leaders from Four12 partnering churches outside of Zambia flew in and assisted in teaching the material provided for these pastors and it was a huge success. We thank God for all across our Four12 Partners (especially Joshua Generation Church and Oxygen Life Church, who have been a huge help in sending teachers up to Zambia) who are helping to deposit into the lives of these precious folk, who now, as a result, have both zeal and equipping.

So it went on as we all talked through old traditions and modern heresies that face them as the church here in Zambia.

Cliff Hiscock (from Joshua Generation Church, who is overseeing these training times ‘on the ground’ in Lusaka) sent us some feedback on the first training time in Zambia:

After much anticipation, we started the training of the first 5 couples on the 3rd May 2017. We taught on the church, what a believer is, the Kingdom of God, how the church relates to the Kingdom, basic essential practices of true believers, faith and aspects of faith…to mention a few! The intention has been to not only teach and train the pastors and their wives, but also to facilitate discussion to help them implement true, authentic Christianity back in the communities they come from.

It was wonderful to be asked the many ‘hard’ questions that reflect the reality of living in the communities that they are part of, for example:

  • What must a man do if he wants to be part of the church and he has more than one wife?
  • How do we tithe if we don’t receive an income?
  • What do we do if a leader is in unrepentant sin?

So it went on as we all talked through old traditions and modern heresies that face them as the church here in Zambia. Another harsh reality in Zambia is Malaria, a very real killer that the Zambian people are faced with, and also a reminder for us all that time is short and the church in Zambia needs to reflect the King to a dying world. The harvest is ripe – ‘and he said to them, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’, and we have a unique opportunity to raise up leaders and impact the church in Zambia.

Arnold and Gisela Nel have been very generous in allowing us to use their office facility for the training times and outstanding at coordinating the construction of Wendy houses (little wooden houses), extra ablutions and organising the food for the couples being trained.

Therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out labourers into his harvest’, and we have unique opportunity to raise up leaders and impact the church in Zambia.

From Left to Right: Oscar & Namasiku Chikokwa ; Isaac & Jelita Mjumila; Lewis & Eunice Kaunda; Francis & Mavies Bwanga; Micheal Chomba (absent: Esther his wife) ; Davidson & Flourence Phiri
From Left to Right: Oscar & Namasiku Chikokwa; Isaac & Jelita Mjumila; Lewis & Eunice Kaunda; Francis & Mavies Bwanga; Micheal Chomba (absent: Esther his wife); Davidson & Flourence Phiri

We are incredibly grateful for all our Partners coming alongside to equip these precious leaders. Gary and Sue Kieswetter from our Partners in the Isle of Man are looking to relocate to Zambia for part of the year to assist with the Four12 work into Africa and have had a bit of complications in applying for their missionary visa – please pray that they get it soon!

We will continue to raise up leaders this year and will be training the next group of 8 people during May and still have another 3 months of training this year. If you are able to assist for a week or maybe two with the equipping of these pastors, please contact Four12. We invite leaders with a teaching gift to come and help equip!

For more info visit: https://www.archive.four12global.com/outreaches/zambia-outreach-leaders-training-2017/

William and his wife, Pam, started ministering in 1980 and served on eldership in Joshua Generation Church in South Africa from 2010. William was a key apostle who ministered and taught across the global Four12 field of partnering churches. He joined his beloved Saviour in 2021 and is sorely missed.

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