In Zambia, a landlocked country in southern Africa with more than 70 different languages, owning a Bible in one’s own language is considered a rare and treasured privilege. They are expensive and hard to come by – in fact, Pastor Kebby from the village of Lukulu, explained that the cost of a single Bible is greater than the average monthly income.
Thankfully, Harvesters was able to respond! Through faithful support, our partnership with Biblica and the dedicated volunteers who delivered them, we distributed 3,500 Bibles to newly planted churches.
Faithful Before the Word in Hand
What moved us deeply was that, even before receiving these Bibles, local pastors have been faithfully obeying the Great Commission. Without copies of God’s Word – or replying on torn and tattered ones – they have continued to evangelise lost souls, plant churches and disciple new believers.
In Mongu, Pastor Armon Makai awaited us, surrounded by the Student Pastors of the 20 churches they have planted. They were overjoyed to receive Bibles to strengthen them in their faith and ministry.
In Mumbeji, Hub Leader Pastor Thompson Kaluwaji, planted a church 10 months ago, which already has 130 members – including an ex-witch doctor who has surrendered his life to Jesus. Praise the Lord for the work He is doing in the hearts of many!
In Lukulu, Pastor Micheal Libala has planted seven churches and is now discipling Student Pastors to lead them. They base their discipleship on Acts 2:42, devoting themselves to teaching, fellowship and eating and praying together. “I’m doing this job because Jesus died for people,” says Pastor Libala. According to Pastor Kebby, the Hub Leaders from Lukulu have already planted 150 churches in the area – all without adequate access to Bibles.
From One to the Many
One special moment exemplified the joy and momentum that this Bible placement has brought to the Zambian pastors.
Part of our team was driving along a remote track that ended in a narrow footpath. There they met an excited young man surrounded by people – and in his hand was a brand-new Bible.
He was a Student Pastor who had received his very first Bible that same morning from the other half of our team. Eager not to miss his opportunity, he and several other Student Pastors had slept in a field outside the church in the remote village of Watopa, waiting for the delivery.
Too excited to wait until he returned to his home village more than 20kms away, he was already stopping to read and share the Word with everyone he met along the path. It was Isaiah 55:11 in action – God’s Word accomplishing the purpose for which He sent it!
From a Bible handed to one Student Pastor came the Word spreading to many in this rural and forgotten Zambian community.
We Rejoice
And so, we rejoice with the people of Zambia and thank God for His faithfulness to His Church. And we thank you for your partnership and prayers so that pastors – who have been faithfully planting and discipling even without Bibles – can now hold God’s Word in their hands and share it with others.
May we, too, keep marching in the knowledge of God’s promise that we will go out in joy and be led forth in peace and that the mountains and hills will burst out into song before us – Isaiah 55:12.
