25 October will be a memorable day for Christlike Church as we ordained our brothers Kondwani N’goma and Anthony Zuze to join me in shepherding God’s people at Christlike.
I came to know Kondwani more than a decade ago. We share the same home city, Mzuzu. I have been mentoring him since his college days at African Bible College, Malawi. During these ten years I have witnessed his love for Christ grow. He has consistently shown commitment to the Lord and to the preaching of the gospel.
While he was at African Bible College, I shared with him the vision of planting a healthy church in Mzuzu City. Before he was employed by the government and posted outside the city, we were conducting a Bible study together. The vision of Christlike Church grew from this Bible study.
Years later, when we planted the church, he decided to worship with us although he was living 71 Kilometers from Mzuzu City. The church chose Kondwani to be one of her pastors because of his love for Christ, demonstrated in his life, family, ministry, and messages. The decisions he has made, including traveling a long distance to worship with Christlike, and his career choices, are motivated by his love for the Lord, sound doctrine, and God’s church.
I came to know Anthony three years ago through Newton Chilungulo, a fellow pastor at Reformation Church in Lilongwe, Malawi’s capital city. At that time Anthony was studying at Christ Seminary in South Africa to plant a church in Mzuzu. Newton suggested that he join me at Christlike Church since we had the same vision and doctrinal convictions. While in South Africa, Anthony talked to his wife Katie about attending Christlike Church. Since his arrival, Anthony has been a great help and encouragement to me and Christlike Church.
The most outstanding quality about Anthony is his childlike commitment to Christ. He is a man committed to living a life that honors Christ. His zeal for the Lord and ministry is infectious. He is humble too. For the past two years, he has submitted to my leadership and served alongside me. Ministering to the flock has been easier for me with him and Kondwani.
Anthony, Kondwani, and I have bonded well. We have moved beyond mere ministry. We are able to speak into one another’s lives, including our private lives. We are more than fellow ministers. We have become friends. The church too has been excited to have these brothers join me. I look forward to more years of Christ-honoring living and serving together.
