For many years the Reformed Baptists of Zambia have desired to establish a church in Northern Province.  That desire is finally being fulfilled through missionary pastor Joshua Lungu.  Joshua is a native Zambian who spent the last several years in South Africa.  He served in Mowbray Baptist Church in Cape Town while completing a degree in Biblical studies and theology.  Joshua then completed a pastoral internship at Kabwata Baptist Church in Lusaka, Zambia, where he felt the call to go to Northern Province.  Kabwata Baptist overwhelmingly voted to send him to Kasama, the provincial capital, and Joshua was ordained as their missionary pastor in December 2016.

Testimony of Conversion

I was born on 28th September 1973, in Kitwe, Zambia. My mother passed away in 2007 and I have never seen my father. I was born into a religious family. Every Sunday as a family we would go to church (the United Church of Zambia in Kitwe). I believed that going to church was what made one a Christian. My other deception was my misunderstanding of baptism. In 1988, I got baptised for wrong reasons, without being born again, and in the wrong manner, by sprinkling.

Barely a year later, in December 1989, I went to a Youth Conference, where by God’s grace I repented of my sins and placed my trust in the Lord Jesus Christ as my Savior and Lord and received His forgiveness. In 1990 I left Kitwe to do senior secondary schooling in Livingstone. Unfortunately I had no one to help me as a new convert. This led to backsliding or living a double standard life.

Thank God, in June 1992 in Livingstone, God again opened my eyes graciously. With His help I returned to Him whole-heartedly. From that moment I leant that I cannot live a life of Christianity without totally relying upon God’s grace and His love for me. When I comprehensively understood the true meaning of baptism, I was baptised by immersion in December 2001. I now live in dependence on divine grace, to follow Christ and to serve Him forever in the fellowship of His church, as I eagerly wait for His second coming.

In 2001 I studied church planting in Mufulira at Agape International church-planting school. Having completed that course, I joined the Revival Christian Center Church where I worked as an assistant pastor for the year 2002. In 2003 I worked as a farm manager in Ndola. After receiving acceptance to study in South Africa in September 2003 I resigned as farm manager. In January 2004 I went to South Africa, where I spent the next 10 years studying the Bible. I also served part-time with Mowbray Baptist Church in Cape Town since 2009, while studying for a masters degree in Biblical studies and theology.

Call to Ministry

I sensed my calling after my second encounter with God in June 1992, as explained above. I had this strong desire to tell others of what the Lord Jesus Christ had done for me. Like what Peter said in Acts,

“For we cannot help speaking about what we have seen and heard.”

I used every opportunity to speak to my fellow pupils about Jesus Christ. Upon completion of my senior secondary school I embarked on outreach and evangelism in my community in New Ndeke, Kitwe.
With God’s help we saw revival among the youths in our church, especially those belonging to the Youth Christian Fellowship. I worked with the Ndeke youth Christian fellowship for 7 years from 1993 to 2000.

It was in this group that I discovered my gifting in leadership, pastoral ministry, preaching and teaching. I also found great delight in serving in the church in any capacity. I preached in the church and at conferences, crusades, and camp meetings. As early as 1993, I had a great sense of calling for pastoral ministry. I wanted to go to Bible school right then, but my mother declined, because for her I was still young for ministry. As stated above, I only started my theological studies in 2001. I had to wait for God’s timing for seven years. I have enjoyed serving in the Christian ministry ever since I sensed the call in 1993. I have been convinced and persuaded that this is what God wants me to do and I cannot do otherwise.

Right from the inception of my calling it was so amazing to note that many people including my family members confirmed this call in me. My mother and other people conferred a title of ‘pastor’ on me before I started pastoral ministry. Wherever I have gone and served in any capacity of Christian ministry, this calling has always been confirmed by my colleagues in ministry and the people. I strongly believe that it is not about me, but God’s work in my life. It is also because of His plan and purpose for my life. I agree with Paul, where he says,

“Being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.”

I depend on the Lord Jesus Christ for present and future ministry, depending entirely on His divine grace for my spiritual walk and service in His Kingdom.

Mission Updates by Joshua Lungu

Mission Update Zambia

Fruitful Evangelism in Northern Zambia

All Updates by Joshua Lungu