NKOLOMA S D A CHURCH HISTORY

MUNALI MISSION DISTRICT

By the grace of our lord jesus christ,we would like to pray tribute to the following institution:

1 The lusaka city council for the use of Nkoloma Stadium,

2 Lusaka central police for the permit to hold a crusade,

3 Zambia air force headquarters for the free public address system.

The crusade which took place in the month s of February and march 1989,was organised by Lusaka East mission District pastor  E .Cargil the then Zambia Union Excutive Treasurer was the guest speaker.He organised two thousand free King James Version Bibles for non-Adventist crusade attendants.Our Docars Mothers had a special attire of chitenge written "Love thy Neighbour".

Everyone was a crusader.Elders, Deacons,Amo,Docars and Adventist Yuoths worked tirelessly to invite souls to the crusade.It was nobodys business but everybodys business and agreat revivalfor the crusaders.

Each time a soul surrendered unto the Lord Jesus Christ,a desire was kindled in us to go and invite many.Tears of joy were flowing down our cheeeks.what an experience.We must admit that the crusade took place at a wrong time from the human point of view,the rain season.Men and children travelled in the rains thirstingfor the word.Women with their babies strappled at their backs were soaked to the skin as they headed for the stadium.Songs,praising our creator were heard  from afar.

In one of the crusade committee meetings,it was proposedthat the new converts be on their own so that they do not have a spritual complex.

At the end of the crusade more than three hundred (300) converts were baptised of which One hundred and fifty(150) were directed to Chelston S D A church as the nearest to their residential areas.Chelston Church had the Capacity to accomodate the newly baptised members but the issue loomed that they should be on their own.It was a hot debate but finally,the Holly Spirit prevailed.It was resolved that the new converts be found a place of worship.Elder Nathan Molo was assigned to lead a team of those that were going to meet Sr Elizabeth Musanu the then Headmistress at Kapwelyomba Primary School.

The discussions bore fruits that on the 13thMay,1989,our friends had the first Sabbath fellowship at Kapwelyomba Primary School.

Assigned by Chelston Church to lead the Branch in the three months doctrinal training programme were:

Br Victor Aongola as branch Leader,Eld Patson Ngolo assistant branch leader and Eld Herbert Shabula was Elder in charge of the branch.Elder Rashford.P Musonda the Zambia Union Executive Treasurer was requested by Pastor Cargil to worship at nkoloma in order to oversee the branch in its spritual growth.Those who crossed to give a helping hand were the Branch leaders families,that is,late Eld Matyola Rodgers,Br Fredrick Kalubula,Sr Gladys Malunga,Sr Sinless Mwiinga and Sr Rabbeca Malawo just to name a few.

We engaged a three months intensive doctrinal training program for our converts.After the program it was optional for the new members to join a Church of their choice.A few left while the rest maintained their fellowship at Kapwelyomba School.Later Kapwelyomba Branch changed its name to Nkoloma Branch originating from Nkoloma Stadium where the crusade was held.

   On 16thSeptember,1989,Nkoloma S.D.A Branch was orginised into a company by our devoted District Leader,late Pastor Lubasi.Eld V.S.Aongola continued to lead the company with the dynamic spritual experience of Eld H Rodgers Ngungu from Munali Church Eld P. Ngolo and Eld S.M.Hamabele.Eld Chilufya as well joined us in the spritual grooming of the company.Young men like Eld Frazer Kanondo also came into the lime light from Chelston Church.

It is observed that Nkoloma company is a model company established out of a crusade.Traditionally crusade converts were directed to the nearest churches.

 Pastor Lubasi left and Pastor Ekeleti Chabala took over the district.He also stirred the company to higher levels.We continued to  grow in the spirit of love. Members were determined to become a church soonest possible. Our motto was `There is no passenger ,we are all drivers`. It was a collective leadership and we enjoyed every moment fellowship. After meeting the requirements,Nkoloma SDA company was organised into a church by pastor Chansa on the 16th of December, 1990.

The first three Elders of Nkoloma SDA were:

Elder V.S Aongola

Elder Warren chilufya

Elder Eneas Malawo ( late )

It took  nkoloma four months from the branch to  company - 13th May,1989 to 16th September, 1989 to 16th, 1990.

It is a record (praise be tothe Lord) that it took Nkoloma Branch one year three months to become a church .Thanks for the love, unity,oneness and focus that prevailed.

During Nkoloma`s existance many areas were sought through the City Council in order to acquire a church a church plot, Elder Timothy Hakuyu the Lusaka Town Clerk was brought in to Chelston for the areas which we thought were good for the church. One such area was the one on the southern side opposite ChelstonTavern which he could not recommend as it was swampy,on the slope near the Tavern. The other area is where a pentecostal Church stands,that is,on the Northern side of the white houses. It was good and he recommended it but when he went for the city plan,he discovered that the white houses where not on the Lusaka City plan so he could not pursue it.There is another plot between the loadto Chelston clinic and Ngwerere street. We were told it belonged to the church which stands there today.There were suggestions for a plot oppisite Elder Aongola`s residence,that still could not work out.

The Lord` eyeswere focused on the kamanga communityas well.In 1996 the church bought a one acre piece of landfrom Mr Banda . By that time the church had left Kapwelyomba School.It was congregating at kamanga basic School.

In 1997 the church decided to move to the plot. A temporary shelter was erected, Members were asked to show the leaders where the permanent structure wouldbe erected.Elder Alfred M. Nalishuwa of chelston church helped to put the church plan, designed by Mr Kaona, on the ground at no cost at all. The foundation trench was abandoned for digging deeper than usual. It would have been costly to raise the foundation from depth of the trench. Elder Nalishuwa (for his love for Nkoloma church) again togather with Elder Namakando and a few senior church members,put the plan on the ground where the Church stands. Thanks to Elder Ngungu and Elder Kafupi,who approached the Man who Designed the plan and got approved by the Council respectively.

We cannot ignore the contributions made by Elder H.S. Benzu and the rest of you accoring to the blessing received from the Lord Jesus Christ. The dynamic Building Chairmanship of Elder W. Kabunda. The mastery painting by ELder N.c. Muwezwa.It has been team work,we must say every individual`s contribution has put the Church where it is today.

To us all congratulations for the spiritual,moral and financial support to the church. We have to work tirelessly knowing that a reward is in heaven. Every individual`s sacrifice cannot go unnoticed. Laity has to complete the Lord`s work.May the Lord bless each and every one of us in our spiritual journey.