Pastor Charles Mandevu’s Ordination

All pastors in the LCCA begin their training on the campus of the Lutheran Bible Institute in Lilongwe, Malawi

In the year 1964 the WELS began training men for the public ministry of the LCCA on in Lusaka, Zambia. Due to the growth of the Malawi field, eleven years later a second worker training school opened in Lilongwe, Malawi. Students from both Zambia and Malawi study at the Lutheran Bible Institute in Lilongwe for three years, and then spend another three years at the Lutheran Seminary in Lusaka. Students spend an additional year as Vicars, serving congregations under the supervision of more experienced pastors, before being ordained into the ministry.

Recently, I attended the installation and ordination of one of my former students.  After seven years of ministerial education, Pastor Charles Mandevu was called to a dual parish in the country.  The churches’ members were very happy.  Although their congregation was established in 1976, this is the first time they are being served by a full-time pastor.  The church choir even composed a song for the occasion.

Pastor Kesten Chinyanga giving his blessing to Pastor Mandevu

A Malawian pastor presided over the liturgy. A second Malawian pastor preached the sermon. A third Malawian conducted the rite of ordination. Together with them, I held my hand over Pastor Mandevu and gave him a blessing on this ministry.  It was a touching moment for me.

Missionary Paul Nitz giving his blessing to Pastor Mandevu

Two Malawian and two Zambian national called workers currently teach in the two worker training schools in Lilongwe and Lusaka. In addition, WELS One Africa Team supports four full-time missionaries who help teach men like Pastor Charles prepare themselves for the public ministry. WELS also supports other resident American missionaries who offer opportunities for pastors in the LCCA to continue growing in the Word and to sharpen their ministry skills.

Pastor and Mrs. Mandevu

The most effective way we can facilitate the spread of the good news of Jesus Christ across the African continent is by helping our sister synods to train their pastors.  These national pastors are well-prepared to care for their flocks and to empower them to evangelize their fellow Africans.  Hold a virtual hand over all of them from a distance and bless their ministries in Africa.

Missionary Paul Nitz has been living on the campus of the Lutheran Bible Institute in Lilongwe, Malawi for fourteen years. In addition to teaching Biblical languages he serves as the school’s principal. He is also the Integrator (Chairman) of One Africa Team.

 

Please pray for those working in fields that are ripe for harvest. Share their story, engage with future news and receive updates. Go to this link to learn more about our mission fields in Africa and how the Holy Spirit is working faith in people’s hearts  https://wels.net/serving-others/missions/africa

Video

I have a very nice short video of choir singing their special song for ordination.
[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6OFOXfQSMY?feature=oembed&w=525&h=295]

[youtube https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=K6OFOXfQSMY]

Words of the song:

“Tikondwere, tikondwere ife tonse, pakudzodzedwa pa Mbusa Mandevu”

[Let’s celebrate, all of us, on the ordination of Pastor Mandevu].