Open Doors in Barotseland

Our Barotse Plains Vision Trip in June 2025 left us with a deep and definite sense that God is opening wide doors for ministry in Barotseland. The need for preacher training was not only clearly confirmed—but more importantly, we heard the heartfelt desire and plea from the preachers themselves for this kind of support.

I spent a week with bishop Alick Kalonga as we travelled to 4 of the 9 districts in the ECZ Zambezi Region which he oversees. As we travelled for many hours in the vehicle, he shared with me some of the pressing needs among the churches in the region.

Some of the biggest challenges that ECZ is facing in this region are:

1. Lack of spiritual leadership. There are no pastors and those who are leading the churches don’t have an understanding of how to teach the Bible.
2. Lack of education. This means that there are few candidates who can be sent for theological education.
3. Lack of English comprehension. Since all tertiary education is in English, this further restricts those who desire to learn how to teach the Bible.

“We have more than 60 churches in the Zambezi Region, yet we only have 3 pastors!”

Bishop Alick Kalonga

On the opening day of the leadership seminar held in Shangombo, as bishop Alick Kalonga introduced me as the speaker for all the sessions, he turned to me and said,

“Our doors are wide open for you. Please come and do the ministry of training our leaders to teach the Bible. Please tell your supporting churches that we need you here in Western Zambia.”

Bishop Alick Kalonga, ECZ Zambezi Region

Our personal calling to help Bible teachers

A summary of our personal mission statement is:

Together as a family, we serve communities where Jesus is least known by equipping pastors and Bible teachers to study God’s Word deeply and proclaim Christ faithfully through expository preaching.

I have always sensed that this is our call since first experiencing God’s call in 2020 to mission work in Zambia. When we went to Chavuma in 2022, this was one of the primary focuses for us. This was also our clear description of our call when we joined SIM in 2022.

Langham Preaching Zambia

Our first two years (2023–2024) based in Lusaka have equipped us with valuable tools and relationships that we believe will greatly benefit ministry in rural Western Zambia. One of the most significant tools is the Langham Preaching movement.

I currently serve on both the executive committee of Langham Preaching Zambia and the Langham Preaching Movement Leadership Team. By God’s grace, we’ve successfully launched Langham Preaching in Lusaka, and we’re already witnessing a growing impact: preaching is being strengthened, and church leaders are recognising the value of the training it offers.

As I’ve introduced Langham Preaching to church leaders in Western Province, their enthusiasm has been striking—they are eager to benefit from this training and see it brought to their region.

Simeon Trust Workshops on Expository Preaching

The Simeon Trust Workshops on Expository Preaching, held annually at Faith Baptist Church Riverside in Kitwe, have been a tremendous blessing to me. I first became familiar with Simeon Trust in 2017, and since then, their training has significantly sharpened my own preaching.

In Lusaka, I’ve had the joy of using Simeon Trust materials to train four of the key emerging leaders at Christ Church Lusaka, as part of our work with REACH-Zambia. These resources have proven to be both accessible and transformative.

Looking ahead, I believe Simeon Trust materials will play a vital role in strengthening Biblical, Christ-centered preaching across the churches of Barotseland. There is great potential here for raising a generation of preachers who rightly handle the Word of truth.

GWC Explore Course

Our involvement with the GWC Explore Course has, by God’s grace, placed us in a strong position to use this valuable resource to deepen the theological understanding of preachers and Bible teachers in Barotseland. As part of our work with REACH-Zambia, I’ve had the privilege of taking three key emerging leaders from Christ Church Lusaka through the course. It has been encouraging to see how God has used it to grow them in their knowledge of Him and their grasp of Scripture. I believe the Explore Course will likewise serve as an effective tool for strengthening Biblical preaching across Barotseland.

The leaders of 26 churches are keen for Preaching Training

During our Barotse Plains Vision Trip, I had the privilege of meeting with church leaders from 26 congregations across four districts in the Zambezi Region. Each of them expressed a strong desire to see Langham Preaching, Simeon Trust, and the Explore Course introduced in their churches. Their longing is clear: they want to equip their people with solid, nourishing teaching from the Word of God.

Here are four group photos we took together at each district. Please be praying for these church leaders so that they can grow in their ability to teach God’s Word faithfully.

The Baptist Church in Mongu is excited about Langham

Over lunch in Mongu, I had the privilege of meeting with Pastor Binwell Chibesa from Mongu Baptist Church to explore the possibility of bringing Langham Preaching and Simeon Trust to the region. His response was full of enthusiasm—largely because of his previous connection with Langham Preaching back in 2013, when he participated in some of the training.

Pastor Binwell shared how he continues to use the tools he gained through that training, not only in his own preaching but also in his teaching. He lectures in hermeneutics at Mongu Ministerial College and at Barotse Campus, where he actively passes on the principles and methods of Langham Preaching to the next generation of Bible teachers.

Barotse Campus is enthusiastic for Langham Preaching

I also had the opportunity to meet with Rev. Patrick Sikwela, the principal of Barotse Campus, along with Mr. Katonda Libingi, who serves as the campus treasurer. Both men warmly welcomed me and expressed strong interest in seeing Langham Preaching, Simeon Trust, and the Explore Course established in Mongu—especially with a focus on the students at the campus.

They clearly recognise the value that these tools and training could bring in shaping future pastors and Bible teachers with a strong foundation in expository preaching. Their eagerness reflects a shared vision: to see students equipped with practical tools and sound principles that will help them handle God’s Word faithfully as they prepare for ministry in the region.

The Doors are clearly open

We are overwhelmed at the clarity that God has provided to us to show us the open doors for ministry in Barotseland. Just before we headed out on this Barotse Plains Vision Trip in June 2025, we asked our prayer supporters to pray:

Please pray⁠ ⁠that a door will be opened for us for effective future ministry in Mongu.

It is abundantly clear that the doors are open with multiple church denominations for ministry in Mongu. Please pray for us as we begin planning our transition to Mongu and Barotseland.

“And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ”

Colossians 4:3