Chalala is a large middle to upper class residential area in the South Eastern part of the captial city of our country, Zambia. Middle aged to older couples with their families have bought land and built houses there while most young professionals settle there finding homes to rent. Most of the houses are gated and it is difficult to get into contact with residents who are busy with their own lives. Our current strategy is to come up with events that would interest them such as couples and women’s meetings dealing with pertinent issues and children’s conferences and men’s breakfasts. We hope that as the community comes out to these events we can get their contacts and forge relationships with them to create an occasion to share the gospel.

-Thank God with us for the sending church, Kabwata Baptist Church that has encouraged members of the church living in the area to support the new church. There is great enthusiasm about it

-Pray for us as we seek to raise funds for a plot of land and building. Land in the area is pretty expensive. We would need around $25,000 for a good plot of land alone. And perhaps another $25,000 for a building.

-We have committed the first few years to out and out outreach using the event strategy described above which requires plenty of work in planning and plenty of hands in followup. Please pray that the Lord would give us strength and bless our gospel efforts!

Update from Pastor Mwindula Mbewe (January 2022):

Greetings in Jesus' name! Since moving to our own place and forming membership, we spent most of the last few months settling as a church. In December we held a Christmas carols night, a beautiful event with great singing. In this last update for the year I thought I could sum 2021 by showing some of the relationships that were formed and built in the year. One critical relationship I have is with the elder-in-charge of Hillview from the sending church, Kabwata Baptist, Mr. George Sitali. We met once a month to talk about the work and pray together. Here I am with him and Joseph (beside me), a Pastoral Intern who spent two months with me.

CATCHING UP WITH HILLVIEW TEENS

Though I am the pastor, my wife is far better with people than I am. She noticed the growing number of teenagers we had at church and invited a few of them over for lunch. It was great catching up with them and hearing how they feel about the church. We certainly need to cater more for them in the new year. Pray for us!

SOME SEVENTH DAY ADVENTIST FRIENDS

I met Michelo about two years ago through a mutual friend and discovered that he lived right down the road from me. We have engaged in several discussions primarily around salvation. He recently got married to Nasilele and we have begun a weekly bible study together in Romans. We are praying that it will be fruitful!

SOME PENTECOSTAL FRIENDS

You just never know where encouragement comes from in ministry! These are the Chamas, members of a Pentecostal church who first came to Hillview when their church suspended meetings. They attend all our monthly and midweek meetings since they live in the area. Mr. Chama preached at our Christmas service, a message: "Beyond The Manger-Why Jesus Came".

ROAD TRIPS

Musonda Mwango grew up in a like-minded church but came to Hillview after his job brought him to our city from Kabwe. Here we are pictured driving out of town to Chibombo so I could go meet his girlfriend and get to know her. He has settled very well into the church and is a blessing serving in multiple ways.

ONE ON ONE DISCIPLESHIP

Richard studied engineering in Russia. He came to reformed convictions listening to online sermons. When he got back to Zambia, he discovered that our church was near his home and started coming. We met once a week to study the order of salvation together through 2021. He says our studies helped him better understand assurance of salvation.

HOSPITALITY MINISTRY

One of the joys I have is seeing our members embrace new people who are coming to our church. Here, the Kangwas invited a few people to their home for a get together and included a new family that have been coming to Hillview for the past few months. I pray that more members do more of this so that the people who keep visiting Hillview feel loved!

A big thank you for all your prayers and support in 2021!