Over the last ten years Church centres and thriving congregations have been established in many remote villages including Malime, Siamasimbi, Zwanga, Siamukoma, Mahululo, Chunga and Muzoka.

Active outreach by two full-time workers supported by trained local people continues to grow this work and spread the Christian message.

                          King’s Church: Mahululo

              Pictured with a visitor from Covenant Life

                    Church Leicester in February 2007

The King’s Church, Mahululo started life almost ten years ago in nearby Malime village subsequently being relocated to a more central location amongst several villages in the same area, approximately 24 km. from Livingstone. Today the substantial brick building in Malime is rather used as a base for the mobile clinic to the area, and also accommodates a community pre-school.

Visitors arriving at Mahululo for the first time when the morning worship is in full swing, even before entering the locally constructed building, are immediately greeted by the varied and distinctive harmonies of strong African voices bringing their praises to the Lord.

Interestingly the congregation decided to invest in a clock despite time and punctuality not being of high priority in these rural communities. Not everyone arrives promptly due to distance, weather conditions and other factors, nevertheless, once all have gathered together, the congregation is between 80 and 100 strong each week – many walking several kilometres to be there.

This is a church congregation which delights to meet together with God and each other; a congregation hungry to learn and who draw strongly on the speaker. Visitors are made very welcome; visiting speakers and guests from beyond Zambia especially so.

Here we see Victor, with a helper, accompanying the worship on his drums.

Twenty to thirty children, after joining with the adults for an hour or more, enjoy their own time of teaching and worship under one of the shadier trees nearby. Recently these youngsters returned to the main congregation to the surprise of all.

Following the example of the adult choir the children entered the building from the rear entrance in line, dancing, singing, swivelling their hips and praising God.

Even the huge smiles on their faces could not match the laughter and joy which overwhelmed every adult witnessing this testimony. Choir members rolled with laughter to see their movements and mannerisms mimicked so keenly, the contribution concluding to rapturous applause and cheering.

Pictured above are, on the left, Victor Mutema leading worship, and the right Ewart speaking and Dennis Mutema translating.

                 Zwanga church roof & evangelists

Rainbow Africa staff are seen below loading sheets for the roof of the church building which was under construction in Zwanga.

Our evangelists are ready to work in any situation which will help spread the Word - and building a church is certainly no exception.

Richwell Mutema is a driver, evangelist and pastor and Albert Nyundo is a pastor/evangelist.

Albert, who joined Rainbow Africa in August 2008, is a talented teacher and youth worker, plays the guitar and is an excellent addition to the team.

               Everlasting Life Church Congregation:

                              Siamukoma Village

                Visitors from Stroud Christian Fellowship

                shown with church members in July 2006

Siamasimbi Success New Covenant Church Ladies Choir                         

This choir was formed by a teacher from the nearby school who is a new member of the church. They have significantly enhanced the worship with their gentle harmony.

Seen below are children attending Sunday School at Siamasimbi.

                                    Recent growth

At Muzoka the New Life Church already numbers 90+ and recently the marquee in which the church was meeting was destroyed by severe weather. Undeterred, the local congregation set about the construction of a permanent meeting place as described under the Muzoka section of the projects tab.

Pictured below are church leaders from Mahululo, Siamukoma, Siamasimbi, Zwanga, Livingstone and Muzoka, following a weekend leadership training programme

    During 2011, under the leadership of the local church elders, each congregation in Livingstone and Muzoka districts has coninued to experience considerable growth.

For the churches in both Siamukoma and Siamasimbi villages, there was little prospect of continuing to meet in the old thatched, mud and pole buildings once the season of tropical rain storms arrived.

Construction of replacement buildings had started in 2009, but escalating material costs brought the church members’ efforts to a halt.  In June 2010 specific donations for the work made it possible to restart both projects.  Villages turned out in force to assist our builders, materials were ferried by truck from town, foundations were laid, it was all systems go once again – but not for long!

Opposition from envious traditional leaders in Siamukoma brought further delay until a visit was made to Senior Chief Mukuni in his palace in Mukuni village (8000 pop.).  Thankfully this audience saw the issue speedily resolved and Chief Mukuni’s ‘Prime Minister’ accompanied us to Siamukoma to make it clear that Chief Mukuni was fully supportive of our work amongst his people and the project should meet no further delay.  Senior Chief Mukuni has 3 children at King’s School and also values the healthcare, food aid and other support provided over the years to the rural community.