Honouring the Life and Legacy of a Faithful Servant
The Church of the Nazarene in Zambia is mourning the passing of Rev Nicholas Chirwa, former District Superintendent in Zambia from 1976 to 1986, a man whose ministry touched countless lives and whose leadership shaped the church in Zambia for years.
Rev Chirwa entered the Church of the Nazarene in the 1960’s, studying to become a pastor and eventually served as the first national District Superintendent. After his retirement from DS, he also was the faithful and dedicated senior pastor of the Kalimansenga Church of the Nazarene for 30 years, faithfully guiding the congregation until his retirement in 2020.
Those who knew him remember not just his leadership, but his humility, wisdom and deep love for God’s people.
Rev Neld Nkunika, the current DS for the Zambia South District, shared these words in honour of Rev Chirwa: “Rev Nicholas Chirwa was one of the early pastors in Zambia. He worked closely with Rev Chavunduka (from Zimbabwe), who was the resident pastor for Woodlands Church of the Nazarene in Lusaka. Rev Chirwa pastored Chikumbi and Chilenje churches then became the first national District Superintendent.”
When he left the position of DS in 1986, he went and settled in an area called Kalimansenga in Kasisi. In 1990 he started a Nazarene church there, where he served until 2020, when he retired for health reasons as his diabetes was troubling him.
Although he is no longer with us, the seeds Rev Chirwa planted continue to bear fruit. The churches he pastored, the leaders he trained and the communities he served stand as a lasting testimony to his dedication.
We thank God for the life of Rev Nicholas Chirwa. His work is done, his race is run, and he now rests in the presence of the Lord he served so faithfully.
