Urban Ministry – Zambia Conference
Africa Southeast Field Urban Ministries held a 4-day training conference from 28 August to 2 September, bringing together 18 participants from Zambia, Zimbabwe and Malawi to Lusaka, Zambia.
Rev Tsakani Sibanda and Rev Cyrille Ebam were the facilitators of this training. The participants represented the cities of Lusaka, Kitwe, Lilongwe, Blantyre, Mzuzu, Harare, Gweru and Bulawayo.
The training content included understanding the urban concept, which was done by taking a practical walk into Lusaka to give a real-world approach, which is essential when understanding a city. Each participant managed to design ministries for their cities. Using a physical map, these ministerial interpretations were used to strategize how to reach their cities with the Gospel message. Such planning helps the church to have a visual and well-structured plan of how effectively the church will reach into the urban areas. The participants also wrote prayers for their cities which were informed by the research.
The Urban Ministry in the Church of the Nazarene came about from a realization that urban populations are increasing, and cities are growing more complex. This ministry exists to facilitate, resource, and equip the church and the disciple-making movements in urban settings with the desire to see authentic, missional communities spring up to meet the unique challenges in the cities. Participants are expected to champion urban ministries and teach other pastors and leaders in their districts to use these methods and strategies in their urban areas.
