We are thrilled to see that God is opening doors for the restoration of His church across Zambia and to regions beyond. We had the immense privilege of returning to Zambia to spend time with our dear friends at RhemaFaith Church and others that we have met from other churches over the years. This marked our fourth visit to this beautiful nation, and it was a pivotal time for Relational Mission as we moved into a new season of partnership with the churches in Zambia.

This trip was different from previous years. Our focus shifted heavily toward conferences held across three distinct locations: Lusaka, Kalulushi, and Ndola. Beyond our existing relationships, God expanded our tents by connecting us with several other ministries, most notably the Africa Aflame family of churches, an apostolic network spanning five nations.

We were also so pleased to be joined by Edward and Fridah Buriah from Kenya during our second week in Ndola. Their extensive experience in the East African context, combined with their unique anointing as a father and mother over the nations of Africa, brought an invaluable blessing and insights as we ministered together. We are incredibly grateful for God’s design for team ministry. There was a profound sense of brothers and sisters serving in lockstep, each operating within their unique spiritual gifts, lifting each other up, and carrying the ministering load as one.

Core Teachings

The “More Together” theme permeated our preaching and teaching, our seminars, and our conversations. We regularly emphasized the biblical pattern of a plurality of leadership, mutual partnership, and the immense blessing of belonging to a wider family of churches. Our Relational Mission values naturally saturated our teaching, and were especially our focus in a dedicated, deep-dive day with the RhemaFaith leaders.

The ministry inputs were diverse and powerful and included preaching on revelation, revival, dwelling in the presence of God, the glorious church, and how to persevere during interruptions, challenges and trials. There was also a good amount of equipping as we taught on Pathways from Poverty, Everyone a Witness, Church Planting, Godly Leadership and a Leaders’ Marriage. It was great to see how well each of these were received, and a commitment to obedience to the scriptures was very evident.

Experiencing God’s Sovereignty in the Journey

We saw God’s hand of protection and sovereignty over us constantly. Right at the start, Edward and Fridah’s travel was delayed by a full week, forcing us to adapt and remain highly flexible with our initial schedule in Lusaka. Yet, God’s timing was perfect, and we were thrilled when they successfully joined us for the second week in Ndola.

We are thankful RhemaFaith Church for hosting us and driving us while we were in Zambia. However, the travel itself was a challenge. We clocked many hours in cars as we travelled in Zambia. In Lusaka, we were involved in a car accident when another vehicle crashed into us. By God’s grace, we walked away completely unharmed, and the car sustained only a few minor scratches. Long distances tested our endurance—our drive from Lusaka to Ndola took nine hours, and the return trip from Kalulushi took over three. Despite these long journeys and a few expected digestive challenges, everyone stayed healthy and arrived home safely!

A new season for Relational Mission in Africa

It was a real joy to witness how closely aligned RhemaFaith Church is with the vision and values of Relational Mission. During our leadership day, it became abundantly clear that these core values are not just theory; they are woven into the very DNA of Rhema Faith leaders.

Our Sunday together was a vibrant celebration of praise and thanksgiving. In a moment of immense prophetic weight, we officially adopted the RhemaFaith Churches into the Relational Mission family. This means that Relational Mission now has churches in Zambia which are RhemaFaith Ndola (Pamodzi and Mushili branches) and two promising church plants: RhemaFaith Lusaka West and Lusaka Chawama. Immediately following this, it was our delight to recognise three elders in RhemaFaith Church Ndola, which is a significant step for the church.

This is what Pastor Gift said after the service:

“I am super excited about what God has finally fulfilled for RhemaFaith Church. I am now at rest, knowing that RhemaFaith Church, the Church of Christ, is surrounded and protected by a large family of churches. We are no longer alone and independent, but interdependent with the rest of the Relational Mission churches.

Since the start of RFC, I have never believed in standing alone. My fear was seeing the church die because of limited capacity. But here we are! Not any more! We will thrive in the diversity of this family of God.

I believe that God will also use RhemaFaith Church to be a blessing to other churches as we join this beautiful family. I cannot wait to see what God has in store for us.

On behalf of the church, please receive an African shout of joy, and thank you so much for accepting us and making us part of RM.

After four years of laying foundations we now have Relational Mission churches in Zambia, and a recognised eldership team at RhemaFaith Church. Acts 14:26 speaks of Paul and Barnabas returning to Antioch, “where they had been commended to the grace of God for the work that they had fulfilled.” It feels as though the first season of laying foundations, building trust, and establishing local eldership is fulfilled. God is now launching us into a season of rapid fruitfulness and multiplication.

Connecting with new churches in new nations

In Lusaka and in Ndola we made new connections with churches, including some from Zimbabwe. It seemed that these connections were of God and we will be intentionally trying to build friendship and partnership with several churches in Zambia and in other African nations. There is a real hunger for friendship, partnership, accountability, equipping and support from churches in Africa, and we can only see the Relational Mission family growing in this continent in future years.

Looking Forward

Foundations have been laid, the first Relational Mission Eldership Team has been recognised, and the church in Zambia is poised to multiply. We look forward with great anticipation to what this new season of partnership will bring.

Your Support

We were incredibly blessed to have many people praying for us on a WhatsApp group. This prayer cover cannot be underestimated, and our fruitfulness, and protection are a direct result of incredible support in prayer from over 90 people in different churches and different nations.

If you would like to continue praying for the work in Africa, we have regular prayer zooms where we meet to pray together. To find our more please click here

PRAY

Finally, trips like this cost us financially, so if you would like to support us in this, you are able to give by clicking here:

GIVE

Thanks to everyone who has supported us in this work, and may God be glorified through his church in Zambia and throughout Africa!