Brother Tyler Worthen: Amid extreme economic hardship in Africa, a new chapter of the Church Of Christ is being unfolded as more houses of worship are being constructed. A compelling new chapter in Malawi as the very first house of worship is dedicated to the Almighty God. Michael Robinson has that story.
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Michael Robinson: Beneath the gentle veil of the sun’s warm embrace, Lilongwe, the capital city of Malawi, unveils its natural splendor. Yet, within this picturesque landscape, resides a community burdened by one of the world’s most profound forms of poverty. Amidst the hardship, a beacon of hope illuminates. The lives of residents like Alex—a symbol of an extraordinary work that he and others find important to be a part of.
Alex Majamanda (Salima, Malawi): This building we have here is very beautiful. I am very, very happy to see this building built here for us to worship our Lord God.
Michael Robinson: The ongoing work of the Church Of Christ throughout the world now gracing Lilongwe’s landscape. As it’s not common for Alex to see such beautiful edifices in Lilongwe, he is familiar with the houses of worship of the Church Of Christ built around the world.
Alex Majamanda (Salima, Malawi): I have seen a lot of houses of worship on INCTV and now, I’ve physically seen it [the house of worship] and I will use it.
Michael Robinson: To use with fellow Church Of Christ members in their service to the Lord God. A shared joy because it serves as a first ever milestone.
Mark Lester Catarojja (Minister of the Gospel): This is the first ever concrete house of worship [of the Church Of Christ] built here in Malawi.
Michael Robinson: This pivotal moment for the Church Of Christ was the directive of the Executive Minister, Brother Eduardo Manalo, to dedicate this house of worship here in Lilongwe. And it was brother Glicerio P. Santos IV, a minister of the gospel and the general auditor of the Church Of Christ, who was sent and led the congregation of Lilongwe through this special worship service on this milestone occasion.
Brother Glicerio P. Santos IV (Minister of the Gospel): Thanks be to the Lord God through the Church Administration. We have a new house of worship to be dedicated to God for the glory and honor of Him.
Brother Andrey Silva (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Southeastern Africa): You truly see the hand of God behind all of these things because all of these things are miracles in the lives of the members of the Church Of Christ here in this place to have their own house of worship.
Michael Robinson: A house of worship that signifies God’s work of the true faith ongoing in Malawi from the humble beginnings that would lead to this extraordinary moment for the Church Of Christ members in Lilongwe.
Brother Andrey Silva (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Southeastern Africa): Imagine going to a place and they don’t know the Church. You are there to introduce the Church. And so there were many challenges also because of the culture, because of the language. But because of the love and mercy of our Lord God and because of the support of the Church Administration. The work continued, It progressed and the Church continues to grow today.
Michael Robinson: Now, with numerous worship services in congregations throughout Malawi, the very first house of worship began its construction. Looking forward to the day that this concrete built from the ground up Church edifice would become a beautiful house of worship with a seating capacity of 300. Addressing the growing needs of members here in Lilongwe. A vital action of faith for every member– the worship service.
Alex Majamanda (Head Deacon, Congregation of Salima): Worship service is very important. During worship services, it is where we pray, we hear the words of God. In that way, we have hope that whatever happens in this world, whatever problems we face in this world, we have our Lord God on our side because we have [this] house of worship [to go to.]
Peter Kamwendo (Head Deacon, Lilongwe, Malawi): Whenever we have a problem, whenever I have something to tell God, I’ll be coming to the chapel to pray.
Brother Andrey Silva (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Southeastern Africa): These houses of worship of the Iglesia Ni Cristo are beacons of hope, not only for the brethren, but even for the surrounding communities,
Michael Robinson: Even Jean-Marc, a local store owner who sells translation equipment used during the dedication, shared his amazement. Seeing this new house of worship.
Jean-Marc Yav (Guest, Lilongwe, Malawi): There are churches around this area. It’s full of churches. but this one stands out. It’s as if it’s been done as if you know, when this building his own house with much attention to it, details to it. So this is how this house of worship is being built. It is just so outstanding.
Peter Kamwendo (Head Deacon, Lilongwe, Malawi): The chapel has been dedicated and I will be praising here my Lord with joy.
Michael Robinson: And the building and dedication of new houses of worship haven’t stopped in Africa, like in Zambia. Earlier this year, another milestone was reached as the Church dedicated its first ground up house of worship in Lusaka. In Ficksburg, South Africa, construction of a new house of worship is ongoing. Land was even purchased for future plans of construction, like in Uganda. All this for the glory of God.
Brother Andrey Silva (Supervising Minister, Ecclesiastical District of Southeastern Africa): We are witnesses to the miracles that our Lord God is performing here in this place. We as ministers, church officers, the members of the Church Of Christ, were just instruments to continue to help the work of salvation grow. But the one behind it truly is our Lord God.
Alex Majamanda (Head Deacon, Congregation of Salima): This is the work of the only true God-our Father in Heaven. And we will continue to worship Him and continue to take care of this house [of worship.] And we will continue to propagate the words of God in Malawi so all the people know the truth.
“Thank you Brother Eduardo V. Manalo.”
“Thank you to all the brethren around the world.”
Michael Robinson: Even with worsening economic conditions experienced here in Malawi and throughout Africa, the work of constructing houses of worship is non-stop as houses of worship are a vital entity in the lives of Church Of Christ members in serving as places of hope that bring glory to the Almighty God. To watch more about the ongoing construction of houses of worship of the Church Of Christ throughout the world, visit us at incmedia.org/incnewsworld. Michael Robinson, Iglesia Ni Cristo News Network.
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Brother Tyler Worthen: Well that does it for us on INC News World. Tune in every Sunday for new episodes on INCTV, and every Saturday on incmedia.org, our YouTube channel and on streaming platforms. I’m Brother Tyler Worthen, thank you for joining us. Stay safe and we’ll see you next time. God bless.
