Willard is working as a Pastoral Intern alongside Confex Makhalira in their church plant efforts in Blantyre, Malawi
The year 2019 in which we embarked on church planting started on a high note. Everything was going well. It was very exciting! However, things took a twist in 2020 when COVID-19 came to Malawi. We were not spared from its devastating effects. When the new virus hit our nation, we continued with our work but not without challenges. Our Bible study and community outreach programs were also impacted. Malawi’s already struggling economy was hit hard and we noticed many needs around us.
Mission to the World (MTW) donated over $10,000 to help us meet the needs of our Christian brothers and sisters as well as the community around us. In June we began to distribute basic food items and groceries. Interns and members of our study group worked to form a mercy ministry. The committee sits down every fortnight to evaluate and identify beneficiaries of the relief items depending on their registered needs. Through this process, rightful beneficiaries are helped without regard for their affiliations.
The committee sits down every fortnight to evaluate and identify beneficiaries of the relief items depending on their registered needs.Tweet itThe exercise of disbursement of COVID 19 relief items has exposed the urgent physical and spiritual needs of our society. Men from all walks of life have suffered losses in their business and job careers. Our ministry has experienced growth because we use the opportunity to share spiritual devotions when community beneficiaries assemble to receive aid items. On such occasions, the varied gifts of group members are fruitfully deployed. There is an observable change in our Bible study group as we have seen some additions from some who benefited from our mercy ministry. One of the beneficiaries was a college student. His arrival has suddenly opened a door to student ministry which could not have become a reality previously. We are very sure that the Lord is using this exercise in addition to regular programs to bring the end time harvest to himself. The progressive operation of the mercy ministry has ensured that everyone is reached. Nearly all funding has been utilized in meeting the ongoing needs.
Christ Presbyterian church is very appreciative of support from MTW. The vision to plant a solid Reformed church and a desire to see true revival and reformation in our age can only be realized if the church provides a living example in both word and deed. Our church is very optimistic that growth is at the door because of fair participation of all members which makes them feel at home as a family. We look forward to seizing more opportunities as we strive to be a pure church.
For more about Willard Mdyetseni, read his intro to MRN post.