Malawi churches gather for celebration despite drought
Each year, churches across Malawi gather for Easter celebrations, and this year was no exception despite the region's unprecedented drought throughout the 2015-2016 growing season.
The Malawi South District based its Easter Conference, held 25 to 27 March at Bangwe Church of the Nazarene, on John Wesley's quote "Catch on fire and others will love to come watch you burn." On the first evening, District Superintendent Williams Thewethe encouraged more than 600 participants from all zones to catch the Easter fire so that they can take it to their local churches.
African missionary Wellington Obotte, responsible for evangelism and revivalism on the Africa South-East Field, served as conference speaker. He spoke on the mission of the church — seeking the lost, discipling them, and sending them for mission. Obotte said that as Nazarenes, we should not close doors for those that are lost because there is a celebration in heaven when even one lost soul receives salvation. Many responded to Obotte's message, some by becoming born-again Christians, others by rededicating their lives, and many more by becoming entirely sanctified.
The second day of the conference was workshop day. Elia Bodole, a member of Blantyre Church of the Nazarene and an accountant at Telecommunication Network Malawi, spoke on microfinance. Pastor Chinsinsi A. Phiri spoke on how local churches can become Nazarene Compassionate Ministries hubs.
Meanwhile, on the Malawi Lowershire District, two Easter camps were held in different parts of the district. A total of 412 people attended both camps. The theme of the camps was "Blessed are those who have not seen, and yet have believed" from John 20:29.
Throughout the Lowershire Easter camps, 46 people were baptised. Workshops were held on the Church of the Nazarene's doctrine, Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International, Nazarene Youth International, Nazarene Missions International, giving and tithing, men's ministries, evangelism, and church planting. In addition to the workshops and fellowship, the JESUS film was also shown at both of the camps, which also opened the door for people to give their lives to Christ.
In spite of the recent natural disasters in the area, food was donated and everyone was able to eat throughout the entire weekend. The district thanks those who donated food items to help make the camps a success.