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One hundred years of fellowship

The Zambia BIC Church celebrates its centennial

Wearing clothes made specially for the event, the Zambia BIC Church celebrates 100 years with singing and dancing.

A century ago, two courageous Brethren in Christ missionaries—H. Frances Davidson and Adda Engle—set off to plant a church in Zambia. Today, what began as a mission in the bush of south-central Africa has grown into a mature and significant part of the body of Christ.

In mid-August, the Zambia BIC Church, along with Brethren in Christ World Missions (BICWM) held a centennial celebration at Macha Mission, drawing more than 2,000 people from 60 Zambian congregations, as well as several dozen North American guests.

Women prepare insima (similar to grits) for General Conference meals.

Held in conjunction with the General Conference of the Zambia BIC Church, the centennial celebration was a beautiful time of songs, dramas, and sermons to commemorate the past and to look toward the future of the Church in Zambia.

To start it all off, Bishop Thuma Hamukang’andu led the Church in singing “Happy Birthday” to itself. Wearing shirts and skirts made of citenge material specially printed with the BIC logo, both young and old jubilantly sang and danced between sessions. There were also many wonderful, original songs and dramas that chronicled the planting and growth of the Zambia BIC Church.

Children recite Scripture passages at the centennial celebration of the Zambia BIC Church.

With the help of tireless interpreters, speakers of both Tonga and English were able to take part in the celebration, which included many wise words from former missionary Graybill Brubaker, the honorable Lupando Mwape, vice president of Zambia, and many others.

The Zambia National Broadcasting Corporation (ZNBC) was present to cover the centennial celebration, interviewing many of the Church’s leaders. News coverage aired both immediately after the celebration and later in a full, Tonga-language feature.

---This article was adapted from the prayer letter of Esther and John Spurrier, BICWM missionaries serving at Macha. Photos by Warren and Connie Hoffman.

Watch a video of the Zambia BIC centennial celebration. Download>
(produced by Drew Hoffman)
See more photos from the North American tour group. View>
See the Zambia trip web-journal produced by the Manheim (Pa.) BIC Church. Visit>

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