MALAWI UNITED METHODIST CHURCH: July 2012

Saturday, July 07, 2012

MHONE THINKS DEEPER IN AGRICULTURE

MHONE THINKS DEEPER IN AGRICULTURE
By John Nyadaufe
Baptist Theological Center; Lilongwe

The Agriculture Manager in the Malawi United Methodist Church, Lester Mhone has asked the conference to employ two farm assistants to help him in operating the church farm in Mchinji.

The development erupted at the beginning of the first session of the church's Provisional Annual Conference held at Baptist Theological Seminar in Lilongwe on July 6, 2012.

Speaking when he was asked to elaborate on Agriculture report, Mhone said that the church can benefit from the farm if funding and potential workers are provided in time.

Mhone doing what he knows best in the farm(Picture MUMC file photo)

"The farm requires committed personnel to help me in operations so that we can have good outcome," said Mhone.

Responding to the development, the Conference Office Manager, Hugo Ngwira agreed that the farm needs some individuals to work with Mhone.

He added that there is hope that one of the two students who are being trained in agriculture in Lilongwe will be recruited to help.

In delayed funds, Ngwira stated that the ministry involves many stages such as proposal confirmation for the funds to released from donors which sometimes takes time.

Ngwira advised that plans are in progress to have tangible projects on the farm to fulfill the manager's vision and dreams.

Agriculture is the major project which helps pastors in the MUMC provisional Conference to have enough food for their families through farm inputs implementations.

“Ready to teach the Church members in Giving” Nkhata

Kalondola Nkhata in the house

Nkhata (right) telling the house of his readiness

“Ready to teach the Church members in Giving” Nkhata.

The Newly appointed evangelist for the Malawi United Methodist Church, Kalondola Nkhata has announced his commitment to support the Council of Finance and Administration CONFAD through teachings on giving this year.

Nkhata made the remark when CONFAD chairperson, Francis Mzumara said many circuits in the conference are failing to complete their church assessment which is a major challenge for the council to collect enough money in church.

“I sacrifice myself to leave other jobs to teach people on giving so that this may not be a counted as a challenge in future,” said Nkhata.

Kalondola Nkhata has been an evangelist in the country since 1984 and he promises to support in making disciples of Jesus Christ in the Malawi United Methodist Church starting from thisyear.

Story By John Nyadaufe

Lilongwe Baptist Centre, Malawi

Pastors' children given hope of continued scholarship


Mrs Motera Mhone responding to the question. Picture taken By John Nyadaufe

Mr Daniel Kabunduli Nkhata Presenting the report in the house (John Nyadaufe Picture)

The first session of the Malawi Provisional Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church gives hope for continued education for pastors’ children as leaders agreed to source scholarships for them to continue their studies.

Presenting the 2011 to 2012 report to the annual conference, the Connectional Secretary Mr Daniel Kabunduli Nkhata said the women department will continue to support Pastors’ children who do not have adequate financial backing. The conference voted unanimously for the idea.

Commenting on the issue in the house, the Conference Women President, Moty Mhone said the program will help children especially girls who lacks financial support among pastors.

“The scholarship will help pastors’ children who cannot afford to pay for their own ” said Mhone

Mrs Cecilia Kambona, a wife to Pastor Ephraim Kambona said the scholarship is a good development. “it will improve the level of education among Pastors children. I will also induce encouragement to pusue education among the beneficiaries” said Mrs Kambona.

Agreeing with Kambona was Pastor Peter Nethulu of Madisi circuit. He said most pastors children are not educated. “Many circuits fail to sponsor their pastors. This affects the educational life of their children in tht they can not get good and quality education” said Nethulu.

Advising the beneficiaries Kambona said the children receiving the scholarship should respond to the chance with hard work. “I always tell my daughter the children to work hard in school because opportunities like these are rare” said Kambona.

Nethulu concurred with Kambona saying the scholarship should be a source of encouragement to the children. “The children should not take the opportunity for granted” said Nethulu.

Both Nethulu and Kambona thank god for the opportunity of the scholarship that was an answer to the prayers of many people.

In conclusion the scholarship will improve the educational welfare of pastors” children. It will help pastors to minister the word of God without hassles.

Story by Noel Kumwenda

Lilongwe Baptist centre, Malawi