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Building the teachers on the islands

“To say the truth, people they love CFCM because they start by building the teacher, then the children.” These are the words of CFCM trainer, Samson Nkapangalika, from Nkhata Bay. Samson was part of the CFCM team that visited the Lake Malawi islands of Likoma and Chizumulu in August.

Whatever you did for one of the least of these..

Then the King will say to those on his right, ‘Come, you who are blessed by my Father; take your inheritance, the kingdom prepared for you since the creation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave me something to eat, I was thirsty and you gave me something to drink, I was a stranger and you invited me in, I needed clothes and you clothed me, I was sick and you looked after me, I was in prison and you came to visit me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, ‘Lord, when did we see you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you something to drink? When did we see you a stranger and invite you in, or needing clothes and clothe you? When did we see you sick or in prison and go to visit you?’ The King will reply, ‘Truly I tell you, whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.’ Matthew 25:34 – 40

A missionary to the children

In this 20-minute documentary video by Tim Lawrence, Joseph shares his testimony and talks about his work as a missionary to children. He explains the big challenge that CFCM face in Malawi – persuading the national church to value children, to recognise the need for Gospel-centred children’s ministry, and to support and encourage Sunday school teachers and children’s workers.

Our thanks to Tim Lawrence for capturing the work of CFCM on video, helping us to envisage life in Malawi and the day to day work of CFCM.

Choosing the Right Way

The Easter school holidays in Malawi is a great opportunity to gather children together for a whole week of fun and games – and most importantly Bible teaching. That’s why the CFCM Easter 5-Day Club is always an important part of the annual programme. This year’s event took place in Salima, and the theme was “Choosing the right way”.

CFCM goes to Nkhotakota

Preparation for a CFCM Sunday school teacher training seminar starts several months in advance. It was the first weekend in January when Elevate Mizinga visited the executive of the pastors’ fraternal at Nkhotakota to talk to them about the importance of children’s ministry and the need for Sunday school teachers to receive training so that they can present the Good News of Jesus Christ in age-appropriate ways.

Praying for the displaced children of Malawi

Malawi has been in our news programmes – once again for the saddest of reasons. Cyclone Freddy has caused devastation in the Southern region of Malawi. Days of heavy rain have not just caused catastrophic flooding in the low-lying Lower Shire area, but even the commercial city Blantyre, that sits at over 3000 feet above sea level, has seen some of the most tragic scenes.

20 Years of Children for Christ Ministry

Elevate Mizinga was one of the founding members of Children for Christ Ministry in 2003, and 20 years on she is still leading the ministry. We asked her about the early days of CFCM, how things have changed, and what particular lessons she has learned over the years.

Good News of Great Joy

“Today in the town of David a Saviour has been born to you; he is the Messiah, the Lord. This will be a sign to you: You will find a baby wrapped in cloths and lying in a manger.” (Luke 2:11-12) The story of the first Christmas is being told to 280 children gathered for CFCM’s Christmas outreach to children in Phalombe. Children in Malawi have very different lives and needs from children in the UK, but the need of a Saviour is universal. As well as bringing gifts, the Christmas message was front and centre of CFCM’s event.

Fire for children’s ministry among CFCM trainers

“Thank God for this training. In fact, since I joined children’s ministry I have seen God being on my side and now CFCM has given me even more fire for the ministry”.

These are the words of one of CFCM’s volunteer trainers who attended this month’s Refresher course at Phalombe. Some children’s workers can feel very isolated and receive little encouragement. The Refresher course was a wonderful opportunity for CFCM’s trainers to have fellowship with others involved in the same ministry, to be reminded of the training received some years ago, to be updated on new issues, and gain more practical experience under the eyes of the CFCM staff team.

Likomo & Chizumulu Islands Training

A young boy on Chizumulu Island with his homemade guitar

“Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?” (Romans 10:13-14). This little boy on Chizumulu Island had probably never heard the Gospel explained to him in a way he could understand – until CFCM visited his island this summer.