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A young man called Yesaya

Recently Elevate and Joseph had the joy of meeting up again with a young man who, as a child, gave his life to the Lord at a CFCM Bible club. Here is his story.

Success in the hardest of times

These are the words of Joseph Jeke summarizing the year that is about to close. 2023 will be remembered by many in Malawi for the devastation of Cyclone Freddy in March, and great hardship brought about by relentless inflation and devaluation of the Malawian currency. Yet Joseph continues, “Although every home has been affected, we have endured and God gave us strength to go and do his work.” Elevate Mizinga adds, “our family we never sleep empty stomach.” Elevate and Joseph not only praise God for his protection over them personally, but also find much to thank God for when they consider what has been achieved by Children for Christ Ministry over 2023.

Reliable people

“The things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.” 2 Timothy 2:2

The CFCM Training of Trainers programme started in Blantyre in 2015 with the first group of trainers. Since then the programme has been expanded to a 5-day course, and has taken place in every region of Malawi. Over thirty men and women have successfully completed the course and practical assessment, and are able to train other Sunday school teachers in their areas. Here is how some of them have been contributing to CFCM’s work.

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.