THE ORIGINS AND GROWTH OF MICHIRU CCAP CHURCH

MICHIRU PRAYER HOUSE

Christians from Chilomoni Township, about 5 (five) kilometers away, used to congregate at St, Michael and All Angels CCAP Church within the Henry Henderson Institute (H.H.I.) established under the influence of Scottish Missionaries namely Henry Henderson and Kolvin. After congregating at St Michael for some time, the Christians from Chilomoni grew in number and Late Mr. Saulos Khoromana initiated the idea of having a Prayer House in Chilomoni. He, together with Mr. Mnenula, Mr. Msewa, Mr. Yobe, Mr. Boldwin Tsakama established the Prayer House in the middle of 1960s. The Prayer House met a number of challenges that led to slow growth and these challenges include:

1. People around Chilomoni found it hard to leave their traditional practices like drinking alcohol which is not in line with Christian values and also practicing unchristian dances e.g.Nyau.
2. Christians were not committed to giving offerings during Sunday services since they were ignorant of the need of giving.
3. times of sickness and death, it was very difficult to get hold of the Pastor whose residence was at H.H.I.
4. Some of the elders who were picked during the early days of the prayer house were drunkards, though others were fully converted and understood Christian values. A very good example being Mr. Boldwin D. Tsakama who was picked by Mr Saulos Kholomana, an evangelist, and gave him responsibilities at the prayer house like.

A visiting pastor, Rev. Mphatso was the one who was responsible for the prayer house. The number of Christians grew that by the time of being accorded a session, the number of Christians at the prayer house was way above the required minimum number of 200 Christians.

MICHIRU CCAP CHURCH

After some years, as the Prayer House grew, it was time to upgrade it to a full session. This was done in the year 1984 and the first resident Moderator was Rev. Felix Chingota (now Rev. Dr Felix Chingota), the first session Clerk was Mr. Boldwin Tsakama and his deputy was Mr Mitunda John Luka Mbeta from 1980 to 1991. Other key members were: Mr. Saulos Kholomana (who was an Evangelist), Mr. Msewa, Mr. Mnenula and Mr. Machelo.

As membership grew bigger, the small sun dried brick and grass thatched church became too small to accommodate everyone that came to worship, therefore the leaders came up with an idea of constructing a modern and bigger Church. The actual construction of the present Church started in August 1985 under the supervision of Mr. Fenneck Gunda and the first builder/foreman was Mr. Macdonald Chikoti who was assisted by Mr. L.B. Likomwa and Mr. Saulos Kholomana.

This self-help project had methods devised to fundraise for the construction of this bigger Church such as:

1. Drama was performed by the following youths then such as Geoffrey Mopiha, Samuel Mwale, Steve and Henry Nkata who for instant, managed to raise K25.00 during one of their shows in October- November 1985.
2. There was a door to door collection every Sunday from all members of the church.
3. Choir festivals.
4. Big walks and at times Golden Sundays.

The estimated cumulative total cost of construction up to the date of official opening of the Church building is K9,000,000.00(Nine million kwacha). Key people who were behind the construction project in the early years were; Rev. Felix Chingota,Session Clerk, Mr. Boldwin Tsakama, his vice Mr. John Mbeta, building chairman Mr. Sangaya, Secretary Mr. D.M. Sindi and Treasurer Mr. Gomeza while Mr. F.N. Gunda was the site Engineer.

The major challenges over the years of constructing the church building were:

1. The source of finance
2. Where to find bricks, sand and other building materials.
3. Little commitment from most members.

After struggles, the Church was built and officially opened during the General Assembly of the Synods and all the delegates came to witness the opening ceremony. Rev. Dr. Silas Nyirenda who was the General Secretary of General Synods as well as General Secretary of Livingstonia Synod, led the group to open the Church . Rev. Silas Ncozana and Rev. Saulosi Chitsulo were also in attendance. At that time the Moderator of the church was Rev Dr Silas Ncozana who was also the General Secretary of Blantyre Synod and the Session Clerk was Mr. Boldwin Tsakama and his vice was Mr. John Mitunda Mbeta.

KEY SUCCESSIVE SERVANTS OF GOD AT MICHIRU CCAP CHURCH

Successive Session Clerks

PERIOD OF OFFICE	SESSION CLERK	DEPUTY SESSION CLERK	1ST ASSISTANT SESSION CLERK	2ND ASSISTANT SESSION CLERK	3RD ASSISTANT SESSION CLERK
1980-1991	Mr. Boldwin D. Tsakama	Mr. John M. Mbeta
1991-1995	Mr. John M. Mbeta	Mr. George Masangano
1995-2000	Mr. George Masangano	Mr. Fyner Bakali	Mr. Robert Kunjawa
2000-2002	Mr. Fyner Bakali	Mr. John M. Mbeta
2002-2005	Mr. Fyner Bakali	Mr. Francis Maganga	Mr. Geoffrey Mopiha	Mr. Owen Chimwaza
2005-2008	Mr. Francis Maganga	Mr. Geoffrey Mopiha	Mr. Robert Katole	Mr. Augustus Mtambo
2008-2011	Mr. Fyner Bakali	Mr. Hastings Zidana	Mr. Augustus Mtambo	Mrs. Effie Maziya
2011-2013	Mr. Alfred Kaponda	Mr. Geoffrey Mopiha	Mrs. Chrissy Kamunga	Mrs. Linly Munthali
2013 to 2016	Mr. Alfred Kaponda	Mr. Geoffrey Mopiha	Mr. Martin Msimuko	Mrs. Chrissie Kamunga
2017 to 2019	Mr. Stenley Chingaipe	Mr. Dereck Kabango	Mrs. Chrissie Phoso	Mr. Joel Chapola	Mrs. Ester Gwaza
2020 to date	Mr. Ovilera Mangisa	Mr. Michael Jere	Mrs. Rexa Kasambiza Chiipa	Mrs. Sella Nyirenda Msimuko	Mr. Bobbex Chinthu Banda

Successive Moderators

1. Rev. Mphatso when it was a prayer house
2. Rev. Dr Felix Chingota from 1984 to 1987
3. Rev. Dr Silas Ncozana from 1987 to 1991
4. Rev. Stainford Mchenga from 1991 to 1995
5. Rev. William Mabeti (late) from 1995 to 1999
6. Rev. Thomas Maseya from 1999 to 2002
7. Rev. Jackson Njewa from 2002 to 2005
8. Rev. Andrew Chimenya from 2005 to 2007
9. Rev. Bensly Makonde from 2007 to 2010
10. Rev. Moyo in 2010 for only one week and he was not inducted
11. Rev. Reynold Mangisa from 2010 to 2013
12. Rev. Paul Mawaya from 2013 to 2016
13. Rev. Lazarus Kadango from 2017 to 2022
14. Rev. E Mpate from 2022 to date

Successive Associate Ministers

1. Rev. Thokozani Chilembwe from 2018 to 2022
2. Rev. B Matikanya from 2022 to date

Successive Finance Chairpersons

1. Mr. Supuni Phiri
2. Mr. Freeman Mughogho from 2002 to 2005
3. Mr. Geoffley Sangaya from 2005 to 2008
4. Mr. Misheck Munthali from 2008 to 2011
5. Mr. Maxton Chilabade from 2011 to 2013
6. Mr. Blessings Sibande from 2013 to 2016
7. Mr. Mphatso Banda from 2020 to date

Successive Congregation Treasurers

1. Mr. Glomico
2. Mr. Steven Kamwendo from 2002 to 2005
3. Mr. Geoffrey Sadyalunda from 2005 to 2008
4. Mr. Mjuda Banda from 2008 to 2011
5. Mr. David Nyirenda from 2011 to 2013
6. Mr. Golden Chinyama from 2013 to 2016
7. Mr. Misheck Kayuni from 2017 to 2019
8. Mr. Maxton Chilabade from 2020 to date

Building Committee Chairpersons

1. Mr. Gomeza
2. Mr. Donald Nyakwawa
3. Mr. Njelwike Kayuni
4. Mr. Alfred Kaponda from 2005 to 2008
5. Mr. Jack Mdala (Late) from 2008 to 2011
6. Mr. Geofrey Sadyalunda from 2011 to 2012
7. Mr. Steve Musopole from 2017 to 2019
8. Mr. Steve Musopole from 2020 to date

Evangelism Committee Chairpersons

1. Mr. Robert Kunjawa from 1991 to 1995
2. Mr. Chikwembani in 1995 (4 months)
3. Mr. Donald Kaliya from 1995 to 1999
4. Mr. Stain Maonga from 1999 to 2003
5. Mr. Robert Kunjawa from 2003 to 2007
6. Mr. Augustus Mtambo from 2007 to 2009
7. Mr. Ben Chinsesera from 2007 to 2011
8. Mr. Augustus Mtambo from 2011 to 2013
9. Mr. Augustus Mtambo from 2013 to 2016
10. Mr. Shadreck Lijanga from 2017 to 2019
11. Mr. Shadreck Lijanga from 2020 to date

Fundraising Committee Chairpersons

1. Mr. Fyner Bakali
2. Mr. Francis Maganga
3. Mrs. Rexa Chiipa from 2008 to 2011
4. Mr. Jeremiah Kanzota from 2011 to 2013
5. Mr. Jeremiah Kanzota from 2013 to 2016
6. Mrs. Rexa Chiipa from 2017 to 2019
7. Mr. Benjamini Chipeta from 2020 to date

Chairladies of Mvano

1. Mrs. Kholomana
2. Mrs. Saeluzika
3. Mrs. Chirwa
4. Mrs. Zamadenga
5. Mrs. Chimwaza
6. Mrs. Kumanda
7. Mrs. Mawerenga
8. Mrs. Kumanda
9. Mrs. Evelyn Mbungo Zidana from 2020 to date

Mai Oyendera

1. Mrs. Effie Zilima (when it was a prayer house)
2. Mrs. Norah Mtupanyama
3. Mrs. Catherine Kamowa
4. Mrs. Norah Mtupanyama and Mrs. Kasiya (together because of the growth of the church)
5. Mrs. Norah Mtupanyama and Mrs. Kachama
6. Mrs. Lizzie Kachama and Mrs. Henet Banda

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