Outstanding in their field…literally. The Chongwe church planted roots in a field, and now, through faithful prayer and gifts from The Outreach Foundation supporters, their efforts are yielding fruit.

This Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) Zambia Synod congregation began as a prayer meeting launched by the Mtendere Church, 28 miles to the east of the capital city, Lusaka. After planting the seed of the Gospel through evangelistic efforts, they witnessed a harvest of two prayer meetings with 25-50 members at each.

It’s hard to teach with your back against the wall, but that’s exactly where educators found themselves in the cramped and crowded classrooms of the John Laing School – a Community School of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) in the Synod of Zambia. More than 200 eager learners were squeezed into three 5x5 meter (about 16x16 feet) rooms. The only place for the teacher to stand was against the chalkboard. Such tight quarters make education almost impossible.

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP), Synod of Zambia was constituted in 1984 with four ordained ministers, six congregations, and two presbyteries. The church continues to preach the Gospel and provide education, clean drinking water, agricultural services, children's ministry, and many other services. Well-trained ministers are needed to keep these ministries going. Ministers were previously trained in Malawi but in 2007, the church started its own school, Chasefu Theological College, with 16 students.

With support from The Outreach Foundation, Chasefu provides training in diploma and certificate programs. More than 70 ministers have been educated and are currently serving in the CCAP Synod of Zambia, Harare-Zimbabwe, and Livingstonia-Malawi.