By Bishop Jeston & Rev. Charity Katebe
www.royalglobalchurch.org
The Challenge
Over the last two decades there has been a lot of Zambians who have migrated to developed countries, especially the United Kingdom and the United States, mostly to seek a better life or a good return on their education. Some have indeed become sustainers for their families back in Zambia. Zambians hardly migrated because of the good economy that the country enjoyed in the 70s and early 80s when copper was the in- thing for the industrialized countries as they were developing technologically.
Our first trip overseas occurred in 1987 and 1988 respectively, we were not even married then. Since then we’ve had opportunities of living overseas, in Scotland and Texas. This article has its roots from our experiences as Christians living away from Zambia and now in a foreign culture where our value system has been greatly challenged.
We have been able to see and hear of many Zambians who used to be strong Christians before they settled in these developed countries and now have given up on their faith. We have seen new comers come with zeal and try to find Churches to which they can belong and rebuke those who came earlier and are not committed to the Lord any more but after a few months, they also give up and opt to work on Sundays or just become Sunday attendees in order to soothe their conscience but have no fervency in their faith. When one tries to find out what really happened to them, usually the answer is that this place is different or that their boss schedules them to work on Sundays.
It is hard for Africans to assimilate into the Churches of developed countries due cultural differences and other reasons, so if one has never had this experience, it is easy to judge those who give up on Church when they migrate.
It took us almost six months of visiting different Churches before we decided to belong to one, when we came to live in Texas, so we understand the challenge of trying to find a home Church away from home. This though is not an excuse for anyone to give up on his or her faith, as faith is universal, made to survive no matter the situation or where one is. The Lord gives more grace to those in difficult circumstances. In our next article, we will be sharing some principles that have helped to maintain fervency in our faith and maintaining a vibrant Christian life in a developed country.
Today is sunday and I’m not at church. Reason? Because of xenophobia in this country, I live in a white area. The downside is I have to go to a predominantly white church.The people are very friendly and I like them but the services are boooring! I miss Zambian praise and worship.We used to sing with our hearts and souls. I grudgingly go sometimes so my kids can attend sunday school- a sunday school that sometimes puts on a Tom and Jerry cartoon for the kids to watch! So whats the point of going when they can watch Tom and Jerry at home! I would be more vigilant in finding another church in a coloured or black area if it wasn’t for crime in those areas. Any advise anyone!
jesus is only for white people….. even here in germany white’s and blacks go to different churches I love Bob Marleys church you can never go wrong. Jah Rasta… there was an incidence where a white priest warned a black cleaning woman not to pray in their church while on duty…
Iam a zambian currently living in a developed country. My faith made me join a church where I found myself as the only rare specie. I had to endure a lot of negative (racist) actions from my colleagues just to maintain fellowship. They have very wrong prejudices about the african society, and they would want to press you down. Things got worse. I couldnt endure any more ; and I just left. I have almost half a year to return home but I have second thoughts about joining another church because of what I went through. What should I do. Please help. I’ve found it hard to stay alone without fellowship.
#3 come to london
You body is the church itself i for one do not really care which church i go to because we pray to the same God. Its only when they start demonizing each other that i seat back and say as long as i know the word of God and leave a life that is not offending and that i am fair they i do not really need a church building to reassure my faith in God. By myself i will have ups and downs and i seek some comforting from others which is normal even those that go to church everyday do the same
Thanks Bishop Katebe for this uplifting message. I was a culprit of all that you have said above. It is however even better to have been reminded of those days at Royal Family Church.
to those who say their churches were “racist” surely you should have stayed and helped change their views. what use is your faith otherwise? if the christian thing is that god does not give you a cross you can’t carry, then you chickened out. that was your cross, and you left it on the ground and walked away.
i have become more spiritual the longer i’ve lived out of zambia. every problem in zambia, people say ‘we’ll pray for you’ which is total BS as they should help you, not offer up prayers to some old guy in the sky that does not exist. the religious representation of God has failed me. as a result, i’ve studied different religions and concluded that there is an order to things yes, that we cannot simply disappear when we die (this may sound cowardly to atheists)
#2 Binso Smoker, My word of advice to you whatever your ideologies or education please refrain from taking the name of the Lord in vain The Lord Jesus came to die for all and He loves you, Binso Smoker.
but i canno believe all our experiences, feelings, thoughts just disappear. nor can i believe there is a heaven or a hell…but it’s all good. read a lot, i seek the good in people and try to live out the good in me. and hope all will be well wih the world. i go to different masses, and see the good in people, no matter how different the religion, and this gives me hope in humanity.
religion just tends to divide and conquer, not unite.
If you are in Aussie land, you can have church at home with christian satellite tv in your home if you cant go to church with others. Check mychristiantv.com.au. But it is good to meet with others.
I come from a strong christian background as is the case with most zambians…but over the years i have spent here abroad i have noticed a huge diff towards religion in the sence that we as africans have been introduced to it and then taken it a whole lot further than the white people who firstly introduced christianity to us. majority of them hardly pray at all and yet they have it all…we on the other hand with our mounting poverty, disease and all that we have been taught to depend on God for salvation….am a christian but these issues play in my mind we build churches back home instead of schools…we congregate to pray much longer than spend some time to develop talents that can be used for the developemt of our impoverished nations….my thoughts only
Losing faith in the Lord God is something so difficulty for those who are really His Own. The word says ‘they went away from us coz they were not part of us” What It mean is that a child of God ofcourse strays away sometimes from God but he or she comes back quicly to God again. Why…this is coz of the Holy Sprit who abides in hm/her has been sadened and this will make a child of God not t not be at paece. Hence he/she will run back to his/her God to seek comfort and hapiness- this is for those who were genuinly born again but those who were not when they stray , they go forever since in the first place they had no Holy Spirit. LET ALL THOSE WHO ARE HIS RETURN BACK TO THE LORG GOD.
So Bishop Jeston and Rev Charity why did you leave the flock behind? The article doesn`t say!
Keep the faith fight the race as Paul said, It will be not an excuse to say that people were not friendly or its borring, any way God has the answer pray for direction then for sure he will direct your step.
Please where ever you are do someting for GOd today and he will bless you.
Thanks People and remember GOD loves you all
Our church leader as he likes to be called, says beware of these Bishops, Revs and pastors in pink suits. I think he is right. Nothing personal here, but a few have left Africa to live in developed countries.
We have to be realistic here. If one works Monday to Friday, starts at 8 or 9 O`clock and finishes at 5, then tough! By the time one gets home, with all the traffic and all, it`s 6 O`clock. You have to eat or cook. And, then there is the small issue of child “cares” as the Brits call it. If your wife works. How about children`s activities? Mind you, maids are expensive. I am happy to attend small groups meetings once or twice in a month, but yes I am always going to be there on Sundays!
This is an answer to Sparker Jays’ (13) question. We left Zambia for my wife to go to School and as for the ‘flock,’ the Lord has blessed it with a wonderful couple, who are great ministers of the gospel. Sometimes the Lord moves people (Acts 13:1-3) for various reasons in order to create room for others. My wife is still going to School and in the process we started a Church here. In 15, good advice from your Church leader, everybody needs to be careful.
#12 kambongolo I may be wrong but I feel like you are judging those of us struggling with faith issues abroad. we still have faith, we just miss the christian fellowship that meets our needs.Africans are expressive and living among inexpressive people is a challenge. example my friends father passed away.I was about to go to the funeral house wailing only to be told “here we leave the family alone to mourn.”I could not even go comfort this friend. church folks here have such solemn disposition even as they sing REJOICE! I miss Zambia when we sing tulemitolela iwe Lesa, your spirit soars,excitement fills your heart as you dance and praise God for all he’s done. Ok I’m of to sing ,just remembering has uplifted me!
Ba Pastor, haven’t you observed that church in the Western World is business? It is totally different from the UCZ, Catholic and SDA that we left back home. Here these are corporations with franchises in other States and churches are found at every corner and every Sunday these buildings are full some with 3 services, the is if these are doing the Holy work, who is committing sin we see in the Western World if not the same people? Check the records of the Pastors. Remember the lawsuits in California with priests? Remember Colorado Pastor-Evangelical Leader Haggard, who was cheating with the gay prostitute? Remember the big cheat and fraud of the world, Pastor Jimmy Swaggart, and those on govt investigations for like Pastor Dollar. That is why we stop but pray at home.
Church going or even church is not a biblical requirement. The word that is in the original scriptures is EKKLESIA and unbeknowgst to most christians the word ekklesia is used even in the old testament. When I moved abroad when thing I learnt is that the people that told africans to start going to church(muzungus) are way smarter and hide a lot of church history and africans are still under mental slavery. Theres nobody in the bible that ever went to church on sunday’s or was condemned for not showing up at a stain glassed building with a pastor/priest to tell you about the bible. The bible tells us to have a RELATIONSHIP with YHWH through scripture reading and obedience not join churches
Am with you slumdog shalapungu…the man made church doctrines have so far been imbaded in us Africans..maybe these muzungus are cleverer after all..they convincingly layed upon us only what they wanted us to believe and probably foresaw the results….i have great issues even with the catholic/ pope whose doctrine is againts the use of condoms when the African population is at the verge of extinct from a disease (MATENDA YA AIDS) that i also believe was created in order to maintain the western phamaseutical empire which in turn sustains the job market for them…again my thoughts only
The migrants have found it increasing difficult to follow their faith due to pressure of work , which includes working on all sundays, as that gives them more pay for their financial security…
YES there are great challenges here on someones faith: but what matters is how much you love the Lord, and not how much money you have.even back home in Zambia i have seen rich people who trully love God. and have also seen poor people who donot have any love for GOD : LOCATION IS NOT THE ISSUE but do you love GOD? skin colour doesnt mean any thing with GOD:: BUT YOUR HEART :: GOD DOESNT CONSIDER ANY SKIN COLOUR you can love GOD in poverty and in prosperity the bible says who ever calls up on the name othe Lord shall be saved
Here in the uk people consider God to be for black people: now we want to prove to them that God created all races that is why i feel GOD hasnt brought me here to build an A FRICAN CHURCH but for all races; and all sauls belong to GOD AND NOT TO TRADITIONS AND CULTURE
#17 Thanks.Good to hear that you live in Texas.My Pastor is moving there from the UK,having planted multicultural churches in the major cities.He is no ordinary pastor going by the results I have seen as a member.From my experience as a christian moving to another place has always had an impact on my life.One does not have to move to a developed country but there is always something about moving.Maybe it is something to do with who is your spiritual father and that is why I am planning to move to the USA to follow my shepherd.I am used to a certain christian diet and would not wish to be malnourished…
We are catholics but 6 years ago when we came to the United Kingdom, in the first few months we had to go to Anglican church which was nearest to where we used to live. The church members just like most british people were very friendly and welcoming. We will always remember them in our prayers.
My disappointment in most of your comments, people, is that you are missing the “BIGGER PICTURE”!! Like someone dispelled all thoughts I had about what bible to buy or read by telling me whatever bible it is, if you diligently follow the word of GOD, all are good. The BIGGER PICTURE, therefore, is not who likes or doesn’t like you, racist or not, white church or black, but GOD. Ask yourself why you go to church. The answer therefrom will tell you if you are missing the point. The church is not about individuals but the hunger to have a relationship with GOD. You talk of Swaggered and the like. The word of GOD says none of us is without sin. Nor does it say once you are born again temptations no longer hound you. That’s the time you shud be on guard thru the holy spirit. DON’T…
Going to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day saints is cool because where ever I am can find my congregation and participate fully in worship and church callings. The gospel is the same redardless where we live. Hold on the word at home or abroad.
Very interesting article and thought provoking. It is very true the spiritual atmosphere in the developed countries is lukewarm and for some of us who thought that by coming to the USA we would experience revival because of the Christian TV channels we were watching back home got a shock. Anyhow what the Lord has told me is that he still has a remnant like the 7000 prophets who had never bowed to baal and God has brought us here for a purpose to bring the revival from back home to the developed countries. My encouragement is for all of us to keep praying and travailing for these places we are in . God is faithful and he will definately fulfil his promises. My suggestion is for someone to start a prayer line (tele conferencing line) where we can meet as Zambians to pray on a daily basis
and once a month for an overnight prayer meeting. I believe there are a number of free teleconferencing lines. I know of some Ghanain and Nigerian groups who hold these daily prayers. God bless Zambia.
For those who know their God and are committed to their relationship with Him will not find excuses not to fellowship. Once you are alone the devil can easily take advantage of you. This is why we need other Christians for fellowship, protection, encouragement, correction etc. Start even a Bible study in your house for a few people and you will be surprised how many people are really looking for real Christians. You will be amazed that many have no time for felowship but have time to visit bars and such places. I have lived in the USA for about 3 months and though I lived in an affluent area I still found a good place of worship. Go there to give them something and not just to take.
From the raising of the sun to the going down of it, let the name of Jehovah be praised!
Mukantedwa-USA , I am in tears that you are lost my brother. Please come back to the True God of the Bible. Do you know those Mormons called you mud people as early as tomorrow. May the Lord Jesus save you and bring you back because you are headed to hell on a concorde.
by Maria Mwanza, Lusaka
There is a feeling of despair, anger and fear with regard to what is unveilingbefore our eyes. We, as a nation, have sunk back to the era associated with draconian rule, intimidation, threats, violence, patronage, mediocrity – the list is endless.
My advice to fellow citizens is that we shouldn’t look to the courts for justice, but we should look to God for He falters not on his word and promises. He enthrones and dethrones kings.
We should not despair because before dawn comes the darkest hour. We are at the threshold of dawn. The misrule we are all witnessing from President Rupiah Banda and his government is reminiscent of the darkest hour before dawn even as experienced by the children of Israel before Pharaoh could set
Banda and his government is reminiscent of the darkest hour before dawn even as experienced by the children of Israel before Pharaoh could set them free (Book of Exodus). God deliberately hardened his heart so that his downfall would be so final and the victory for the children of Israel so triumphant. He finally let them go at a great pain and cost to his people.
I see the MMD government as that of a Pharaoh refusing to listen to the voice of reason, basking in the thought that their rule is eternal, hiding behind the power that the office affords rather than behind the power of the people, taking comfort in the thought of a win in another sham election victory, finally mistakenly taking comfort in the thought that they are presiding over a docile people who will not stand up to such…
finally mistakenly taking comfort in the thought that they are presiding over a docile people who will not stand up to such misrule. Pharaoh must have had similar thoughts, I can imagine!
And so I think that what we are witnessing in Zambia is the curtain fall, not raiser on MMD rule. Perhaps what we need as a nation is to find Moses and Aaron quickly.
God Bless Zambia