12

REFERENCES

Medgett, B. A. (1961) The Blessing of a Christian Home. Horizon,

January - March 1961.

Muwowo, A. (2001) Missionary Spotlight Zambia: The gospel in

Zambia. Evangelical Times [online]. Available from:

http://www.evangelical-times.org/Articles/May01/may01a08.htm

Accessed on 17 April 2007.

Sylvester, C. (1967) The Fiwale Hill Bible School. South African

Baptist, September 1967. Cape Town: Bible Institute of South

Africa.

ContentsContents

Introduction………………………………………………….2Introduction………………………………………………….2

Derek Harris (1959 Derek Harris (1959 -- 1960)………………………………….3 1960)………………………………….3

Basil Medgett (1964 Basil Medgett (1964 -- 1967)………………………………...4 1967)………………………………...4

Graham Ingram (1969 Graham Ingram (1969 -- 1976)……………………………...5 1976)……………………………...5

Michael Eaton (1976 Michael Eaton (1976 -- 19771977)………………………………..6)………………………………..6

John Symons (1978 John Symons (1978 -- 1979)…………………………………7 1979)…………………………………7

Joe Simfukwe (1979 Joe Simfukwe (1979 -- 1990)………………………………...8 1990)………………………………...8

Alfred Nyirenda (1993 Alfred Nyirenda (1993 --1997)……………………………….91997)……………………………….9

Nigel Lacey (1999 Nigel Lacey (1999 -- 2004)…………………………………..10 2004)…………………………………..10

Ronald Kalifungwa (2006Ronald Kalifungwa (2006——date)…………………………...11date)…………………………...11

References…………………………………………………...12References…………………………………………………...12

2

INTRODUCTION

The biographies of Lusaka Baptist Church pastors have been

compiled to fill in a gap of information in the history of one of

Zambia’s oldest Reformed Baptist Church. The church has been in

existence since 1959 and has had nine pastors. It is important to

have some record of the men that God has raised in the past to

preach the word and serve God’s flock in the pastoral ministry.

It is my hope that this booklet will enable men in our churches to

realize the importance of the preaching and pastoral ministry and

search themselves to see if God could be leading them to serve him

in this way. It is my hope too that others will write about other

aspects of the history of Lusaka Baptist Church and also other

pastors and church leaders in our Reformed Baptist and Evangelical

Churches.

The writer to Hebrews urges us to “remember our leaders” and

remember the outcome of their faith. This booklet seeks to help us

remember our leaders by highlighting their early lives, conversion,

call to the ministry and family lives. Also highlighted is an

appreciation of the ministry at Lusaka Baptist Church of each of the

pastors and the wider ministry within and outside Zambia. God

richly bless you as you read these short biographies.

Gabriel S Konayuma

April 2007

11

etc. Lacey also preached

churches within Zambia. He also preached regularly at Church Conferences at

Metropolitan Tabernacle in London and preached at the Zambia Reformed

Conferences. His preaching was passionately evangelistic and warmly

Kalifungwa, Ronald (2006 - ) Ninth pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. Has also been pastor of Fairview

Reformed Baptist Church in Mufulira and Lynwood Baptist Church in Pretoria.

Kalifungwa was brought up as a Roman Catholic and for a

long time believed that he was a Christian. Although he did

occasionally indulge in open sin, he was for the most part

taken up with religiosity. The Lord used the influence of

friends and a brother, Kunda and the preaching of Joe

Simfukwe pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. While sitting in

a service at LBC in early 1981, he was made to see that he

was a sinner in need of salvation. Later that day he

confessed his sin and pleaded with the Lord for mercy. He

developed a love for reading after conversion. This with a

combination of listening to a message tape on the five points of Calvinism con-

firmed him in the Calvinistic faith.

The Lord began to impress upon Kalifungwa’s heart a desire to preach the

gospel while he was studying Mechanical Engineering at Northern Technical

College (NORTEC). At times he almost quit studying to enter the preaching

ministry. In 1986, he got a job with the then Zambia Consolidated Copper Mines

(ZCCM). The conviction to preach the gospel grew deeper at this time. He

bought a lot of good theological books. He also preached in colleges, universities

and churches. He preached almost every week at the youth fellowship at

Riverside Chapel. He received a call from Central Baptist Church (later renamed

Fairview Reformed Baptist Church). Kalifungwa became pastor of the church for

ten years. The Lord blessed his preaching and pastoral ministry with the church

growing in number. The church eventually moved from meeting at a school to its

own building.

Kalifungwa accepted a call to become pastor of Lynwood Baptist Church in

Pretoria, South Africa in 1998. The Lord blessed his ministry at the church and

also other churches within South Africa. He also preached at various conferences

in South Africa and has preached a number of times at the Zambian Reformed

Conferences. Kalfungwa became the ninth pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in

2006. Conrad Mbewe, pastor of Kabwata Baptist Church preached at the service.

Kalifungwa preaches on television on a weekly basis. He also lectures at the

Reformed Baptist Preachers College.

Kalifungwa got married to Sarah in 1991 at Lusaka Baptist Church with Alfred

Nyirenda officiating at the wedding. This marriage has been blessed with three

sons: Kunda, Mumba and Chisomo. Kalifungwa has counseled a number of

youths in courtship and those married.

10

Lacey, Nigel (1999 - 2004) Eighth pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. Gifted writer and expositor of the word.

Has preached at Church conferences in Africa and Europe.

Nigel Lacey was born in Suffolk, England on 30th

December 1942. He became a believer in Christ in 1954

at the age of 12. He worked as an Engineer for fifteen

years before he became a pastor. He accepted the call to

become pastor at Lusaka Baptist Church in 1998 and

took up office in 1999. He previously been pastor for

eighteen years at Bethesda Baptist Church in

Stowmarket in England. He had also conducted pastoral

training at Trinity Baptist Church in Nairobi in Kenya

from 1996 to 1999. After leaving Zambia, Lacey

became pastor of Hope Baptist Church in England until

he went to be with the Lord in August 2007. Whilst at Lusaka Baptist Church,

Lacey preached regularly from different books of the Bible. Notable books

preached on include Ecclesiastes, Romans, John etc. Lacey also preached

regularly on a thirty minute television programme: Opening the Book. Through

this programme, Lacey’s ministry extended to the whole of Zambia. He preached

on various spiritual issues by faithfully expounding the Scriptures week by week

on Wednesday’s.

Lacey preached at church conferences on the Copperbelt and Lusaka and other

churches within Zambia. He also preached regularly at Church Conferences at

Metropolitan Tabernacle in London and preached at the Zambia Reformed

Conferences. His preaching was passionately evangelistic and warmly

devotional. He also wrote a number of publications in publications such as

Evangelical Times, Grace (UK), Grace and Truth (Kenya), and LBC Record

(Zambia). His writings are refreshing as they are easy to read and yet deal with

very important issues. Notable publications include Pastors and Elders as

Physician of Souls, The Latest Moves in Evangelical Unity, God’s Plan for the

Local Church and Apostles and Prophets. Lacey was also a lecturer at the

Reformed Baptist Preacher’s College where he also served as Principal.

Lacey was married to Margaret until the Lord called him home to glory on

14th August 2007 after a heart attack. Their marriage was blessed with two

daughters. Memorial services were held for him in the UK and Zambia. In

Zambia the memorial service was held at Lusaka Baptist Church. Video clips

were shown and brief memorials given by those who loved and served the Lord

with him. Lacey is remembered for his passion and love for the Lord and his

simplicity and warnings against the danger of materialism and couples leaving

separately in different towns and countries. His warmth and intensity in his

public prayers is something one can not easily forget.

3

The biographies of Lusaka Baptist Church pastors have been

in this way. It is my hope too that others will write about other

aspects of the history of Lusaka Baptist Church and also other

The writer to Hebrews urges us to “remember our leaders” and

call to the ministry and family lives. Also highlighted is an

Harris, Derek (1959 - 1960) First pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. Played a pioneering role in establishing

the church.

Harris was called to be pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church on 1st January 1959.

Claude and Charles Kidwell (brothers) were pioneers in establishing the Church

and were key in calling Harris to Lusaka Baptist Church. Though the

congregation was small initially, it grew in strength and numbers leading to the

construction of a church building. Lusaka Baptist Church was constituted as a

church on 2nd July 1961 with the building being opened for worship on 23rd

October 1961. Harris was married to Barbara. They appear to have been a

hospitable couple as Mary Philip a member of Lusaka Baptist Church at the

times writes “He (Derek) and his wife were very good to me”. Harris returned to

Scotland in 1960 after serving as pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church.

4

Medgett, Basil (1964 - 1967) Second pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. Instrumental in establishment of Baptist

Churches in Luanshya, Ndola and Lusaka.

Medgett was born on 1 January 1924 in Whitstable,

Kent, England. He attended Faversham Grammar

School. He was born in a Christian home where the

example of Christian parents meant a lot to him. His

father, Cyril, was a lay preacher of the Church of

England. Medgett learnt of the of the gospel from his

parents. He became a Christian at the age of fifteen

during a series of special services held in his home

town. His parents hoped he would become a Minister

of the Church of England, however the Lord had other

plans. Medgett was posted to then Southern Rhodesia

while serving in the Royal Air Force in World War Two and joined the

Bulawayo Baptist Church. Medgett did this after coming to see the Scriptural

pattern for the Church.

For some time he was convinced that the Lord wanted him to serve in business

life, however with time the Lord led him to the ministry. Medgett later was of

Ndola Baptist Church (where he was the second pastor) in the early 1960’s. He

also started Luanshya Baptist Church in 1957 and the church was finally

constituted in 1958. Medgett also served as Principal of Fiwale Hill Bible

College which he established in Ndola rural in 1961. He started a course of Bible

instruction for men whilst there. He laid a good foundation on which the work

has continued and increased.

Medgett became pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in 1964. At the time he was

being called, the church was struggling financially with the income being less

than the budget, yet Medgett still accepted the call! Such was his commitment to

the cause of Christ and the gospel! Medgett left Zambia for Canada in 1967. He

served as pastor of Argyle Road Baptist Church in Regina from 1967 to 1974 and

the Olivet Baptist Church in New Westminster, B.C. until 1977. Apart from that

he was also a part-time lecturer at the Baptist College in Vancouver. His special

interests were history, reading and world affairs. He married Katie Kroeker on

22nd May 1954 at a mission station in Southern Rhodesia. Katie lives in Canada.

Their children are Kathleen and Dayle. Dayle is senior pastor of Westview

Baptist Church in Canada. Dayle is married to Dawn who is in charge of the

children’s ministry.

Medgett died after a short illness in 1983 in Canada. Funeral services were held

in the First Baptist Church, Lorne Street and Victoria Avenue.

9

at LBC guided him into considering the pastoral ministry. He preached

Love is Willing to be

Scripture Union, Zambia Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and Nurses

The Ten

Nyirenda, Alfred Gevara (1993 - 1997) Seventh pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. Passionate preacher of the

gospel. Preached rare series on “Lessons from Questions”. Counselled a number

of youths in courtship and married couples.

Nyirenda was born in Lundazi District of Zambia. He

grew up as a typical village boy. He did his primary

education at various schools in Eastern province. The

secondary school education was done at David Kaunda

Secondary Technical School from 1967 to 1971. Nyirenda

became a Christian in August 1969. He later started

attending church services at Lusaka Baptist Church.

Nyirenda did an Education degree and specialized in

Mathematics at the University of Zambia. While at

University he was exposed to Reformed doctrine after

reading Reformed literature. He sensed the call to the

pastoral ministry while studying at UNZA. He later taught Mathematics at

Kabulonga Boys Secondary School. He was also an examiner for Mathematics.

Nyirenda went to Spurgeon’s College for ministerial training and completed the

studies in 1984.

Nyirenda married Tina in 1978. The two were and still are a hospitable couple.

This marriage was blessed with three children i.e. Chawezi (boy), Lusungu (girl),

and Tumbikani (boy). Nyirenda has been involved in counseling a number of

young people preparing for marriage. He has officiated and preached at a

number of weddings on the Copperbelt and Lusaka. Nyirenda has been pastor of

Kitwe Chapel and Lusaka Baptist Church. Nyirenda has also been involved in

looking after orphans.

Nyirenda’s ministry has always been characterized by a strong evangelistic

emphasis and many have attributed their conversion to Christ through his

ministry. He preached a number of evangelistic sermons at Lusaka Baptist

Church and other churches. Whilst at Lusaka Baptist he preached on a series

“Lessons from Questions”. Notable sermons on this series are: Will a Man Rob

God, Did God Really Say, What Will Profit a Man if he Gains the Whole World?

etc. He has also preached from the book of Philippians. Nyirenda has also been a

regular preacher at Scripture Union camps and rallies and Zambia Fellowship of

Evangelical Students camps and conferences. He was also a key preacher at the

Elbycites in the 1980s. This group met annually to look at various doctrines of

the Reformed Faith. His preaching ministry has also extended to other churches

within and outside Zambia. Nyirenda was also a lecturer at the Reformed Baptist

Preacher’s College in Lusaka where he also served as Principal. He is currently

an elder at Mount Makulu Baptist Church in Lusaka.

8

Simfukwe, Joe M (1979 - 1990) Sixth pastor and first Zambian pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. One of the

longest serving pastors of Lusaka Baptist. Was instrumental in popularising

expository preaching in Evangelical and Baptist Churches. Played a leading role

in establishing Baptist churches in Zambian urban towns. Conducted a lot of

weddings and wrote many booklets.

Simfukwe was born in 1950 in Jombo Village in North-

ern Province where he did his primary and secondary

schooling. He later went to do his secondary school

education in Scotland. He later studied at Glasgow

University from 1969 - 1973. He became a Christian in

1970 at university. He studied Theology at Spurgeon’s

College in London from 1976 - 1979. He also did

postgraduate theological studies in Australia from 1990 -

1993. He worked as an Agricultural research Officer in

the mid

Simfukwe was called to be pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in 1979. The elders

at LBC guided him into considering the pastoral ministry. He preached

consecutive expository sermons through various books of the Bible. Some of the

notable series that he preached on were the Ten Commandments, Romans,

Ephesians, Minor Prophets, Song of Solomon. He also preached on subjects such

as The Promise of the Father, Evangelistic messages at Family Guest services

during Easter and Christmas and other special occasions. Some sermons

preached during Christmas Guest Services include Love is Willing to be

Misunderstood and Saving Sinners is a Messy Business. He also officiated and

preached several weddings of a number of church members. Simfukwe’s

preaching also extended to other churches and para-church organisations such as

Scripture Union, Zambia Fellowship of Evangelical Students, and Nurses

Christian Fellowship. He has also preached sermons on radio and television.

Simfukwe has written a number of publications. These include: The Ten

Commandments, Courtship Notes, The Promise of the Father etc. He also used to

write pastoral letters every month in the Lusaka Baptist Church newsletter.

Simfukwe was also pastor of Priory Street Baptist Church in the United Kingdom

and Gymea Baptist in Australia. He obtained a Masters degree in Theology in

Australia in 1990.

Simfukwe played a leading role in establishing Baptist Churches in urban towns

in Zambia. These proved useful for Christians that got jobs outside Lusaka.

Simfukwe is currently Principal of Theological College of Central Africa

(TCCA) where he teaches biblical studies and pastoral theology. He married

Alice in 1975 and has two sons: Gome and Kondo, a pastor in Indiana, USA and

three daughters: Sibo, Tamira and Charity Suwilo who live in Ohio and Indiana.

5

while serving in the Royal Air Force in World War Two and joined the

also started Luanshya Baptist Church in 1957 and the church was finally

Medgett also served as Principal of Fiwale Hill Bible

Ingram, Graham (1969 - 1976) Third pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. Played a leading role in seeing the

church change from primarily serving the Europeans and expatriates to an

indigenous church with a major outreach to students.

Ingram was born near Sheffield in the north of England.

His family was not Christian. He became a Christian in

1955 when was eighteen years of age and doing

compulsory military service. A few months before he had

been strongly influenced by two young men who were

preaching in the street. Through their words the Holy Spirit

convicted him of sin. Six months later after meeting some

more Christians, and seeing Christ in them, he knelt by his

barrack room bed - in front of 20 other soldiers - and

surrendered to Christ. Ingram was educated at the King

Edward VI Grammar School in Retford, Nottinghamshire;

the City of Sheffield Teacher Training College and

Spurgeon's College in London.

From early on in his Christian life Ingram was aware of a call to preach. It was

whilst was training to be a teacher, in 1958, that his pastor spoke to him about the

possibility that God wanted him in the Christian ministry. He went to study at

Spurgeon’s College. In the early years the college carried the cost of his studies.

His family had rejected him because of his faith and determination to preach. He

was not allowed to visit his home for four years. God supplied all his financial

needs. In the latter part of his theological education he received government

bursaries.

Ingram become pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in January 1969. Before that he

pastored South Lee Baptist Church in London. Other churches where he

ministered include Wynberg Baptist Church in Cape Town, Vineyard

Fellowship, Grace Fellowship all in Cape Town. Others are Long Beach

Metropolitan Community Church in California, Wycliffe Baptist Church in

England and Fish Hoek Baptist Church from 2004 as missionary and assistant

pastor.

Ingram’s ministry played a great role in making LBC burst its seams in terms of

membership of a large multi-racial church. He was influenced by the preaching

of Martyn Lloyd-Jones, and systematically and passionately expounded the

Scriptures. Ingram pioneered evangelistic outreach to various secondary schools

and UNZA. Many students came to Christ through the special evening services

for students. The membership of LBC grew to over 200 in those years. This led

to the extension of the church building. Ingram preached from Romans,

Ephesians, Revelation and topics such as Revival, Prayer, “People who met

Jesus”. Muwowo (2001:1) says “the pastor preached with such intensity that

some convicted of sin could not leave their seats at the end of a service.

6

Eaton, Michael (1976 - 1977) Fourth pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. Expository preacher and prolific writer

of many Christian books including commentaries on a number of books of the

Bible.

Eaton was born in 1941. He came from a very ordinary

family in London. He became a Christian (late 1950s)

when he was a teenager through a youth group in an

Evangelical Anglican Church. The Billy Graham cam-

paigns in London may also have played some part in his

salvation.

He did his Bachelor of Divinity at Tyndale House

Cambridge. He then entered the ministry as a curate

(assistant minister) at an Anglican church in Surrey,

England. In 1967, he resigned from the Anglican ministry on theological grounds

and joined an Evangelical Free Church in south-west London. In March 1969 he

moved to Zambia where he and his wife Jenny joined Lusaka Baptist Church and

later became a deacon and an elder. From early days in the church he taught an

adult bible class, and preached frequently on Sundays. He studied for a year at

UNZA doing a teaching diploma. He began teaching English at Libala Secondary

School in 1970 and remained there until 1976. In 1976 he became the pastor of

LBC when Graham Ingram moved to Cape Town.

Throughout his ten years of residence in Zambia he used his gift as a Bible

expositor in building up Christian groups at UNZA, speaking at student

conferences, church conferences, starting the Zambia branch of the Evangelical

Library, counselling and inspiring many individuals. Eaton has written more than

forty Christian books, most of them specially written with African young people

in mind; but they have a much wider circulation. His doctoral research at the

University of South Africa was on the Christian and the Mosiac law. Eaton has a

longstanding connection with Westminster Chapel in London and has written on

the theology of Dr. Martyn Lloyd-Jones. He has lectured in the Baptist

Theological College of Southern Africa, Nairobi Evangelical School of Theology

and Nairobi International School of Theology. After a brief period back in

England studying and writing, he became pastor of Nairobi Baptist Church from

about 1978-1982. He then moved to South Africa to pastor Rouxville Baptist

Church, Johannesburg where he pioneered multiracial ministry.

Eaton has been pastor of Chrisco Christian Fellowship in Nairobi since 1986. He

married Jenny whom he met in the UK in 1968. Jenny was born in Kenya though

she is originally from England. They have two sons and two daughters i.e. Tina is

married to Roger Gysling and lives in Switzerland, Calvin is in London, Carey

married Stephanie in 2003 and they live in Australia. Trevecca married Jason

Tiro in 2005. They also live in Australia.

7

Symons, John (1978 - 1979) Fifth pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church. He has also served a pastor at Kitwe

Chapel, Portswood Church and Mkushi Christian Community.

Symons was brought up in Bristol, England of a

Christian background that was mostly Brethren. He

became a Christian at Southampton University in

England where he was studying Geography. He

later did a teaching certificate at Bristol University.

He taught Geography and other subjects in a

comprehensive school in Bristol. Symons has three

sisters all Christians. One lives in USA and the

others in USA. He married Gwyneth in 1975. This

marriage was blessed with four children all who were born in Zambia. One of

them is Andrew. The last born has a Zambian name Mwila.

Symons was convinced of the need to serve as a missionary overseas while

teaching Geography in Bristol. The sense of being called went as far back as his

conversion and also encouragement from his parents. He trained at Dorothea

Mission Bible School in Pretoria, South Africa as a self-sponsored student.

Symons was asked to become pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in 1978 after the

church had been without a pastor for a year. His role was more of

encouragement, direction setting and building unity. Symons played a leading

role in developing a church full of youths zealous for the Lord who later had

leadership roles in the country. The first Zambian elders, Joe Simfukwe (who

later become pastor of the church) and Cephas Yandila were appointed at this

time. In the first twelve months, many became Christians and almost sixty-six

getting baptized as believers. Symons has also been pastor of Portswood Church

in Southampton, UK in 1986, Kitwe Chapel and Mkushi Christian Community in

Zambia. Symons has been pastor of Mkushi Christian Community since 2002.

He has been instrumental in planting local churches in Mkushi and Serenje.

Gwyneth, the wife has been assisting with managing the finances in the Church.

Symons has a heart for evangelism and urges those seeking the ministry to be

prayerful and given to the study of God’s word.

Symons has preached from the Gospels, Acts, Romans, Ephesians and most

Pauline epistles. Other books preached on are Genesis, Psalms, Song of

Solomon, Daniel and other prophets both .