AFRICA

Laurent Ramambason

Laurent Ramambason is my name. I am a university professor, a pastor and president of the FJKM Faculty of Theology.

As a participant in 1984/85 TIM and many other CWM programmes in the late 80’s, 1990’s and early 2000’s, I have witnessed & experienced the Hong Kong money windfall. In 1998, I was appointed secretary for mission development and education, at the heart of the CWM bureaucracy at Ipalo House, which boasted to have the means to “earth of the vision”.

I was the first manager of the so-called Mission Programme Support Fund. The absorption of the money was fast because of the respect paid to the mission priorities and governance of member churches.

Three years on, I was kicked out the job by intriguing causes, with unbelievable consequences. Now, CWM has an outstanding staff –perhaps more free from politicking, a great website and imaginative programmes.

If I hold some position of responsibility again within CWM, I will stand for four things: * more respect for the governance & mission priorities of member churches, * get out of the trap of the problem-solving & blame-game mindset, * express more gratitude to the British by, among others, building upon the gospel they first brought to us, * focus more on facilitating encounters especially between victims & perpetrators, between the Savior and savees. Encounters help us become new and contribute to the new that so many long for.

I love Diamond, my wife.

Zara Natolotra Razanandimby

I am Zara Natolotra Razanandimby, from the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM). I recently got my Masters in Linguistics and I am now trying to prepare my doctorate.

I am now a part-time lecturer at the public University of Antananarivo, teaching: English linguistics at the Faculty of arts and humanities; French Linguistics at the Confucius Institute and English as a second language at the Department of Sociology. I am also giving lectures at the Ravelojaona University, belonging to the church and at ISTS, a private institute for social workers. I am a Sunday school teacher, a Catechist, a Shepherd and a former scout leader in my church. I enjoy reading and music.

I was part of YWET program, held in Jamaica in 2019. It is a CWM program about women empowerment: enhancing women’s lives and personal fulfilment. We had one-month training about gender mainstream, women and leadership and the status of women within the church and in the society. After this program, I was involved in a workshop with mainly female pastors where I had to lecture about "Empowerment through language". They have this workshop twice a year so as to improve their leadership skills and the authority.

Those previously illustrated attributes plus my: faith in God, positive attitude, communication skills, willingness to learn, self-management and team management, resilience , capacity of adapting to new circumstances and my thinking skills make me a qualified church delegate at CWM.

Vololoniaina B. Rasoavelonirina

I am Vololoniaina B. Rasoavelonirina. I belong to the FJKM (Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar). I am married to a physician and we have three children. I am a journalist, a trainer and a project administrator. Having obtained my BA from the University of Antananarivo, I specialized in radio journalism in Germany. I have been working with the FJKM Radio for 23 years now.

Meanwhile, I became a UNICEF Consultant due to my interest in children and their education. I developed my career in this sense and sought to improve the quality of education in Madagascar. I undertook an intensive, highly specialised training in Evidence-Based Methods of Instruction hence I have been managing one of the FJKM School projects since 2015.

My previous involvement with CWM includes my contribution to the CWM Africa Region Strategic Plan in 2010. I also participated in the CWM Global Communications Network Programme held in Taipei, where I learned many key issues like the challenges facing communicators and the role of internal and external strategic communications in faith-based organisations.

Though not called to be a minister, I completed my theological studies for lay Christians in 2005. I am privileged to represent the FJKM media at many church meetings abroad. Many times I have experienced multi-cultural work environment. I am also a member of the Board of Directors of an ecumenical organisation dealing with HIV-AIDS. In my free time, I enjoy reading, singing or playing violin.

Irako Andriamahazosoa Ammi

I am Rev Dr Irako Andriamahazosoa Ammi, President of the Church of Jesus Christ in Madagascar (FJKM)

I was a lecturer at the University of Antananarivo until I got elected as President of FJKM in August 2016. I got involved into theological studies and ministries, and I have been an ordained FJKM Pastor for over 30 years now.

My skills and experience in education enhances my ministry. I was appointed as principal of a Theological Seminary in Antananarivo on my first commissioning after my pastoral studies. I was then appointed to minister a church that has a school for 12 years at FJKM, Ambohimalaza.

I did my missiological studies in Birmingham, UK during 2002-2003. During these studies, I was privileged to be assigned to work for the marginalized people. On my return, I was assigned to both minister at an FJKM Parish of Androndra and lecture at the FJKM Faculty of Theology. Added to these responsibilities I was elected President of Sunday School National Branch for 12 years and the President of Pastors association of my Regional Synod.

When I was elected President of FJKM, I set a vision to flood Madagascar with the Gospel - the reason why I set a challenge with the National Council members to implant FJKM churn at 407 burroughs I praise God for enabling the church achieves this vision.

My leisure time includes reading, gardening, writing of books and poems that are all used by FJKM churches for church management and evangelisation for over 30 years.

Criszelda Heyman

I am Criszelda Heyman, a young lady with a passion for serving and ministering to young people. I am a member of the UCCSA Namibia church, where I have had opportunities to humbly serve my church and youth organization over the years as a member and as a leader for the youth. I have also served the UCCSA Namibia Synod as the Youth Convener from 2016 to 2019, where I engaged in fellowship and ministry with many young people over Namibia. I am very goal orientated and determined, and it gives me great pleasure in serving my church and young people.

CWM graciously funded my studies in my second year, whilst I was studying at the University of Namibia for my Bachelor of Accounting Honors degree. I am very hardworking and determined to be a successful Internal Auditor.

I am very adventurous and enjoy being outside in nature by either hiking or horse riding or anything I that is fun. Most importantly, I enjoy spending quality time with my family and friends.

I had the opportunity to attend the CWM Youth Discovery Program in 2009 and the CWM Africa Youth Conference in 2016 where CWM has equipped me and installed precious values in me and in my leadership as a young leader.

Gilda Amélia Litsure

My name is Gilda Amélia Litsure from Mozambique. I was born August 25th, 1957. I am a Minister's wife married to Reverend Arão A. Litsure. I have 3 children and 7 grandchildren. I am a Sunday School teacher and Children Ministry Convenor at the Mozambique Synod.

I have a Christian based Kindergarten School where I work with children from the ages 2 to 6. For 8 years I have worked at the Council of Churches of Mozambique as Executive Secretary of the Women's Department.

I have known about CWM through my church, UCCSA as well as through the Council of Churches. I attended the February 2020 Pre-Assembly of CWM in Botswana. Generally, I am a loving person and an active member of my church.

Kudzani Ndebele

I am Rev Kudzani Ndebele, an ordained minister in the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA), one church in five countries (Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa and Zimbabwe). I am currently the General Secretary of the UCCSA, a role I assumed in January 2020. Between 2008-2019 I served as the Executive Director of the Kuruman Moffat Mission (LMS founded in 1816); from 2014-2019 had an added responsibility as the Chief Executive Officer of the Moffat Mission Investments. I bring vast exposure in ecumenical relations, church administration and management, strategic thinking and visionary leadership.

My mission work with the CWM mission work backdates to year 2002. I participated in the CWM Training of Trainers in 2002 (Lilongwe), and 2003 (Johannesburg). Thereafter I have participated at the Africa Region Members Mission Forum, Africa Region NIFEA Colloquium, CWM Assembly in Jeju, CWM AMM in 2017, General Secretaries biennial meeting and etc.

To provide vision and leadership as leader of church and society. Building capacity for doing mission in church and in society in response to sophisticated socio-political and geo-economic contexts. To care, love and be in solidarity with the disadvantaged peoples of our society. Manage Projects and programmes with various stakeholders and other ecumenical bodies with a quest of eradicating life denying forces.

Oversight on mission planning and mission development programmes of the UCCSA across all five countries, liaising on missional direction with global ecumenical partners. I am also passionate about economic justice, social transformation and community development.

Sikhalo Cele

I am Rev. Sikhalo Cele, a peace building practitioner, ordained minister, doing my doctoral studies on peace building and healing of memories. I am the president of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa and also the programmes and training manager of the Ecumenical Church Leaders Forum a Peacebuilding institution that has grown globally. I have participated in international platforms such as ‘The future of peace training in Europe and beyond’, ‘Global Partnership for the Prevention of Armed Conflict various regions and continents’, Lutheran World Federation international programmes and engagements, ‘Global Action Against Mass Atrocity Crimes’ among others.

I have been involved with the CWM events in Zambia, the youth Programme in South Africa where I conducted a Bible Study for the CWM Global Youth Forum held on 22 - 28 August 2017, the Mexico conference on Resisting Empire and Militarization and presented a paper on ‘Building a missional Congregation (focusing on Militarization and Conflict Resolution) at the Council for World Mission 05 - 09 April 2018.

I am a leader, an ecumenist and a peace building practitioner with a vast knowledge of peace building initiatives in some countries within Africa and beyond. I feel I can make a contribution to the CWM. I cough young people and teach through social media platforms, engage in healing broken relationships, reading and studying. I am a free and outgoing person with cross-cultural appreciation and a leadership who believes in democratic and consultative approach to leadership as a way of ensuring that power is exercised with others.

Innocent Bwalya Kangwa

I am Innocent Bwalya Kangwa married to Ruth with two children. I am serving in the United Church of Zambia (UCZ) at Synod as Financial Secretary, the position I have held since August 2012. I am an Accountant with over 25 years of experience in different organisations with expertise in Auditing, Financial Management and Management accounting. I hold an Association of Certified Chartered Accountant (ACCA) part qualification and pursuing an MBA-Finance and Accounting with the University of Zambia, with financial support from CWM.

My involvement in CWM activities begun in the year 2012, when I joined U.C.Z. Since then, I have consistently attended CWM Southern Africa Region meetings, representing UCZ. In the year 2013, I represented the General Secretary at the CWM Annual General meeting which was held in Singapore. In the year 2014, I was nominated by CWM to be a member of the first-ever Team visit to Nauru Congregational Church in the Pacific where I ably contributed with other Team Members and the Church in Nauru, experiences and different approaches used to develop life-affirming communities (Missional Congregations concept development). Further, I was nominated by UCZ to participate in the three NIFEA Colloquia seminars held for the Africa Region.

I fit the profile for the Treasurer position because, I am hard-working, possess necessary technical skills, experience, qualifications and strategic thinking techniques, I have acquired over the years.

In my free time, I participate in fund-raising activities, reading and watching soccer.

Bertha L. Makanga

I am Bertha L. Makanga, I am single. I just recently completed my studies at the University of Zambia where I was pursuing a Bachelor of Arts with Education. I congregate in the United Church of Zambia where I have been a Sunday school teacher for the past 6 years and counting.

Aside from my role in church and work, I love to cook, I engage in farming and am an entrepreneur who strives to help as many people as I can through various business ventures.

I am extremely passionate about working with different people and that is why I occupy myself with activities that require me to meet various people; activities such school orientations, church youth activities and evangelisms. Additionally, I am very well organized, goal oriented and hardworking.

From the few CWM members meetings that I have attended, I am confident to confirm the growth and positive impact that the CWM family has had on me including strategic thinking, being selfless, the importance of change no matter how uncomfortable it might be and most importantly the power in unity and oneness.

I believe the unique traits that I possess that qualify me as my church’s delegate as youth representative is as a result of my hard and earnest work inside and outside the church and my dedication and commitment to the work of the Lord. I strive to reach out to the masses and to bring hope to the hopeless through everything that I do.

Rodwell Chomba

I am Rodwell Chomba, an ordained church minister in the United Church of Zambia. I am married to Getrude, together we have two boys. I currently work as a Presbytery Bishop for Lusaka, a role held since January 2013.

I trained in Mindolo and graduated in 1996 with a diploma in theology, in 2000 l enrolled for my B.Th. and graduated in 2004 with a bachelor in Theology. In 2006, l enrolled for my LLB at the University of Zambia and graduated with a bachelor of laws in 2010.

I have known CWM from my very early years as a church minister, some of the church ministers who have worked in our church as well as lay workers came to the UCZ through CWM. An interesting fact is that LMS (which is part of CWM) set up a mission station in Mbereshi and it became the headquarters for Central Africa, with this attachment l have participated in CWM regional activities hosted by the UCZ twice in Lusaka, the latest being in Gaborone this year 2020.

I am a highly committed servant leader who enjoys building and maintaining Christ centered relationships. I am committed and dedicated to promoting peace, justice and reconciliation in a diverse society. All organizations operate within certain laws within the land or the organization itself. Therefore, l come as a lawyer and church minister, the combination makes me a leader. I like reading, walking, family time within and out doors.

Charity Chanda Mutambo

I am deaconess Charity Chanda Mutambo. I am married to Mr Francis Mutambo and God has blessed us with four children, two boys and two girls.

A diakonia worker (the community development worker) in the United Church of Zambia. I am based in Lusaka presbytery, where I have worked as a convener for community development and social justice committee for four years.

My passion is so much with women and young girls. I enjoy working on empowerment projects with them both inside the church and the community.

I have only attended the CWM Pre-Assembly meeting which took place in February, 2020 in Botswana. I was delighted to be a part of this experience.

During my free time, I enjoy reading, singing and listening to gospel music. Being surrounded by my kids brightens my life.

Lungile Mpetsheni

I am Lungile Mpetsheni, an ordained minister of word and sacrament in the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA), since 1989. I have also served as the General Secretary of the denomination since September 2014 (serving the second term of five years). The UPCSA is in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe and is extending to the Democratic Republic of Congo.

I have participated in several CWM meetings and processes, including the 2016 Assembly in Jeju Island, Korea; General Secretary’s meetings in Hong Kong 2015, Wales in 2017 and New Zealand in 2019; and Africa CWM Regional process. As the General Secretary, I promote the CWM programmes in the denomination and facilitate participation in CWM programmes by the UPCSA ministers and members.

My personal attributes include strategic planning and management, visionary leadership, leadership capacity development, scenario planning and communication.

My academic qualifications include a PhD (Theology), Post Graduate Diploma in Strategic Studies, Senior Management Programme, National Diploma in Education, Training and Development.

Lydia Neshangwe

I’m an ordained minister of the UPCSA, a transnational denomination with churches in South Africa, Zambia and Zimbabwe.

I’m based in Zimbabwe where I am currently serving as the Presbytery Clerk. I’m married to Paul, who is also a UPCSA minister.

I engage in church and society via my various passions which include:

• A Passion for Wholeness for All: And so, over the past few years, I have found the CWM theme of ‘Healing’ to be stimulating and an avenue through which I explore and engage in bringing healing to the society around me.
• Leadership Development: I have a passion for the development of good leaders at all levels of the church and the society.
• Cross-cultural Affairs: My passion for building bridges in the cross-cultural arena is a result of my having a multi-cultural background: born and bred in Zimbabwe, studied Commerce in South Africa, then studied Theology in Colorado, USA. Currently I pastor a culturally diverse congregation where issues of integration are our daily bread and butter.
• Ecumenism: I am an ecumenist at heart and engage in multiple ecumenical leadership assignments. I am also the Presbytery’s Ecumenical Relations Convenor developing, maintaining and overseeing the church’s local and international partnerships as well as its religious and non-religious partnerships.

When I’m not doing my formal work, I’m busy with my family of two fun boys, two active dogs and 140 attention-demanding chickens, or I’m hiding from them all behind my books from around the world.

Afika Rwayi

I am an undergrad Construction student at Walter Sisulu University, and I was informed about your organization through the Africa Region Pre-Assembly that was held in Gaborone, Botswana. I have a strong interest in the field of Human Rights. I feel that my strongest attribute is my ability to work well under stress. I have had to learn how to cope with the stress and remain productive. I firmly believe that stressful situations provide us with opportunities to grow- both personally and professionally. In short I view stress as an opportunity to rise to the occasion and learn more about myself. I feel that this trait can provide me with benefits regardless of the situation I find myself in.

Reading is my main hobby. I’m an avid reader and I try to read at least one non-fiction book every quarter. What I like about reading is that it can transport me to another location while I’m still in my house. I’ve been attending book club meetings as well. I enjoy discussing what I’ve read with others and it’s interesting how many points of view and interpretations you get to discuss.

Servant leadership is the philosophy I intend to follow as a program participant and alumni. I want society to benefit from my education and to gain prestige as an institution providing innovation for the greater good.