Zambia is a landlocked country that is exceptionally peaceful, considering that it is surrounded by countries that have experienced major political struggles. Consequently, Zambia has become the recipient of many refugees. The country has a tropical climate with one rainy season lasting from October to April. Its tourist attractions are numerous, including the Victoria Falls and the Zambezi River, as well as abundant wildlife. The people of Zambia have enjoyed relative economic stability because of the maize farming and copper mining industry, yet poverty is still widespread. In 2009, nearly 83,000 people were infected with AIDS. The average life expectancy of a Zambian is only 39 years. There are 73 tribes in Zambia with four dominating languages, namely Bemba, Lozi, Tonga and Chewa. English is commonly used and understood throughout the country. Zambia has been declared an official Christian nation with 87 percent of its people proclaiming to be Christian. However, the number of immigrants from the Middle East and Asia has increased in recent years and more people now proclaim themselves to be either Muslim or Hindu.
OM ZAMBIA
In 1998, Coen and Suria Scholtz, then serving with ProChristo Global Missions Zambia (PGMZ), realised that there was a great need for discipleship training in Zambia. In time, this vision expanded to equip indigenous missionaries to bring the Gospel to unreached peoples worldwide. PGMZ became a missionary training facility located in Kabwe. In 2009, PGMZ merged with OM in order to better reach the nations with the Gospel. OM Zambia has about 80 Zambian missionaries serving in Zambia (Kabwe, Choma, Chongwe, Chipata and Ndola) and other countries in Africa.
VISION
Our vision is to see God worshipped and glorified by all the peoples of the world. Our mission is to plant indigenous churches among the least-reached people groups and regions of the world.
IMPLEMENTATION
We do this through:
The foundation for the ministry is prayer. Our Kabwe office also provides logistical and administrative support to our missionaries in the field.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVED?
You can become involved by:
CONTACT
LAKE TANGANYIKA
Lake Tanganyika is the second largest of the Great Lakes of Eastern Africa. It is the longest and second deepest freshwater lake in the world (700 km long and 1,436 m deep). The area abounds in natural resources and beauty. The lake borders four countries: Zambia, Tanzania, DR Congo and Burundi. Because of its height above sea level, the lake area is humid with very hot temperatures throughout the year. As a whole, the shores of Lake Tanganyika are characterized by under-development and opportunities for employment are scarce. The main means of survival include subsistence and commercial fishing, cross-border trading and subsistence farming. Poverty, alcoholism, prostitution and HIV/Aids are some of the socio-economic problems in the area. Malaria is the number one cause of death.
OM LAKE TANGANYIKA
When the OM Zambia leaders saw the spiritual desolation and the inroads other religious groups were making in the area, the first OM team was sent to the area in 2005, establishing their base in the harbour town of Mpulungu. The team was called the ‘Good News II’, after the vision of Dr. David Livingstone, whose plea prompted the London Mission Society to put a boat on the lake in 1886. The boat was called the ‘Good News’, bringing the Gospel to the remote areas around the lake.
VISION
The vision of OM Lake Tanganyika is to see the people living in the remote villages around the lake brought into the Kingdom of God, experiencing freedom in Christ and worshipping Him in Spirit and truth. We want to address the needs of the whole person, bringing about transformation and spreading the Gospel, ensuring that both their spiritual and physical needs are met.
IMPLEMENTATION
We implement this goal through:
Our practical ministries include a school for orphans, a mobile medical clinic boat, a prison ministry, children's and youth ministry, and hosting outreaches.
HOW CAN YOU BECOME INVOLVLED?
You can get involved with us through prayer, as well as coming on outreaches, where you will be exposed to missions and can serve in the area of your gifting.
CONTACT
Source for facts on Lake Tanganyika area: Human Resources Officer (Health Department, Mpulungu, Zambia)
Thank You, Father, for the beautiful "Heart of Africa". Thank You for Zambia's peace and economic stability despite its many restless neighbor countries. We pray that poverty and HIV levels will decrease and that Your word will break the power of Muslim and Hindu influence as more and more immigrants and refugees come into the country. Let Your church shine Your light for all to see and turn all the lost, wounded and hurting hearts to You.
Thank you for considering a gift to further the work of OM. If you have any questions, please don't hesitate to call us on 1-800-899-0432.
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