Ministry News: Central Baptist Church (Botswana) (December 2005)

The work is cosponsored by Kabwata Baptist Church in Zambia and Lynnwood Baptist Church in South Africa as principal partners and financially supported by other churches in Africa and overseas. The work was launched on 16 May 2004 after advice from the government of Botswana that we could start meeting, albeit with restrictions, while waiting for completion of the registration process.

I resigned my job as Senior Project Metallurgist on 29 April 2004 and immediately, on 1 May 2004 became fulltime missionary pastor to pioneer this missionary endeavour.

Church Registration

Application to formally register the church under the name Central Baptist Church was submitted to the registrar of societies at the regional office in Mochudi in December 2003 and moved to the HQ in March 2004. There was no response until August when various changes to the constitution and various other conditions were demanded for which have been duly complied with. A final response is still being awaited.

Activities

Church morning attendances that commenced on 16 May 2005 with 14–15 people (including about 4–5 children) now averages 45–55 (about 50% children up to age of 14) during non-holiday periods. The evening service that was started a month after the launch averages about 10 people.

There are four ministries in operation. The children’s ministry that ministers to about 70 children in two locations in the city, the couple’s ministry, the women’s and the youth ministries are currently in existence. Our dream, after registration, is to spread northwards towards central Botswana where most of the population is concentrated.

The Pastor’s Family

We are a family of five. My wife Sylvia, first born girl Mukupa (16) doing Grade 10, Kavuyi (8) in Grade 4 and Mercy (10) doing Grade 5 (to be adopted daughter of my late brother). We are currently operating outside Botswana pending registration of the church upon which work permit is dependent.

I visit Botswana within the allocated 90 days per year per visitor (spread across the year). In between the visits, I do work remotely through three gentlemen: Katongo Nkamba, Monametsi Moncho, and Phanuel Mweemba who function as deacons while I also help out with other church plants within Zambia.

Prayer Needs

Conversion of souls.
Church registration and work permit.
Material and financial resources for missionary endeavours in Botswana.

About the author

Kapambwe Nsenduluka is the church-planting missionary sent by Kabwata Baptist Church to plant in Gaborone. He is married to Sylvia and together they have three children.