St Michael and All Angels Church, Blantyre

Global Partners: Blantyre Synod, Malawi

Wednesday August 17 2022

Continuing the series of updates from Church of Scotland partner churches around the world with CCAP Blantyre Synod, in southern Malawi

The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP) was founded/established in 1876 by Henry Henderson under the influence of the Scottish Missionary Dr David Livingstone.
The CCAP Blantyre Synod covers the Southern part of Malawi and is a member of the General Assembly which is made up of five Synods, namely Blantyre, Nkhoma, Livingstonia, Lusaka and Harare.

Number of  Congregations: 676

Number of Ministers: 220 (and 23 retired)

Number of members: 1,700,000 (approx)

What is your connection with the Church of Scotland?

CCAP Blantyre Synod has strong ties with the Church of Scotland and this is evidenced by, among other things:

• Rich history dating back from the conception of CCAP Blantyre Synod Church under the evangelistic activities done by the Scottish Missionaries in Malawi.
• A vibrant partnership in areas of spiritual development as well as moral and material support that is offered in so many areas and situations such as disasters.
• Scholarships for ministers studying in different institutions that provide ministerial or theological training.

This partnership has great significance and is extensively producing fruits that are nourishing the Body of Christ and expanding the Kingdom of God. Through the partnership, the love of Christ has been manifested, unity promoted and boundaries broken in all areas such as race and status.

What are your biggest challenges as a Church?

Economic challenges: The global economic challenges and climate change have affected developing nations such as Malawi. CCAP Blantyre Synod has been greatly affected as fundraising initiatives the church has in place have yielded little to sustain the daily operations of the church. The church is failing to ably fulfil its core mandate of spreading the good news through evangelistic activities due to financial constraints.

Rise of classical Pentecostalism: Pentecostalism is targeting the Youth and also taking advantage of the social-economic challenges that people are facing by promoting teachings that centre on healing and miracles. People are attracted to these teachings with an expectation of getting their freedom from the poverty they are experiencing.

Effects of Covid-19: The Covid-19 pandemic has left the church suffering as some members are refraining to attend church services citing fear of contracting corona virus. The church is working hard to restore what has been broken due to the effects of the pandemic and bringing back the members to rebuild the church.

What is your main focus over the next 2-3 years?

In response to the many challenges being faced, CCAP Blantyre Synod's main focus is trying to rebuild and restore what has been destroyed both spiritually and physically. The church is putting in place initiatives such as entrepreneurship ventures that would help in raising enough funds to support church operations. Besides, the church has intensified evangelistic activities despite financial constraints, reaching out to broken and desperate souls to give them hope and remain steadfast in the Lord.

CCAP Blantyre Synod will tirelessly continue to strengthen partnership with all traditional partners so that the gains and experiences continue to be manifested and ably expand the kingdom of God through the preaching of the good news.

Subscribe to Life and Work in print or digital or buy a one-off copy here

Global Partners: updates from Church of Scotland partners around the world

Uniting Church in Australia
Presbyterian Church of Myanmar
Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa
Iglesia Evangélica Española (Spain)
Church of Bangladesh