Kabwata Baptist Church Timeline

Kabwata Baptist Church is planted by Lusaka Baptist Church based on the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith. The first church service takes place on March 8, 1981, in Kabwata Community Hall.

After the new church was constituted, efforts were made to search for a man to take up the pastoral office. The attention of the leadership was drawn towards a young mining engineer working in the Zambian copper mines in Mufulira by the name of Conrad Mbewe. The church called him and on September 1, 1987, he came and became the church’s first pastor.

The church’s leadership changed and comprised deacons; Messrs Charles Chinambu, David Toka, Bernard Siamwanza, Dapson Mwendafilumba (who was the church secretary), Emmanuel Millapo (who was the church treasurer), Joseph Matafwali, Buta Gondwe, Kennedy Sunkutu (who was the chairman), and the church pastor, Conrad Mbewe.

By the time Pastor Mbewe came into the pastorate, Mr Alfred Nyirenda had left Lusaka to take up the pastorate of Kitwe Chapel, and in his place, Mr Stembiso Daka became the church elder. In due season, Mr Stembiso Daka left the eldership, and in his place came Mr David Toka, Dr Duncan Mugala, and Mr Wishard Yenga. In many ways, this was the first full-orbed eldership of KBC, which functioned independent of the deaconate.

Zambia Reformed Conferences started with the first conference held, comprising a pastors conference and a youth conference.

KBC adopted the 1689 Baptist Confession of Faith as its doctrinal standard after one year of Bible studies.

The church’s ministries changed and became intentionally evangelistic in the light of what was learned from the biblical expositions from the pulpit.

KBC got involved in its first missions work. The Mbewes moved into the newly-built church pastor’s house.

The church moved from the Kabwata Community Hall to the new building.

The church adopted a new constitution. Hope for the Afflicted Ministry started to address the effect of AIDS.

KBC ordained and sent out Pastor Lichawa Thole to Matero to plant a Reformed Baptist church.

Pastors Kennedy Sunkutu and Wilson Kamanga were sent to plant churches in Kafue and Choma.

Process of rebuilding the eldership commenced. Mr Sitali was included in the leadership.

Growth in the number of elders reached seven, until they lost Mr Eric Sinyangwe and Mr Mwamba Chibuta.

Ordained a missionary, Pastor Kapambwe Nsenduluka, to go and plant a church outside Zambia.

Membership reached 300

Pastoral internship program grew from 3 to 6 interns.

Two houses were bought to house interns with the help of HeartCry Missionary Society. The estate agent helped KBC find and buy the house that the church used to rent for Pastor Mbewe and his family.

Men from all over Zambia, Botswana, South Africa, Malawi, Kenya, Tanzania, Sierra Leone, Germany, and Canada participated in the internship program

KBC youth camps and conferences grew significantly, with the senior youth conference averaging 300-400 and the youth camp almost hitting 800

KBC started a Campus Outreach Ministry to deliberately focus on students in Lusaka

Two buses were purchased for the purpose of bringing students for worship services and exposing them to the work of missions

African Christian University (ACU) opened its doors to students

KBC was involved in the ACU project through its membership subscribing to the 450 fundraising campaign

KBC’s payroll grew to include 51 individuals, comprising 2 pastors, 7 administrative staff, 14 missionary pastors, 5 pastoral interns, and 23 ministry staff.