Capitol Ministries Launches in Zambia as Millions Watch on TV
Before a gathering of 70 people, including many political leaders, a Capitol Ministries discipleship Bible study was launched to national government leaders in the Africa nation of Zambia during a live television broadcast last week.
The launch was a highlight of a week-long trip to several Africa nations by Brian Hanson, Capitol Ministries International Director, and Jon Cassel, Capitol Ministries Global Director for Africa.
During the event, which was televised to the nation’s 17 million citizens, a Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) video interview was shown with Ralph and Danielle Drollinger, founders of Capitol Ministries, who talked about the mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ among the political leaders of the world.
Pastor Hanson spoke to the gathering about Capitol Ministries’ vision to establish ministries to national political leaders across Africa. He explained that this is done by pairing local Bible-teaching evangelists with Christian political leaders to create discipleship Bible studies inside the halls of government.
He told the crowd that Capitol Ministries provides training for Ministry Leaders and free Bible studies that are specifically written for political leaders.
“When asked what Capitol Ministries expected in return, Hanson said, “Nothing,” which brought surprised looks on many faces.
“I said, ‘We want nothing from you, we only want to offer you the absolute truth of the Word of God,’ and so many of them looked us square in the eye as if searching to see if that were true. They had never heard anything like this before.”
Cassel, whose efforts have brought about much progress in establishing ministries in Africa said, “I am pleased to see those across Africa who wish to join with Capitol Ministries to see their Christian political leaders discipled and strengthened in their faith so that their countries can live under righteous governance.”
The launch is the result of much preparation, networking and planning by many, but especially Obi Onwuzurumba, Capitol Ministries Director for English-speaking African nations, who also attended.
Back Row: Guy Leonce, Jon Cassel, Brian Hanson and Obi Onwuzuruba
The Zambian pastors who make up the ministry team are Aaron Mulenga, Bruce Chitambala, and Rev. Chilekwa.
After the event, many people, including political leaders, told Pastor Hanson and Cassel that they were grateful to Capitol Ministries for bringing a ministry to national leaders, that it was greatly needed, and that the time was right.
Zambia considers itself a Christian nation and its people are represented by political leaders of many faiths. Pastor Hanson was told that when hearing about Capitol Ministries at a recent meeting, a political leader who is Muslim, listened with tears running down her face and said, “We need this. The moment is right for this to happen.”
That awareness was repeated in other nations visited by Pastor Hanson and Cassel during the July 9-16 trip. They heard from pastors and political leaders alike that this is the right time to plant Bible studies to leaders “for such a time as this” (Esther 4:14).
“We heard the phrase ‘for such a time as this’ over and over again,” Pastor Hanson said. “In fact, many of the men we met with were already teaching the Bible to political leaders one-on-one and want to join with Capitol Ministries because they greatly appreciate our tight, narrow focus and our process.”
In Tanzania, Pastor Hanson and Cassel met with a number of pastors and community leaders who were passionate about taking the Gospel to their nation’s political leaders but weren’t sure how. Upon learning of Capitol Ministries’ methodology, several people joined with Capitol Ministries and work is now underway to establish a national ministry.
In Kenya, Pastor Hanson and Cassel met with a pastor who is an elder in a large-congregation church that is attended by a number of political leaders. This pastor, too, feels called to minister to leaders and has been doing so one-on-one. He is considering joining with Capitol Ministries.
Ministry leaders from the African nations visited on this trip received some training from Pastor Hanson and Cassel and in December, they will travel to the United States to attend Capitol Ministries’ full training course at the annual conference in Washington, D.C.
“These ministries could mean an awakening among the African nations,” Pastor Hanson said. “There is an awareness of an almighty God in some of the nations, some even call themselves Christian nations, but that doesn’t mean they have humbled themselves and given themselves over to His ways and implemented biblical principles in their lives.
“We heard so often during the trip that they want to learn the Word of God and we want to teach. They are hungry, eager, ready and we have told them, we are not interested in changing your laws, we are interested in changing your hearts.”