“This is How Africa Can Change!” — CapMin Zambia Reaching Political Leaders’ Hearts and Minds with Gospel

Neither COVID restrictions nor snags from an unusual election could prevent the newly-planted Capitol Ministries team in Zambia, Africa from exceeding expectations in building ministries to political leaders in their part of the world.

After a celebrated beginning that included a nation-wide televised ministry launch in 2019, the three-member team, who are well connected in political and religious circles, immediately began work to devise plans and procedures to plant discipleship Bible studies to political leaders.

Pastor Aaron Mulenga is the CapMin Zambia executive director, Rev. Chilekwa Mulenga (no relation to Pastor Aaron) is the director of administration and Pastor Bruce Chitambala is the director of programs and operations.

“We are so excited about what God is doing through our CapMin Zambia team!” Said Ralph Drollinger, President and Founder of Capitol Ministries.

“These guys are real go-getters who are passionate about their calling and the opportunity to change the hearts of Zambia’s political leaders via the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They really get this vision!”

The men bring a varied and valuable spiritual gift mix that served them well as they formed the ministry, established procedures, recruited others, conceptualized plans and procedures, and instituted them over the past two years.

“The memory remains so fresh of when we launched CapMin in the capitol city of Lusaka, and we remain so privileged and grateful to be a part of this great ministry called to reach the hearts of those in public office with the gospel” said Rev. Chilekwa.

“Zambia is alive to the mandate as inspired by God Himself to His servant, Ralph Drollinger, leader of CapMin ministries.

While COVID travel and meeting restrictions caused difficulties, since the launch the team has forged relationships with many local leaders in their Copperbelt Province neighborhoods and are ministering to them on a regular basis.

With an aim of building discipleship ministries, five ministry leaders have been recruited, with 10 more ministry leaders expected to be added by December. A main goal is to eventually launch discipleship Bible study-based ministries in all ten of Zambia’s provinces.

The team is also working to reach Zambia’s traditional leaders, its chiefs, particularly those who are aimed at community transformation.

“This may not apply in America or in the United Kingdom, but in Africa, traditional leaders, the chiefs, are very influential people. They control over 90 percent of the land,” Rev. Chilekwa said. “Once we reach the hearts of traditional leaders with the gospel, we will be able to reach more political leaders because every political leader comes from a certain province and certain chiefdoms.

The team has already built relationships with two chiefs, one of whom is also a Christian pastor.

One of the glitches they encountered in 2021 was a national election in which many people with no political experience were elected to high office. This situation caused some national disruptions as the newly-elected officials took time to become acclimated to the political process.

As a result, the CapMin team focused on developing ministries to local mayors and councilmen and worked to build relationships with the 23 members of Zambia’s parliament who are from the Copperbelt Province.

Now that the new national administration is fully ensconced, the team is working to introduce the CapMin mission to Zambia’s Vice-President Mutale Nalumango.

“She is born again, spirit filled and stands ready to support the cause of Christ in the nation of Zambia,” Rev. Chilekwa said. “We believe that by going through her office, we can introduce CapMin on a national level.”

While the team’s main focus is on making disciples of Jesus Christ among the political leaders of Zambia, they also have a larger vision. Pastor Aaron has introduced CapMin’s mission to interested people in other nations.

“We are not looking to Zambia alone, but other countries as well,” he said. “Everyone says, ‘I have never heard about this for us to be able to reach politicians!’ This is how Africa can change.”

“Quite a number of people are interested in Bible studies, they want to get to the root of all these corruption issues,” Pastor Aaron said. “They realize things will only change when we put the Word of God in the hearts of people and disciple them so they may disciple others in other places.”

Both men asked for prayer for God’s leading, for the Zambia team, that God would raise up additional ministry leaders, and for the mission of Capitol Ministries to be spread across Africa.

The Honorable Copperbelt Provincial Minister

Chief Chiwala of the Copperbelt Province

Sharing the CapMin vision with Commissioners and Commanders of Zambia Correctional Services

Sharing the CapMin vision and mission to the former Honorable Minister of National Guidance and Religious Affairs and government officials in the Copperbelt Province of Zambia.

The Mayor of Ndola

Introducing CapMin to the Mayor and Counselors of Luashya City.

Sharing the CapMin vision with the constituency of State House Special Advisor for Projects and Implementation, the Honorable Member of Parliament, Dr. Edgar Gambi.