Calvary, Lake Havasu, mission team: Multifaceted ministry in Zambia

Calvary mission team members meet with pastors in Zambia.

Seventeen members of Calvary Baptist Church in Lake Havasu City left the comfort of home to travel nearly 10,000 miles to Zambia on June 19. The group was divided into three school teams, five preaching teams and one team dedicated to introducing Zambia to Celebrate Recovery.

The mission trip was part of the Arizona Mission Network of Southern Baptists’ partnership with the International Mission Board’s Sub-Saharan Africa Affinity.

The Calvary group was in Lusaka for 10 days, and the preaching teams branched out to five Baptist churches: Fairview Baptist Fellowship Church, Twin Palm Baptist Church, International Baptist Church of Lusaka, Trinity Baptist Church and Central Baptist Church.

Zambia church leaders were impressed with the transparency of those who told their stories of walking with Jesus. The stories exposed real struggles that are not commonly spoken of in Zambia, especially among church leaders. These stories showed that as Americans, we have problems, too, and Calvary’s transparency helped Lusaka church leaders see that it is all right to be vulnerable.

“I have learned that when we trust God and share our testimony, it is not only for our freedom but also gives others hope that they aren’t the only ones to experience certain sins or trauma,” said teammate Stephanie. “It encourages others to stay connected to God and helps them to know healing is possible from the worst of circumstances.”

Calvary team member Coral teaches about Celebrate Recovery Training.

During the week, school teams visited numerous schools throughout Lusaka. At the schools, team members shared their testimonies as well as the gospel with thousands of students. The teams delivered Bibles as well as new soccer balls for all the schools. The soccer balls were so well received that whoever showed them to the students was the hero of the day.

On one school visit, a team led by Pastor Mike decided to do things a little differently and opened up the visit to questions from the students. Mike was impressed by the connection made between the team and the school children and their thirst for knowledge of God.

On the second Friday and Saturday of the trip, the Celebrate Recovery Team was planning on providing two days of Celebrate Recovery training to four of the five Baptist churches.

“The heart of man plans his way, but the Lord establishes his steps.” Proverbs 16:9

Of course, everything changed on the first Saturday evening with the addition of another team member from Kenya, Pastor Jarod. Jarod is the Kenya Celebrate Recovery regional representative and has numerous contacts with various church denominations in Lusaka.

So on Monday and Tuesday, members of the Celebrate Recovery team introduced this ministry to nine additional churches, which included their pastors, bishops, other church leaders and their wives.

“The CR training was enriching and unexpected,” said Bishop Davies of God At Work Ministries. “We thought it was only concerned with drugs and alcohol but now understand it is more, so much more!”

A Calvary team member is surrrounded by children at a church in Zambia.

There was one Baptist church that was resistant to the idea of Celebrate Recovery. However, Calvary’s transparency helped the Lusaka church leaders understand that we all have issues.

Additionally, with the team members sharing their testimonies at churches and schools as well as the additional pastors spreading the news about Celebrate Recovery, the final holdout church decided they should take part in the training and adopt the Celebrate Recovery ministry as well.

The Zambia pastors thought the Celebrate Recovery training was unexpected and enriching. Most believed the program was only for those dealing with drugs or alcohol and were surprised to hear about the wide variety of issues that Celebrate Recovery addresses.

“What impacted me the most was seeing the relief wash over those in attendance when they realized Celebrate Recovery is for more than just drugs and alcohol addiction,” said teammate Coral.

“Without realizing it, church members often place unrealistic expectations on pastors. Pastors feel and respond to that pressure believing they must present an air of perfection. When the men in that room realized the freedom that is available through transparent living, their excitement to begin a Celebrate Recovery program was obvious.”

The Calvary Baptist team left a lot of excitement behind. They have been invited to return, to continue sharing the gospel in the schools, and to provide further Celebrate Recovery training. The Calvary team is excited to go back, continue cultivating relationships, and assist with the launch of Celebrate Recovery in an area where it is so desperately needed.

Terri McElrath is a member of Calvary Baptist Church in Lake Havasu City.