New Chairman in Zambia

July 23, 2025 By Deb Witte

Pastor Mascrif Mulonda

At the 2024 convention of the Lutheran Church of Central Africa—Zambia held in Lusaka, the capital city of the republic of Zambia, Pastor Mascrif Mulonda was elected as the new church chairman. Pastor Mulonda serves a congregation in Lusaka called St Peter’s Mandevu congregation, which was established in 1988.

The Lutheran Church of Central Africa has seen faithful leaders coming in to serve as well as going out to serve in other endeavors. In this regard, Pastor Mulonda was elected to replace the longest-serving synod chairman, Rev. Davison Mutentami.

The following are the current members of the synodical council:
Rev. Mulonda, Synod Chairman
Rev. Mututwa Elias, Vice-chairman
Mr. Moses Tembo, Secretary
Mr. Kenneth Shibuchi, Treasurer

God willing, the Lutheran Church of Central Africa—Zambia will host the 2026 international CELC convention in Lusaka on May 29–June 1, 2026. Pastor Mulonda, Pastor Mutentami, and others have begun to make plans for this convention.

Pastor Mulonda with his family at their home

Submitted by Rev. Mascrif Mulonda, LCCA-Zambia Chairman

The Confessional Evangelical Lutheran Conference is a worldwide fellowship of Lutheran church bodies, committed to the teachings of the Lutheran Church found in the Book of Concord of 1580. Established in 1993 with thirteen churches, the CELC has grown by God’s grace to include thirty-four church bodies today.

Every three years, representatives from CELC churches gather for fellowship and theological study at an international convention. Regional meetings are held in alternate years. These gatherings provide spiritual encouragement for confessional Lutherans who often find themselves quite isolated. Visitors are always welcome at these gatherings

Joint work of the CELC includes the writing of The Eternal Word: A Lutheran Confession for the Twenty-First Century, which testifies to the unity of doctrine enjoyed by CELC churches. The CELC also has a commission to help coordinate and improve theological training in CELC churches.

Speaking about the heart and core of the CELC, former President Gaylin Schmeling wrote: “The CELC stands ready to give answer to the confident hope of salvation in Christ that is within us. It is a refuge for those seeking confessional homes and a beacon shining the light of the Gospel in a sin-darkened world. Here the central truth of the Reformation, justification by faith alone, continues to be proclaimed. We are declared righteous by nothing we do or accomplish, but alone on the basis of Christ’s redemptive work which is counted as ours through faith in the Savior. He accomplished salvation for all on the cross and announced it to all by His resurrection, declaring the whole world righteous in Christ. This treasure is brought to us personally through the means of grace and is received by faith alone in the Savior which is worked through those very means of grace.”