Three pastors including Southern Africa Indian Ocean Division Vice President, Dr. Hopeson Bonya, graced this year’s Biwi District Year-End Get Together held on Sabbath, 29th December at Mchesi SDA Church.

The coming of the Division Vice President raised the hype of the event which was officially organized to bid farewell to the district’s outgoing Pastor, Mark Adrian Thomo Chisale and welcome the new Pastor, Dr. Ernest Khonje.

Leading by example, the Vice President made the best and honorable use of the pulpit, as he spoke unsparingly on the need for Christians to make the world a better place to live. Reading Genesis 5:28 -29 as leading text, the Vice President indicated that Noah was expected and believed to bring comfort to the people who labored on a cursed ground.

“You are the salt of the earth, when the world is getting bad, you have to make things right. Christians should realize that by being the salt, they should bring peace when there is violence”, Said the Vice President.

Pastor Dr. Bonya further encouraged the flock to work diligently for the Lord, realizing that they are living in the last days and the world is in great need of the truth.

“You must always work as if the whole world is relying on you. Work diligently for the Lord in whatever task you have been given. You can only give what you have and the gospel is what you have”, he said.

In his opening remarks, Pastor Bonya,who reminded the gathering of the humble beginnings of the three churches of the district, commended the church for continuity and growth emphasizing that the work of the church is often started by some people and finished by others. He further encouraged the church to continue opening branches and avoid very big congregations. Bonya further told the congregation not to be satisfied with where they are but aim at spreading further.

The get-together was spiced by singing groups from the three churches of the district which include: Beulah Land, Church Choirs and the District’s Mass Choir among other notable groups.

Following later in the afternoon was the presentation of gifts to both the outgoing and incoming pastor. Jesus ways, individuals and the district at large presented their gifts to both pastors.

Speaking on behalf of the event’s organizing team, the chairman of the committee Elder January from Biwi Church commended the district for the unity displayed in bidding farewell to Pastor Thomo and welcoming Pastor Dr. Khonje. He went on and thanked the church for their contributions for the gifts and management of the event.

Representing and speaking on behalf of the District, Chitani, the first Elder of Mchesi Church, commended the church for the continued unity and echoed the voice of Pastor Dr, Bonya on the need of opening branches. Elder Chitani also thanked Pastor Thomo Chisale for his spirit of empowering leaders and providing guidance.

“Through your empowerment and guidance, we have learnt a lot of things and we have developed a strong bond with you. We wish you well as you take on your new role at the Conference,” said Chitani.

In his remarks the incoming pastor, Dr. Khonje called on the church to love God, pray unceasingly, be united and remain faithful.

“This is the time to intensify our love for God and prayers. If we are united the devil will flee from us. We need to be faithful to God and to one another. The unity displayed today symbolizes we are people preparing to go to heaven”, said Dr. Khonje.

He also commended the flock for appreciating the services of the outgoing pastor. The Pastor further encouraged the church to continue honoring and appreciating the services of their leaders when they are still alive and pleaded for the continuity of relations established with Pastor Thomo Chisale.

Speaking last in a short sermon was the outgoing Pastor, Thomo Chisale who read Mark 11:28 and called the church to come to Christ with whatever problems and burdens they have.

“Let’s leave the burdens of 2018 behind and come to Christ. If we take with us these burdens they will enslave us in 2019,” he said.

Pastor Chisale further thanked the church for the gifts and all the support the church has been giving during his ministry in the district.

Pastor Thomo Chisale has served Biwi District for close to four years and has since been transferred to Central Malawi Conference where he is now The Principal of Voice of Prophecy Bible School.

Pastor Dr. Khonje was serving Lilongwe West district and has served for 4 years before coming to Biwi district.

Biwi District has three organized churches; Biwi, Mchesi and Area 22 with one branch under Mchesi Church.