30 August 2005

	Malawi's President, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika attended the celebration

On July 31, 2005, the Africa Evangelical Church (AEC) of Malawi held their 100-year anniversary celebration at Lulwe, the mission's first station in that country once known as Nyasaland. The AEC church traces its roots back to the work of the mission in Malawi, which began in 1900.

The President of Malawi, Dr. Bingu wa Mutharika, attended, arriving in his presidential helicopter. His attendance was a great honor to the church and mission. (see photo)

The celebration included two sermons, one in chiChewa and one in English. SIM Associate Director of Malawi, Ryan Hannah, gave the one in English on the theme of "Ebenezer : Moving Forward in Faith." He exhorted the church to give God the glory for the successes of the last 100 years and to move forward in faith in God. He closed with a brief presentation of the Gospel message. The full event has aired on national radio twice and once on television.

SIM (formerly Africa Evangelical Fellowship) entered Malawi in 1900 and God blessed their work with strong churches, especially in the south. These formed the Africa Evangelical Church (AEC) which now includes 65 organized churches and 100 developing ones. One hundred years later, mission and church together are experiencing a fresh vision for reaching still unreached areas in the north and east. In particular, God is calling SIM to reach the Yao people with the love of Christ.

SIM and the AEC also provide leadership training for church leaders through the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi (EBCoM) in Blantyre. SIM also provides theological education through the African Bible College (ABC) in Lilongwe. At this facility, missionaries are teaching, ministering to human need through the ABC medical clinic, and providing Christian education at the children's Academy. Through HOPE for AIDS, mission and church are responding daily to the growing HIV/AIDS epidemic (about 15% HIV prevalence among Malawian adults).

With a strong and growing church, some consider this nation most open to the message of Jesus' love in central Africa. Yet much work remains to reach the unreached people groups and to strengthen existing churches. The Yao people, nominal Muslims, are receptive to new ideas, and SIM is praying for more workers to serve among them. Would you pray for this with us?

If you would like to know more about serving the people of Malawi in capacities ranging from HIV/AIDS work, medical and health ministry, theological education, children'ss work, evangelism or church planting, please view our list of current openings or contact your nearest SIM office. We look forward to hearing from you!