Snuggled at the base of a mountain in the core of Malawi, the "Warm Heart of Africa," Chilomoni sounds like a cozy place.

Lately, however, the Chilomoni Africa Evangelical Church has been feeling a little too cosy for comfort. Having outgrown their current building, the congregation packs together every Sunday morning.

When the church first outgrew its seating capacity, members adapted and stood in the back of the room. But numbers have continued to swell, and the situation has gone beyond "standing room only." There are Sundays when some are left to peek in through the windows, unable to fit inside the building.

Sacrificial Giving

For nearly 20 years, the church has held Sunday services at the Evangelical Bible College of Malawi (EBCoM). Originally meeting in classrooms, the church's blossoming attendance mandated a move into the college's dining hall. Though encouraging, this growth presents a challenge.

Meeting in the EBCoM facilities has limited ministry potential. With no place for midweek meetings or even weddings and funerals, the church cannot hold a position as the core of the community and is missing outreach opportunities.

Both the Chilomoni Church and SIM recognize the need for a new building. We are working in partnership to raise the necessary funds.

Fundraising can be difficult no matter the location, but there's an extra challenge in a country where the average income is approximately USD $1 per day.

Regardless of the obstacles, the congregation has banded together, holding bake sales and choir festivals, and digging deep into their own pockets to sacrifice what they can for the promise of a new church building.

"Big Sundays" are held following a Friday payday. While money is still fresh in hand, the congregation holds celebratory services, during which they encourage each other to give what they can. The people of Chilomoni have worked to embody the biblical idea of a cheerful giver.

Their efforts have brought in an impressive amount, and construction has long since begun on the new building. More than 200,000 bricks were prepared, and the framework has been put into place.

With a solid foundation and brick walls, the new church stands as a promise to the community. It gives a sense of permanence and stability after so much time in temporary locations.

New Building, No Roof

But funding has stopped short of providing for a roof. While the people of Chilomoni have not lost hope in the potential for the new church building, the existing structure has taken a beating.

Left without a roof for more than three years, the building has been subjected to the heavy rains of the Malawi wet seasons. The baptismal is perpetually filling with rainwater, and just as the current facility has been "overgrown" by people, the roofless new building is becoming overgrown with grass and weeds.

By car or minibus, and also on foot, the Chilomoni Church members come from all over the Blantyre area to the service on Sundays. They have faith that the new building will be completed and that soon the church will be able to flourish and cultivate disciples of Christ in new ways.

Give

If you would like to partner with the church to serve the Lord in Chilomoni, please contact your SIM office or donate online now to project #96250.