My name is McDonald Chongo Chanda. I am Zambian and married to Chanda Mulenga. God has blessed us with a handsome boy named Divine.
My coming to African Christian College had been one of the greatest experiences of trusting God and seeing God at work. I came to Swaziland without knowing anyone in the country. Yet God made it possible for me and my family to come and be part of the African men and women. The community of ACC has contributed enormously in my life in the past three years.
When coming to ACC I had planned on majoring in Ministry. I read thoroughly about the leadership major and how it related to the roles I held back home and what I foresee myself being involved with in ministry. My future plans require adequate knowledge of leadership skills to manage organizations and people effectively — not only in spiritual matters, but also in social issues. So I chose Organizational Leadership as my major.
Despite coming to ACC with a mindset of only studying theology, ACC has prepared me to grow spiritually, socially, and academically.
One thing that has been engraved on my life in my three years at ACC is the understanding that the church has the capacity to address all the major crises of a human being, whether social, psychological, spiritual, or physical. It is in this vein that I see to have been greatly equipped by ACC and I am more ready than ever to contribute to the advancement of the kingdom of God and society.
With the knowledge I have acquired, I intend to use it in establishing a church that is holistic in its approach in preaching God’s word. Besides preaching God’s word, my heart is passionate about helping children living in child-headed homes and those who are mentally challenged.
We say in Zambia, ‘Imiti ikula empanga’ meaning ‘growing trees are the future leaders’. I strongly believe that children and young people need help to become who God wants them to be. There are so many young people whose hopes have been destroyed due to orphanhood. I want to take part in giving hope to a child whose hopes have been shuttered by the circumstances of life.
Besides that, I intend to share the biblical knowledge I have gained with church leaders or pastors in rural area who cannot afford theological education because of either not qualifying or have no capacity of attending theological colleges. With the platform ACC has created for me to advancement in education, Lord willing, I will further my studies which will enable me to acquire adequate theological knowledge in order to help the above mentioned need of church leaders and pastors in rural areas.
ACC is not only a place where you only learn in class, but everything around the campus gives an opportunity for learning. I have been privileged to be involved in some leadership roles where I have learned about the importance of proper planning and scheduling of work.
Above all, humility has been one lesson I have learned from the elderly men and women I served with in leadership. Furthermore, the new work system has been another great experience of learning leadership roles and executing work according to the plan.
Lastly, I would like to thank the faculty and staff for the work you are doing in equipping men and women for God’s service. May you continue to be a banner for producing godly men and women who will impact Africa and the world.
To the current student, the journey you have undertaken is not easy and every day that passes is in the past. Isaiah 43:18-19 says, “Forget the former things; do not dwell on the past. See, I am doing a new thing! Now it springs up; do you not perceive it? I am making a way in the desert and streams in the wasteland”. No matter how things have been in the past or maybe in the present, God is making a way for you. Believe and hold on to him tightly.
To the prospective students, if you looking for a place for theological studies that will not only shape you theoretically, but in every aspects of life, African Christian College is the place to be and your life will never be the same.
This post is part of a series of posts from our 2015 graduating students. Today’s post is from McDonald Chongo Chanda from Zambia. McDonald graduated on 28 November 2015, with his Bachelor of Theology degree from African Christian College with a major in Organizational Leadership.