Raphael Zimba Ministries

Raphael & Sophie Zimba

SPIRITUAL BACKGROUND

My name is Pastor Raphael Zimba of Malawi Assemblies of God.I got saved in 1992 when Nyongani Chirwa shared 2 Samuel 12:17 to me.

The calling to pastoral work was resisted many times on personal reasons.However,in 2006, I accepted the noble calling and enrolled with Assemblies of God School of Theology for bibilical training for a 4 year period.

I first pastored a church among soldiers in the barracks where I initiated church building construction which stands today.

I moved to another district where we built 3 church buildings at different worship places on self help basis.

The first church was 11 Kms from where I resided while the second was 22 Kms and the third was 25 Kms . I used a motor bike to commute to these places . Several times I walked 22 Kms to and fro because of lack mode of transport sometimes .While seeing others on 4 by 4, many times I was on 2 by 2 ‘two legs’ . I remember our second born boy asked me a question difficult to answer , ‘Dad why are some pastors rich while others poor? Grace of God,” I said trying to answer

We are now in Lilongwe capital city of Malawi but because ministers scramble for city churches mainly for their survival ,I opted for a rural one 13 Kms away.It has membership of 18 majority of them being ladies who are some widows,divorced, and deserted as spouses flock to South Africa and remarry and resettle permanently.I have adopted 3 children because of the same . All members are not employed rather substence farmers unable to feed themselves throughout the year.Some ladies carry HIV virus needing more support from church which hardly collects 14 dollars a month.

Belief in ancestral spirits has not spared the church.A wife to the secretary joined ancestral spirits.

Children who out number us fail to attend school mainly because of lack of food and clothes.At church we introduced feeding program resualting in high attendance.

I married to Sophie blessed with 2 boys and 1 girl.Sophie works as an agricultural advisor.Her salary has mainly made us survive.Her motor bike from office is a great help.She has been selected to do Bsc in Agricultaral Extension though fees is a challenge.Faithfulness of God keep us going.

CONTACT ADDRESS

C/O Pastor A. Chawinga

Heart For Nations

P.O. Box 20275

Lilongwe 2

Malawi

+265 991742833 / +265 8810748

Starting of the ministry of Raphael Zimba.

How I start my ministry!

My name is Raphael Zimba. I am 48 years old and the first born of two boys. Both parents died a long time ago. I was married to Sophie Livimbo in 1995 on 30th September. We are blessed with three children, two boys, Allan (17y) and Kelly (15y) and one daughter, Elizabeth (10y).

Allan is about to start university education, Kelly is in high school while Elizabeth is in primary school. My wife advises farmers on good methods of farming.

I got saved in 1993 while working as primary school teacher after my uncle, who works for Trans World Radio, had witnessed to me. Immediately the desire to be full time in ministry started. I resisted the call because I was afraid of my survival as I had the responsibility of looking after my mom who was old. In my denomination , many ministers fail to look after themselves because of poverty. This poverty mentality prevented me also from accepting the Lord’s call. My relatives, friends discouraged me too.

However, in 2006, the call could not be resisted any longer and I accepted. My pastor send me to the Assemblies of God school of Theology, now university, to study B.A. in Theology which I did not complete because of high fees.

In the same year 2006, I was sent to pastor a military church of Assemblies of God. God was faithful us we where the pioneers of construction this new church. This was in Lilongwe.

In 2009, I was sent to Dedza where I pastured 3 churches. The first church is 11 km, the second 24 and the third is 27km from where I stay. I use a motorcycle to reach all these places. It is a challenge and very difficult to travel due to poor road conditions and sometimes during the rainy season I fall, but I continue to bring the Word for I know that is what God has call me to. All the churches we build in FAITH and two of them is still under construction.

Raphael, Sophia and Elizabeth Zimba.

Contact Details

Contact Details: Pastor Raphael Zimba.

E-Mail: raphael.zimba@gmail.com.

Mobile Phone: +265 881 074 836

Mobile Phone 2: +265 991 742 833