Along with Pastor Kristin Engstrom, ELCA Global Missionary

Leadership Formation In the Copperbelt

Leadership Formation In the Copperbelt For Reformation weekend (Oct 27-29), the Senior Pastor of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia (ELCZa) and myself, joined with the ELCZa Copperbelt District Council and five newly ordained pastors for ministry workshops and worship. The Copperbelt district of ELCZa is a strong district of seven rural and urban congregations. One of the congregations even worships in Swahili as the members are Tanzanian.

On Friday, Senior Pastor and gathered with the eight pastors who serve in Copperbelt for workshops on Lutheran theology and stewardship. On Friday, the District Council joined us to discuss God’s mission for the Copperbelt and church administration. I especially enjoyed the conversations to decide the best Bemba language words for theological terms. I was also impressed by the energy and focus the District Council showed when approaching administrative challenges in their district and the church.

Blessing the newly installed Rev. Lasson Mushani as Copperbelt District Pastor.
Pastor Kristin Engstrom I serve as the Facilitator for Leadership Development and Capacity Building with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia. From 016-2020, I served as the Senegal Country Coordinator of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. I’m originally from the midwestern United States, and served as a parish pastor in northern New Jersey for six years prior to serving with ELCA Global Mission.
Copperbelt District leaders celebrate their small group work on God's Mission for the church,
Copperbelt District leaders celebrate their small group work on God’s Mission for the church,

Reformation weekend culminated with a Reformation Sunday worship service, that included the installation of Rev. Lassan Mushani as district pastor. I was also honored to preach. Near the end of worship, we were all surprised as a vehicle drove up to the door of the church building. It was a gift from one of the congregations for the District Pastor, who had previously been using an old motorbike to move around the district!

These weekends with local ministry leaders always bring me much needed joy and hope for our work together with ELCZa missionary and for ELCZa.

Accompanying Pastor Kristin

My work as an ELCA Global Missionary is possible thanks to the generosity of many congregations and individuals in the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America. Thank you! You can contact me and follow my blog. You are also invited to support me as an ELCA Global Missionarye.

Pastor Kristin Engstrom

I serve as the Facilitator for Leadership Development and Capacity Building with the Evangelical Lutheran Church in Zambia. From 016-2020, I served as the Senegal Country Coordinator of the ELCA Young Adults in Global Mission (YAGM) program. I’m originally from the midwestern United States, and served as a parish pastor in northern New Jersey for six years prior to serving with ELCA Global Mission.