Keeping the Endgame in View
Growing up, I learned chess from the best teacher I could have asked for: Pastor Saidi Chishimba (affectionately, “Busa”). One thing Busa stressed in our weekly practice was that while a piece like the Queen is valuable and powerful, it is not untouchable. In the context of a real game, there are moments when sacrificing the Queen is the only way to win.
What looks like an insurmountable setback can actually be a game-winning move. When a player becomes too focused on preserving material advantage, he loses sight of the true goal of chess: checkmate.
God chose to take a queen off the board less than a year ago when Busa died from complications with his lungs. From our perspective, this was a devastating blow to his family, church, and the ministry at the college. And yet God does not make mistakes. His purposes extend beyond what we can see or measure. His glory is always for our good, whether we understand it in the moment or not.
The resurrection is the ultimate checkmate. And I look forward to a rematch with Busa in the New Creation.
But Christ has indeed been raised from the dead, the firstfruits of those who have fallen asleep. For since death came through a man, the resurrection of the dead comes also through a man. For as in Adam all die, so in Christ all will be made alive. But each in turn: Christ, the firstfruits; then, when he comes, those who belong to him. Then the end will come, when he hands over the kingdom to God the Father after he has destroyed all dominion, authority and power. For he must reign until he has put all his enemies under his feet. The last enemy to be destroyed is death. For he “has put everything under his feet.” (1 Cor. 15:20–26)
That lesson has stayed with me—not only in how I process loss, but in how I think about ministry decisions. Faithfulness is not measured by how tightly we hold onto what feels strong or secure, but by whether our choices are aligned with God’s ultimate purposes. Sometimes obedience requires laying down something good in order to pursue something better.
That perspective shapes the update we want to share with you.
Ministry Update
We are grateful for everyone who prayed for us as we wrapped up the semester at CABU in November, packed our bags, and headed to the USA for a brief visit.
By God's grace, the students made it through and shared how the class was impactful for their understanding of the New Testament. Our aim continues to be to equip men supporting and planting churches in Zambia and beyond.
Our time in the United States was encouraging. We were excited to share what God has been doing with ministry partners. We were especially blessed to share Cyrus with our church, family, and grandparents.
A New Season of Focus
We want to share an update that is fully in line with the ministry plan we shared from the beginning. A decision that has been shaped through prayer and discussion with the leadership of Resurrection Church, our sending church.
Over the past year, opportunities at Central Africa Baptist University (CABU) and within local church ministry have continued to grow. Teaching, mentoring, and supporting church-centered discipleship have become an increasing focus of our calling.
From the outset, our plan was to begin ministry in Zambia while I continued secular work. Over time, that work was always intended to decrease as our ministry responsibilities increased. By God’s grace, after a full year of teaching, we are now stepping into that next phase.
For this next step, our family will spend approximately six months in the United States. During this period, my teaching at CABU will pause temporarily.
This pause is intentional.
It allows us to focus on the transition itself and to raise additional support as I prepare to scale down secular work over the coming years and step away from full-time employment. After this six-month period, I will no longer be working in a secular role full-time.
This season is not a step away from ministry.
It is a step toward greater faithfulness and fruitfulness. It gives us the time needed to strengthen partnerships and prepare for increased, sustained teaching and ministry engagement at CABU and alongside local churches when we return to Zambia.
We are grateful for the ways God has already provided. At the same time, our confidence is not in employment or circumstances, but in the Lord’s provision through His people.
As the Apostle Paul writes:
“Not that I desire your gifts; what I desire is that more be credited to your account.”— Philippians 4:17 (NIV)
Thank you for standing with us in prayer and partnership. Please continue to pray for wisdom, faithfulness, and fruit as we step into this new season.
Please feel free to reach out with any questions you have for us!