Presbyterian World Mission works in partnership with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. Through partnership with Church of Central Africa, World Mission especially seeks to support training of theological students and strategic church leaders, strengthen work in primary and secondary school education, encourage interventions which combat endemic poverty, and address strategic issues of women and children. Our mission co-workers in Malawi assist and encourage the church in these activities.
Evangelism Efforts
Mission co-worker reflects on impact Community Health Evangelism has made in Malawi
Our mission co-workers based in Malawi are Rev. Tyler Holm, and Regional Liaison Rev. Paula Cooper who ministers in Zambia and works in Zambia, Malawi, Kenya and Rwanda.
Tyler Holm teaches Biblical Studies and Practical Theology at the University of Livingstonia Faculty of Theology in northern Malawi, where many Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Livingstonia theology students are trained. Read more about Tyler on his profile page.
Rev. Paula Cooper serves as Regional Liaison for East Central Africa, supporting relationships with partner churches in Zambia, Malawi, Kenya and Rwanda; facilitating partnerships with PC(USA) constituencies; supporting mission co-workers; and handling a variety of administrative responsibilities. Visit her profile page to learn more about her ministry.
Presbyterian World Mission works in partnership with the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian General Assembly and its three Malawi Synods: Blantyre, Nkhoma and Livingstonia. The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian was established in 1924 through the evangelistic work of Livingstonia Mission of the Free Church of Scotland, Blantyre Mission of the Established Church of Scotland and the Dutch Reformed Church of South Africa (Synod of Cape Town). Today, the Church in Malawi has three million members spread across the entire country.
Training pastors to serve their burgeoning congregations is a major emphasis for the church. Congregations consist of prayer houses in multiple geographical locations. In some instances pastors serve multiple congregations. Lay leaders are trained to take responsibility for preaching and pastoral care of members. Pastor to member ratios are as high as one pastor to 7,000 members. Scholarships for theological students are a major challenge at Bachelors, Masters and PhD levels.
Each Church of Central Africa Presbyterian synod operates with extensive autonomy, conducting holistic ministry through the departments, operating schools, treating children living with AIDS, providing care for orphans and vulnerable children. The Synods are Blantyre, Nkhoma and Livingstonia. Each one has a hospital; Livingstonia has three. Public health work is increasingly recognized as an important emphasis to prevent disease and improve quality of life. Zomba Theological College, established in 1977, is the historical CCAP institution for training theological students, and it continues to serve all three Malawi synods. More recently, CCAP Livingstonia has established the Faculty of Theology at the University of Livingstonia, and Josophat Mwale Faculty of Theology trains students from CCAP Nkhoma.
Additional areas of emphasis include evangelism, ensuring training and support for the synod-wide Women’s Guilds and addressing challenges in society through Church and Society departments.
The General Assembly of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian was reconstituted in December 2013 after a seven year suspension. The Office of the General Assembly is especially focused on strengthening the work of the CCAP Synods in Malawi, Zambia and Zimbabwe in the areas of Education, Youth, and Church and Society.
Rev. Paula Cooper, regional liaison, paula.cooper@pcusa.org
Tyler Holm, mission co-worker, Tyler.Holm@pcusa.org
Join the Malawi Mission Network, one of more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices and develop strategies. Contact Malawi Mission Network Convener Doug Kee at jdkee@wowway.com for date and location of the next Malawi Mission Network Conference.
Consider developing a partnership with a congregation or institution of one of the Malawi Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Synods in keeping with the interest of your congregation. Experience transformation of your own congregation as you witness the incredible faith of folks praising God in the face of poverty, disease and death. Contact Paula Cooper at paula.cooper@pcusa.org for more information.
Support a mission co-worker in Malawi. Make a contribution to any of the following accounts.
Please note that congregations should give by mailing a check to:
Presbyterian Church (U.S.A.)
PO Box 643700
Pittsburgh, PA 15264-3700
(800) 728-7228
Include a note with the fund number.
- To support Paula Coopers’ work, please make a gift to E200539. Congregations can designate gifts for Paula’s Directed Mission Support to account D507596.
- To support Tyler Holm’s work, please make a gift to E200532. Congregations can designate gifts for Tyler’s Directed Mission Support to account D507572.
To support work of Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Hospitals consider a gift on any size to the following ECO account:
- E862149 Livingstonia Embangweni Hospital
To support the work of the Synods, make a gift of any size to one of the following ECO accounts:
