Southern Zambia Union Conference

11,000 women attend Musi-o-Tunya Dorcas Rally in Southern Zambia

Approximately 11,000 women from 32 mission districts camped at Mbabala Camp Site in Choma, Zambia, for a week-long Dorcas Rally from July 5-11, combining spiritual renewal with practical training in evangelism, family life, and poultry keeping.

August 6, 2026

Choma, Southern, Zambia

Ezra C. Muntanga, Musi-o-Tunya Conference

Dorcas mothers at the Musi-o-Tunya Conference Dorcas Rally at Mbabala Camping site held July 5-11.

Approximately 11,000 women camped at Mbabala Camp Site in Choma, Zambia, for a week-long Dorcas Rally hosted by the Musi-o-Tunya Conference held July 5-11, 2026.

The Musi-o-Tunya Conference is made up of 32 mission districts, and every district was fully represented by Dorcas members and district pastors. Participants camped through the cold week to attend the daily sessions.

The program combined spiritual teaching with practical training. Sessions covered evangelism, family life, stewardship, Christian standards, the writings of Ellen G. White, prayer, financial management, and poultry keeping. Women were also encouraged to strengthen ministries of compassion through the care of widows, orphans, and other vulnerable people in their home communities.

Civic leaders attended the Dorcas Rally at Mbabala Camping site. Photo: Ezra C. Muntanga, Musi-o-Tunya Conference

Participants said among the most striking sights at the rally was the presence of elderly Dorcas mothers, some estimated to be between 90 and 100 years old, attending in full Dorcas uniform. Their attendance across the six days was described by participants as a living testimony to lifelong faithfulness in ministry.

Guest speaker Johnnie Namwako, secretary of the Woodlands Conference, inspired the congregation with messages centered on Christ throughout the week.

"Rooted in the Name," his sermon based on Acts 4:12, had a profound impact on the participants, Namwako later reflected, encouraging them to remain firmly grounded in Christ and committed to the study of God's Word.

Evans Manjimela, Southern Zambia Union Conference personal ministries director, urged the mothers to be faithful Christian role models in their homes, guiding their families according to biblical principles.

Dorcas Mothers listening to the sermon presented by Dr. Johnnie Namwako Woodlands Conference executive secretary.Photo: Ezra C. Muntanga, Musi-o-Tunya Conference

Lottie Banda challenged participants to reject harmful traditional practices and to depend entirely on God through prayer and obedience to Scripture, reminding believers that Christian standards are established by God and should be faithfully upheld.

Bednock Banji, Musi-o-Tunya Conference personal ministries director, encouraged Total Member Involvement in evangelism and community service, calling on Dorcas mothers to take part in reaching every community with the everlasting gospel before Christ's return.

Practical self-reliance featured prominently in the program. Fleming Malambo led training in poultry keeping, demonstrating the use of locally available resources in poultry management, disease prevention, and vaccination. He encouraged families to embrace poultry farming as a means of food security and household income.

The program was further enriched by uplifting music from the Joy Singers of Kafue. Maxwell Muvwimi, president of the Musi-o-Tunya Conference, was in attendance alongside retired pastors, civic leaders, and members of the Rusangu Mission Federation.

Many participants expressed gratitude for the week and said they wished the rally could have continued longer. Organizers say the gathering equipped participants with renewed spiritual strength, practical skills, and a deeper commitment to evangelism and compassionate service in their home Mission Districts.

This article was provided by the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division.