Republic of Zambia president Hakainde Hichilema, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has donated K200,000 (approximately US$11,200) and a bus to Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Ministries in support of their ongoing community service and mission initiatives.

The donation was announced at the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship, held at Blessings Centre in Lusaka on July 25 under the theme "Driven by Prayer, Moved by Faith." The gathering drew thousands of young people from across the Lusaka Conference. The event also brought church leaders and senior government officials, including former Vice President Dr. Nevers Mumba and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Oliver Kalabo.

Church leaders led prayers for peace, unity, and national stability.

Addressing the gathering, President Hichilema commended the youth for gathering to pray and urged Zambians to protect national harmony.

"We should cherish the peace that we enjoy in our country," he said.

President Hichilema praised the youth's blending of spiritual growth with practical community service, describing their outreach as a model to be emulated. He was taken through a presentation of the youth's community work in Lusaka Conference, which included constructing houses for less-privileged families, renovating homes, painting health facilities, supplying food to vulnerable households, distributing literature, and conducting evangelistic campaigns.

Southern Zambia Union Conference youth director Dr. Highten Hamweene preached the sermon and challenged young people to remain faithful to God's mission and use technology and social media responsibly. While digital platforms are often misused to spread misinformation and division, he said, Adventist youth have an opportunity to change the narrative by bringing people closer to God with messages of hope, faith, and peace.

Hamweene urged delegates to embrace their calling as digital missionaries under the Church's global OneVoice27 initiative.

"There has never been a better time for young people to transform their smartphones into pulpits," Hamweene said.

Lusaka Conference president Francis Chibiya reminded youth that every citizen should give thanks to God for the peace Zambia continues to enjoy, and only God can sustain such peace through the prayers of His people.

Lusaka Conference youth chairperson Masulika Manyipa said the youth were inspired to continue serving communities through projects that uplift the less privileged. He thanked President Hichilema for supporting the development of young people and acknowledged government policies benefiting Zambian youth, including the country's free education policy.

Southern Zambia Union Conference president Dr. Vanny Munyumbwe also commended the implementation of the Free Education Policy, which has since been enacted into law and, he noted, has enabled more than 2.5 million children to return to school.

The original article was published on the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean division news site.