The Seventh-day Adventist Church in Zambia has ordained 14 chaplains to the gospel ministry in a joint civil-religious ceremony at the Arakan Army Chapel in Lusaka on June 27, 2026. Most of the newly ordained chaplains serve with the Zambia National Service.

The ceremony marked what Vanny Munyumbwe, president of the Southern Zambia Union Conference, described as an unprecedented moment in his ministry.

"I have never witnessed anything like this in my entire ministry," Munyumbwe said.

The ceremony was conducted in two parts: the ordination to the gospel ministry and a formal induction into the Zambia National Service chaplaincy. The induction service was presided over by an Adventist chaplain currently serving in the Zambia Army.

Brigadier General Reverend Dr. Henry Matifeyo, Chaplain General of the Zambian Ministry of Defense and overseer of religious affairs across all branches of the Zambian Defense Forces, urged the inductees to uphold the highest ethical and moral standards in their service.

The guest of honor, Lt. General Maliti Solochi II, Commander of the Zambia National Service, described the ceremony as the joining of two noble callings.

"Today, we have witnessed two ceremonies that are distinct in form but united in purpose," Solochi said. "The first is ordination, a divine affirmation of a sacred calling. It is the Church's recognition that God has chosen and equipped these servants to shepherd His people, proclaim His word, and minister not only to the Adventist family but to the world in need of spiritual guidance. The second is induction into the Zambia National Service chaplaincy, a solemn institutional commitment that entrusts these ordained men of God with the responsibility of providing spiritual leadership and moral guidance to members of the service and their families. Together, these ceremonies represent the joining of two noble callings: service to God and service to the nation."

Solochi also emphasized the wider role chaplains play in national institutions.

"The strongest institutions are built not merely on concrete and steel, but on character and values," he said. "It is for this reason that religious and moral services remain an indispensable component of our organizational framework."

"The ordination affirms that chaplains carry the same gospel ministry as district pastors. Like district pastors, ordained chaplains proclaim the gospel, nurture believers, administer the ordinances of the Church, and minister to people during critical moments of life. Where district pastors serve local congregations, chaplains minister within institutions where people often face distinct emotional, physical, social, and spiritual challenges, combining biblical teaching, pastoral care, counselling, crisis intervention, and compassionate presence," said a representative from Southern Zambia Union Conference.

Military personnel and their families face unique circumstances including deployments, separation, loss, and trauma. Chaplains provide pastoral support in these situations through worship services, Bible studies, counseling, family enrichment, visitation, crisis care, and spiritual encouragement.

The newly ordained chaplains will now preach and teach the Word of God, baptize new believers, administer the Lord's Supper, conduct weddings and funerals, dedicate children, anoint the sick, and provide biblical counseling, carrying the full authority of gospel ministry into their specialized context.

The Adventist Church in Zambia says it looks forward to facilitating the entry of more of its young ministers as they complete their seminary training into specialized chaplaincies across the country.

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