1.
Returned Missionaries
The importance of the returned missionaries in the Blantyre
District to the Church’s stability and growth cannot be overstated. Currently, the District has 21 returned
missionaries attending the branches, available to hold positions and to help
with training. They spread among the four
branches and one group--Blantyre 1st--5 returned missionaries;[1]
Blantyre 2nd--3 returned missionaries;[2]
Ndirande---3 returned missionaries;[3]
Zingwangwa--8 returned missionaries; [4]and,
Liwonde Group—1 returned missionary[5]. The number of returned missionaries active in
a branch serves as a rough barometer of its strength, though it is not that simple.
Other
factors include how long the returned missionaries have been home; how faithful
they were on their missions; and, whether they are married and have established
households. Without question, returned missionaries add
stability to a branch, bring a wealth of knowledge regarding gospel principles
and Church procedures, and constitute a pool of talent for staffing critical positions
essential to the Church’s growth.
The Blantyre District has reason for additional optimisim since
8 District members are currently on missions,[6] and as they return to Blantyre and are incorporated
back into their home branches, they will further fortify the ranks. The current
missionaries from Blantyre are serving in Mozambique, South Africa Johannesburg;
England South London; Zimbabwe Harare; England Birmingham; Uganda. This past year Malawi has sent the first missionaries
from Malawi outside of Africa, reversing the historical return of having Western
missionaries come to Africa.
“Know ye not that a little leaven leaveneth the whole lump.”[7]
This aphorism might be applied appropriately to a number of different
situations, but it certainly works to describe the impact of returned
missionaries upon various branches. We
have witnessed this most directly in the Zingwangwa Branch, blessed to have 8 returned
missionaries. They hold some, not all,
of the key leadership positions in the branch.[8] But most importantly, they function as
anchors in the branch and, for the most part, are extremely reliable. Carole and I have the highest respect for
the returned missionaries in the Blantyre District. They are committed, hard-working, and
dependable. They know the gospel and
serve as seminary and institute teachers, as branch executive secretaries and
clerks, and in elders quorum presidencies.
Generally speaking, other members find the returned missionary
to be exemplary and look to them for guidance.
Young adults and teens often want to go on missions because of their
examples and because of what they see in the lives of the young missionaries
working in the branches. Without fail, the
returned missionaries are exceptional teachers—they know the gospel well and
their missions taught them how to ask good questions and to stimulate
meaningful discussions. Hence, most of
the seminary and institute classes are taught by returned missionaries.
Of course, occasionally we hear comments about the returned
missionaries “knowing everything.” Some
returned missionaries may not be as sensitive to the feelings of others as they
should be, but it is equally possible that members, who have not served
missions, may be hypersensitive, feeling insecure due to their lack of Church
experience. These feelings are most apt
to come from those who otherwise see themselves—due to strength of personality
or social standing--as most suited to hold prominent positions in the Church,
and are resentful whenever they think someone has being preferred over them for
Church leadership positions due to their earlier mission experience.
[1] Blantyre 1st returned
missionaries include Gabriel Chinomwe, Sister Chinyumba, Jonathan Banda, Frank
Mantchichi, and Edward Matale.
[2]
Blantyre 2nd returned missionaries include Lyford Ngwira, Mike
Nyirenda, Chris Sitolo, and Ivy Lifa.
[3]
Ndirande’s returned missionaries include Boniface Nyenyezi, James Duwa, and ___________________.
[4]
Zingwangwa’s returned missionaries include Clement Chikapa; Sister Chikapa;
Amos Monjeza; Chisomo Phiri Monjeza; Jonathan Nkhoma; Gladwell Tsegula; Steven
Sikumbiri; and Michael Lombola.
[5] Aaron
Benjamin, the Group Leader’s son, recently returned from his mission.
[6] As
of November 1, 2015, the District have the following 8 missionaries serving:
(i) Herbert Chazuka of Blantyre 1st; (ii) Felix Paul of Blantyre 2nd; (iii) Agnes Chirwa of Ndriande; and (iv) Funny
Monjeza, James Mwale, Jr., Maxwell Mbera, Khama Kangire, and Memory Munthali of
Zingwanwa.
[7]
Romans 5: 6.
[8]
Until recently, the only one of the members of the Branch Presidency was a
returned missionary. President Chikapa
is a returned missionary from Kenya, but neither of his counselors—Brothers
Mkandawire or Chimaliro—served as missionaries.
Neither the Elders Quorum President nor the Relief Society President is
a returned missionary.
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