What happens when African Leadership Malawi invites the most powerful leaders to join their program?
Find out below in this month’s update as we learn about African Leadership Malawi’s Chief Classes!
Chiefs Who Lead Like Servants.
Pause and Reflect…
Chiefs Who Lead Like Servants.
The Weight of a Chief’s Decision
For years, Leonard heard a common theme while meeting with African Leadership alumni across Malawi: local leaders were making an impact, but traditional chiefs often held significant influence over what was possible in their communities.
Chiefs serve as judges, mediators, and decision-makers. They settle disputes, oversee land conflicts, and shape the direction of their villages.
In some communities, justice was inconsistent. Decisions could be influenced by favoritism, tradition, but also by bribery. Every chief has a traditional court at his home, so most of the chiefs received bribes to twist justice. Their rulings favored those who had bribed them, leaving many members of the community without fair representation. At the same time, challenges like conflict, division, drug abuse, and poverty continued to affect families and communities.
As Leonard listened, he began to wonder: What would happen if chiefs were equipped to lead differently?
Changed Leaders, Changed Communities
One of those chiefs is Chief Kaliwanya.
When he heard about the training, he traveled more than 20 miles by bicycle each week to attend classes. He did not allow distance to act as a barrier to his training because he understood the difference it was making.
Today, he says the program has transformed both his worldview and his leadership.
"I am filled with great joy simply because I am now guided by what the Bible says in executing my duties as a chief. I now make judgment with a clear conscience."
Chief Adam Kariza, who oversees 12 other chiefs, says the training changed how he sees people.
"Before, I did not have compassion and I had a lot of judgment toward people. Now I can see them and know how to lead them because I am grounded in the Word of God."
Chief Jabada says the training helped him better address challenges like drug abuse among young people.
"This training opened my eyes. I am able to speak with young people, understand what they are going through, and actually listen."
Leonard has seen the effects ripple throughout entire communities.
"This program is changing the mindsets of these chiefs. They are now able to lead from a place of justice."
Many chiefs now testify that they are making decisions more fairly, serving their people more faithfully, and building greater trust within their communities.
An Invitation to Lead Differently
At the same time, one of African Leadership's longtime teachers, Pastor Phiri, was witnessing transformation in the life of a local chief named Christopher. After participating in African Leadership's training, Christopher experienced a profound change in both his faith and leadership. He became convinced that other chiefs could benefit from the same opportunity.
Leonard, Pastor Phiri, and Chief Christopher invited chiefs from across the region to learn about the program, and the response was overwhelming.
More than 100 chiefs attended the introductory gathering, and many signed up immediately.
The first Chiefs Class launched with 18 students. Every chief graduated.
The second class enrolled 20 chiefs. Every chief graduated.
The third class enrolled another 20 chiefs. Every chief graduated.
Today, two additional classes are underway, with nearly 50 chiefs currently receiving training.
Through leadership training rooted in God's Word, chiefs are learning to lead with wisdom, integrity, compassion, and justice.
What's Next
The demand for Chiefs Classes continues to grow!
As more hear about the transformation taking place, additional chiefs are expressing interest in joining future classes. Current cohorts are preparing to graduate while new leaders continue stepping forward to learn.
The vision remains simple: equip local leaders to lead with wisdom, integrity, and a deep understanding of God's Word.
Because one transformed chief can influence hundreds, and dozens of transformed chiefs can reshape a nation.
Leaders like Leonard continue serving their communities because people like you stand with them.
Field Updates
Field Updates
📍DR Congo
Communities in Goma are navigating the recent Ebola outbreak, with leaders encouraging churches and communities to practice safety measures, including hand-washing, sanitizing, and monitoring symptoms. Travel restrictions and closed borders have created additional challenges, making access to resources and movement more difficult.
The team is navigating this outbreak with wisdom, and they have put together hygienic kits for their teachers to help stay in compliance and protect themselves as they lead and teach.
📍 South Sudan
Classes are continuing, with an upcoming graduation in Juba celebrating around 60 graduates - including the largest group of women graduating from the program so far!
While God is raising up new leaders, the country continues facing political tension, economic hardship, rising prices, and concerns about possible conflict. Leaders are asking for prayer that peace would remain and that the nation would not return to war.
The team is also continuing to support refugee communities, including those facing persecution.
📍 Ethiopia
Ethiopia recently experienced a peaceful election, but tensions remain in parts of the country. Violence between communities has caused loss of life and increased concerns about instability.
Despite these challenges, classes are continuing and graduations are taking place across the country. Leaders are celebrating students completing their training and asking God to use them to bring peace and hope to their communities!
Pray With Us
Pray for growth and wisdom
Pray for Tabitha, as she continues to lead staff and students at New Dawn Educational Center in Nairobi, Kenya. Pray for the staff and students, that they will continue to grow into who God is calling them to be!
🇰🇪 Kenya
🇨🇩 DR Congo
Pray for endurance and health among our network
Please continue praying for peace and stability across eastern DRC. Two weeks ago, a deadly Ebola epidemic was declared in this occupied zone. Every day, the number of infections continues to rise. The city of Goma is now suffocating, with all areas closed off. The weight of suffering is truly increasing. Please join us in this fight through your prayers and supplications; may God come to their aid.
Pray for protection
Pray for peace amid political and social challenges, protection for vulnerable communities amidst ongoing crime and violence, and strength for leaders like Allan as they continue supporting students and graduates.
🇿🇦 South Africa
Pray for expansion and graduations
Pray for upcoming graduations, including the Chiefs Classes, and that students would continue to be lights in their communities. Pray for Leonard and the team as they expand leadership training and equip more leaders to serve with wisdom and integrity.
🇲🇼 Malawi
We invite you to share your own prayer requests below, our team prays over each one.
Missed last month’s update? Check it out here!
Thank you for being part of a community that fuels the leaders creating lasting change across Africa!
