BRIEF HISTORY OF ZAMBIA MISSION
Zambia Union Conference came from a Field status that was set up in 1921 with J.V. Wilson as first president with headquarters in Lusaka. During two periods, two sectors of Zambia functioned as separate Fields: the area surrounding Chimpempe Mission in the current North Zambia Field (1926 – 1942) and Western Province (1946 – 1958).
In 1929 the European and coloured constituency of Zambia became part of the Rhodesia-Buchuanaland Conference.
In 1946, Western Province was organised as a Field and In 1958, because of improved communication, it was once more made part of Zambia Field. Zambia was divided into two station areas: Liumba Hill and Sitoti in Western Province, each with an eight-grade boarding school. There was also a four-grade out school numbering four, 11 organised churches, 33 companies and a number of Branch Sabbath Schools.
In 1945, the headquarters of the Zambia Field were moved to Chisekese, a small settlement on the railroad, six miles from Rusangu Mission. Zambia east of meridian 32 remained a part of the Nyasaland.
In May 1972, the Zambia Field was organised into a Union with office headquarters still in Lusaka. Bristow became the first Union Mission Director. Zambia then had three Fields with headquarters in Lusaka.
In 1988, Zambia Union was organised into 6 fields as follows:
South Zambia Field with headquarters in Monze,
West Zambia Field with headquarters in Mongu,
Copperbelt Field with headquarters in Ndola,
North Zambia Field with headquarters in Mansa,
East Zambia Field with headquarters in Chipata and
Central Zambia Field with headquarters in Kabwe.
Central Zambia Field became a Conference in December 1999 with pastor Mfayabo Mtshiya as its first president. And in December 2003 South Zambia Field became the second entity to become a Conference in Zambia with pastor Josephat Hamoonga as its first president. And more currently in 2012 December, Central Zambia Conference was realigned into two - giving birth to Lusaka Conference and Central Zambia Conference. The president of Lusaka Conference is Dr. Edwin Shimunzhila while the president for Central Zambia Conference (retains the name of Central Zambia Conference after realignment) is pastor Maxwell Muwvimi.
The territory of Lusaka Conference is all the churches south of the Great East and Mumbwa Roads while Central Zambia Conference is made up of all the churches north of the Great East and Mumbwa Roads.
Zambia Union now has 3 conferences and 5 Fields; namely; Lusaka Conference, Central Zambia Conference, North Zambia Field, East Zambia Field, West Zambia Field, Luapula Zambia Field and Copperbelt Field which is likely to be a Conference anytime soon.
From 1972 to-date, Zambia Union Conference has had the following presidents: A Bristo, Ken Thomas, L D Raelly, L Makeleta, W Mukoma, P Mwansa, P Hachalinga, C Matandiko and H Akombwa
Zambia Union Conference which is the largest Union in the world by membership is earmarked for realignment into two Union Conferences anytime from 2014 upwards
