Reporting and photos by Damson Samson
Saturday, May 17
Damson, who serves as “Paul” to the Mulanje chapter, teaches a large group of Tituses about serving the Lord.
If Damson is Paul and our Mulanje Massif Chapter members are the Timothys then the 143 participants in their small groups are the Tituses. This lesson has been part of our “Communicating the Bible” study and growth of small groups in our chapters of guides and porters in Malawi and Tanzania (Kilimanjaro).
“It was another great time all together and we thank God for the development which has made them to be strengthened,” Damson said.
Scores of Tituses in prayer asking to be used by God.
The large group worshiped together, prayed, and listened as Damson taught about the vine and the branches (John 15). “I shared this teaching to highlight how important it is for them to be part and parcel of what Climbing For Christ is doing in their communities,” Damson explained. “The tree is expecting more from the branches so it can bear more and more fruit.”
The roles we play, first as Paul who does the original planting and oversees the work of Timothy, and then Timothy shepherding the next group of disciples, the Tituses. Now Titus is both a disciple and a disciple maker, assisting the Timothys and actively participating in the growth of small groups – and ultimately the planting of churches.
“As the Spirit led, we prayed asking grace to grow on our side,” Damson said. “They were very much appreciative for the time (together) and they requested more time like this in the near future. I promised them in July I will be starting home visiting (of small groups).”
Friday, May 16
Frank Msomba teaching Mulanje chapter guides and porters.
Frank Msomba started the second day of classroom training – this time with our second group of guides and porters, who are studying “Discovering the Bible” – with a lesson from Genesis. “The earth was formless and empty, and darkness covered the deep waters. And the Spirit of God was hovering over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:2).
“He was trying to teach the class that they need to separate themselves from the world of darkness and walk in the light of the Lord Jesus Christ,” said Africa coordinator Damson Samson.
Damson then told the class of 39 Mulanje Massif Chapter members that they should consider themselves blessed. “To be under this ministry of Climbing For Christ, we have been brought far more than what we had expected,” he said. “Even if one wanted to start a church, you cannot start with a porter because porters and guides cannot be trusted with this kind of treasure. But through Climbing For Christ we have witnessed those drunkards, womanizers, and chain-smokers becoming pastors.”
They are a chosen people, a royal priesthood, God’s very own possession (1 Peter 2:9).
Second class of Mulanje chapter guides and porters.
“We thanked God together for this opportunity,” Damson reported.
John Mollen, one of the Mulanje chapter leaders, then took the class through Step 4 of the seven steps to “Discovering the Bible”: Seeing the Bible come alive. These brothers in Christ can attest to this as God’s Word has both given them life and come alive in their daily walks.
Thursday, May 15
Pastor David Chithyoka sharing with his classmates from our original group.
Twenty-three members from our original group, established in 2017, continued their study on “Communicating the Bible.” Today’s lesson was “Learning to Communicate,” and after prayer, Damson began by taking the class to Mark 7:35 (the healing of the deaf and mute man). “Instantly the man could hear perfectly, and his tongue was freed so he could speak plainly!”
“When you are not able to hear, how can you believe?” Damson asked. “For the Bible says if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is the Lord, you shall be saved.
“I told them there is a need for heaven to be opened.”
Every disciple maker/church planter must communicate God’s Word with simplicity, addressing the needs and brokenness of listeners. That’s the starting point: Begin with people’s needs, hurts, and interests. The goal is always to point people to Jesus. “No Jesus, no life,” Damson said.
This lesson was followed by “The Role of the Holy Spirit in Communication.”
“He is an illuminator, a guide, an empowerer, a convictor, and lastly a transformer,” Damson said about the third person of God.
Wednesday, May 14
Chapter leaders meeting.
Introduction
As the size of the Mulanje Massif Chapter has grown – from the original two dozen guides and porters to more than 140 – the need for prayer has increased. In preparation for this month’s third training session of 2025, Africa coordinator Damson Samson asked the chapter leaders to choose prayer coordinators. “We encouraged them to be going around to strengthen the groups in their area and be able to monitor prayers and fasting,” Damson said.