Religion

‘Titles have more than what they mean’

To most Christians, there is a very thin line between terms such as Apostle and pastor, and, indeed, some of those that wear the titles do not worry about how they are addressed by their followers. One of them is Pastor Billy Banda [not the human rights activist] of Living Stones Baptist Church, who says titles just speak more of what God does in and through the men of God. JAMES CHIMPWEYA heard more from him. Excerpts

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Apostle or pastor Billy Banda?
I will be fine if you address me as a pastor. These titles nowadays have more than what they mean. Although I am indeed an apostle of Jesus Christ in that I am His representative or ambassador, I prefer the pastoral term because it speaks more of what God is doing in and through me.
Who is Pastor Banda then?
I am a second-born son in a family of five children. I did my primary school at Lusape and Makata primay schools in Ntcheu and Blantyre respectively. I did my secondary school at Blantyre (Night) Secondary and Namalimwe Community Day in Blantyre. I was brought up in Ndirande Township. I am one of the miracles from that township. I liked football and playing musical instruments. My interest in football declined when I broke my right foot. Since then, music was my companion. I sang in a school choir—Chipulumutso Joint Choir—and Disciples Band, both of Ndirande Township. My love for gospel music drove me to learning more about God. Since then, I have been active in Christian service.
How were you called by the Lord?
My journey to knowing and placing my faith in God was a gradual process. I gave my life to Jesus Christ in my early teens and I have been growing in my walk with Him.
After my secondary school, I started a small business that grew into cross-border entrepreneurship. Between 2000 and 2006, I was selling curios and cane furniture in South Africa
Because of my passion in music, I bought musical instruments which gospel music groups used to hire. My major clients were Ndirande Anglican Voices from 2002. My relationship with them is still cordial.
In 2005, I felt called to serve God from a higher platform and I realised that I needed to be trained. Towards end of that year, I joined Church Ministry Institute in Sandton, Johannesburg, South Africa. Two years later, I enrolled with Baptist Theological Seminary of Malawi and graduated in 2010. In 2011, the Lord led me to Living Stones Baptist Church—a member of Baptist Convention of Malawi (Bacoma)—where I am ministering to God’s flock. Now, I am studying for my degree in theology.
Tell us more about Living Stones Baptist Church
Living Stones Church is a group of people called out of the world to worship and serve God as a team.  Our motto is: ‘Building the kingdom of God on earth’. The church was established by a small group of believers in the early 1990s. I am the fourth pastor to serve this church. It has over 150 members, with one branch established in Chilobwe Township.
What is the focus of your ministry?
We exist to bring hope to the hopeless and giving meaning of life to people. In all this we depend on the grace and anointing of God’s Spirit in our lives.
Of late, there has been there is an influx of Pentecostal churches, what do you make of this?
That is a difficult question for me as an evangelical. Anyway, I will attempt to answer it. I believe the mushrooming of Pentecostal churches has several factors behind it. In some cases God is on the move fulfilling His will, and in some cases, it is unfortunate that individuals use God’s name to advance their agenda. However, Christians, especially those from mainstream churches should be considerate in drawing conclusions on this development. There was an influx of Christianity in the book of Acts and those in Judaism never liked it. But one wise man, Gamaliel, who was in the Judaism spoke reasonably about it. He never condemned or sided with the influx. All he advised the Jewish leadership was to wait upon the Lord and see who was behind that move. I believe he and some of the Sanhedrin members got the right answer.
What qualifies one to be in high church position?
First of all, it is the calling by God the owner of the Church. Then, God uses other aspects to shape a person into leadership. Spiritual gifts entrusted to believers, bundle of desires, hopes, interests, ambitions, dreams and affection one has. God also uses some natural talents, experience and personalities as a means of shaping one into church leadership. Get me right, the main qualification is the calling blended with training. The rest are what God uses to take us there.
Where do you get funds for your ministry?
Funds for the ministry are generated locally within the congregation.
Are you married?
Oh yes, I am married to the most beautiful wife in the world, Rebekah. She is my best friend and I cherish her a lot. Together we have three children—Joshua 9, Caleb 7 and Ebbie four months. It is not easy to reconcile church and family affairs because I love both. But, of course, my family comes first. n

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