From green, lush mountains to the sparkling waters of its extensive lake, Malawi is a beautiful country nestled in the South-Central region of Africa. From the 14th to the 26th of May, our Explore Executive, Mawonga Celesi and Operations Manager, Saralee Molodi had the opportunity to travel to Malawi to connect with and support our local partners there. Warmly hosted by Bishop Isaac Chiumia and his family, they traveled throughout the north of Malawi meeting Explore groups, attending a very joyous graduation, and witnessing first-hand the Kingdom impact of Explore in Malawi.

The various communities they had the privilege of meeting also demonstrated a deep appreciation, openness and enthusiasm for the work being done through Explore. Here is a glimpse of what our team saw and experienced in their time there:

On the 17th of May, Mawonga and Saralee joined a vibrant crowd at Chitipa Village to celebrate the graduation of 16 Explore students. Chitipa, located about 700km north of Lilongwe, was a scene of celebration, singing, dancing, and joy – a true reflection of the African spirit.

This eventwas also attended by the District Governor, Mr Isaac Mkandawire, the local chief, as well as Bishop Ronalad Halawa of the Evangelical Association of Malawi. Explore was commended and celebrated, especially for its theologically sound and contextually relevant curriculum. The event highlighted Explore’s transformative impact and served as a celebration of faith, culture, and achievement.

Following the encouraging trip to Mpingu and Phanga, the team traveled to Namitete on the 21st of May. This was a visit highlighted by joy, with the group being a dynamic fellowship made up of Module 2 and Module 8 students. This passionate and colourful group is shepherded by Bishop Foster Chiphwanya, a devoted and compassionate servant of God. The team witnessed more than just a study group. Rather, they found a community alive with joy and purpose. Though the students face material challenges, they overflowed with praise, singing, and dancing, as though they lacked nothing. Their excitement didn’t stop there as they expressed their heartfelt desire to expand Explore into neighbouring countries such as Zambia and Mozambique.

Following the successful trip to Malawi, the team has five key takeaways from their visit:

• • 1. Transformative theological training: the Explore course offers more than academic instruction—it deeply transforms lives by grounding pastors theologically and equipping them for more effective ministry.
    2. The importance of community and leadership support: the involvement and recognition by local leaders highlight the course’s broad societal impact and the importance of local buy-in for sustainable ministry.
    3. The power of committed facilitators: dedicated facilitators like Pastor John Kapenda play a vital role in inspiring persistence, fostering learning communities, and sustaining momentum despite challenges.
    4. Sacrifice and spiritual hunger: pastors’ willingness to travel long distances on foot or bicycle illustrates a deep hunger for spiritual growth and truth, showing the value placed on discipleship.
    5. Celebration, culture, and holistic discipleship: graduations, community celebrations, and culturally rooted expressions like singing and dancing reflect the holistic and joyful nature of discipleship in the African context. 

The team’s time in Malawi reaffirmed the profound impact of the Explore course. From graduation ceremonies to grassroots gatherings, there was a deep hunger for theological training and a strong community commitment to Kingdom work. The team left Malawi feeling encouraged, inspired, and hopeful for what lies ahead as Explore continues to grow and thrive across the region.