gs speech

General Secretary Speech

It is said that life begins at forty. We thank God Almighty for seeing the Student Christian Organization of Malawi to this age. We have reached this far not because of our efficiency but rather the grace of God. For forty years the Lord has stood by our side through hard and thick; He has stirred the movement through numerous storms. As we look back to the past we cannot help but thank the Lord for His faithfulness for strengthening us and for His grace for sustaining us. If not for these we could surely have packed up our boots a long time ago. In this report I will attempt to highlight some areas of importance in SCOM, the challenges we face, and propose the way forward.

MINISTRY GROWTH

For forty years SCOM has grown from twenty-five to about six hundred branches at secondary and tertiary levels of education. SCOM continues to grow at a rapid rate reaching all the corners of the country. SCOM has reached an extent where it is self-propagating with new branches being born every academic year under the influence of students and teachers.

An area of concern however is that we are unable to obtain the actual statistics of our membership. We do not have the actual figure due to communication problems with the zones. New schools usually suffer, as they do not benefit from the office in terms of information and visits. I would like to appeal to all sections to update us with a list of all schools in their areas of operation within the first term of the coming academic year.

The ministry has also registered spiritual growth. We are seeing students growing in the faith. But I do think there is more to be done to prepare them for the challenges of life. The many scandals and other irresponsible behaviours by our members are a sure sign that there is still a long way to go. We have done so well in evangelizing them but we are yet to see Christ formed in them completely. Unless this is accomplished, our members will make any impact on society. We must help our members appreciate the fact that their faith is meant to shape their behaviour.

OUR IMPACT IN SOCIETY

SCOM has played a very significant role in the development of this nation. We have proved to be an important influence on the lives of the youth of this nation. Our impact is felt in many circles of the society. We find lawyers, scientists, businessmen, civil servants, church ministers, politicians and medical workers who were greatly influenced by SCOM during their student life. The best way to judge a student movement is to look at the graduates. We can thus say that we have made some progress. This however must not make us relax for as long as there are students in the schools, our work continues until every student has had a chance of hearing the gospel in a language they can understand. We are not there yet. We must therefore let our history shape the present and propel us into the future.

SHIFTS IN EMPHASIS

Since its inception SCOM had been a Bible-based movement. Bible study formed the core of its existence. It seems to me however, that Bible Study is no longer popular in most of our gatherings. I have observed that most conferences don’t have Bible study on the programme and where indicated it is easily substituted for a preaching sermon in the event that some speaker has over-shot or comes late. We can afford to forego a Bible study without any sense of guilty but find it difficult to remove a sermon. This is a sad development in SCOM. If it remains unchecked, it could as well spell our spiritual doom. Praise and worship, prayer, preaching, anointing, deliverance, etc will not take us far without the Word of God at the center of our faith. These practices must rotate around the Word and never to replace it. I see a lot of young Christians with little command of the scriptures. They cannot go far

The other discipline that seems to be neglected is the discipline of personal witnessing. There is very little witnessing in most of our branches. Students want associates and other preachers to do the soul winning while they major on emotions. The campus is the witnessing community for every student. It is here where they practice their faith. Perhaps we have not really prepared them to live as witnesses. How much have we done to make this calling a reality among the members?

SCOM-AF

The zeal for ministry in associates has continued to increase. New zones are being established in some parts of Malawi. The challenge before us however is how to retain the old associates who seem to be slippery, how to recruit more associates and train them for the work.

The support that associates are meant to raise for the ministry is not forthcoming as is required. There are some zones that rarely send their support to the office. Let this gathering be a reminder to those who have forgotten the reason for their existence and no longer care about the ministry. I would at the same time like to thank those few zones that have remained financially committed to the work.

PROJECTS There several projects that SCOM has undertaken over the past decade.

Houses

A house was built in Mzuzu with help from Hilfe Fuer Brueder [Help for Brethren] of Germany. This house is rented to World Vision International. It is a steady source of income.

There is a house that has stood unfinished for several years now in Zomba. The house needs about K200 000.00 to be completed. The remaining work on this includes plumbing, wiring, plastering ceiling and others.

There is yet another plot in Blantyre at Chirimba that is developed to slab level. This project will be given attention once the Zomba one is finished.

If the other two housing projects could be finished they would be a steady source of income to the ministry as the Mzuzu house has proved. It is my plea that all of us own these projects and join hands to raise the funds required for completion.

Land in Area 43

We have acquired a piece of land in Area 43 for a SCOM Centre. This land [about 3 hectares] was offered to us at K321 000.00 and we have only managed to pay the initial K90 000.00. It is the desire of the National Executive Committee to use this land for offices, staff houses, conference hall, etc. We have a long way to go before this dream is realized. Let us join hands in raising more funds.

ECED

The El-Shaddai Centre for Education and Development [ECED] is a brainchild of the associates in an effort to establish a sustainable financial base for SCOM. Though the initial stages of the company have met various challenges, ECED has the potential of making a significant contribution to the financial status of the ministry. I would appeal to all supporters of SCOM to support this venture for its failure or success lies in our hands. Meanwhile there are still some unsold shares waiting for us to buy.

STEM PROGRAMME

The Short Term Experience in Ministry [STEM] is a programme that offers an opportunity to graduating students to be involved in ministry work for a period of time before getting a permanent job. It is successful in South Africa and Kenya. The pioneer of this in SCOM is Herbert Mwalukomo who has since finished his six months term. Two other students have offered to emulate Herbert’s example as soon as they finish their studies in a few month’s time.

SOCIAL PARTICIPATION PROGRAMMES

SCOM has the potential of making a significant contribution in addressing the social issues our nation is battling with. We must, in the light of the scriptures, offer better alternatives to the social ills of society

Tree Planting

The Universities and Colleges Section [UCS] is championing a campaign on tree planting. Students must see themselves as stewards of God’s creation. They are responsible for the environment. Initiated last year in Zomba, this programme will become an annual event involving all members and sections.

HIV/AIDS

The youth are the most threatened age group by the AIDS epidemic. The UCS has initiated a campaign for AIDS prevention among the students. The purpose is to teach the youth values of life that will lead to behaviuoral change. Sexual abstinence is the main focus of the programme.

Love In Action

SCOM has for the past several years been involved in various other programmes that expose our members to some of the issues society is battling with a view of helping them appreciate the fact that they are part of the solution. Students have carried out hospital cleaning exercises as a way of demonstrating their love and compassion for the sick. This is practical Christianity and it is hoped that once that spirit is imparted on them, they will continue to do this wherever they go.

CHALLENGES WE FACE

SCOM is not without challenges. They humble and wake us up but they also help us know why we are here. Challenges sometimes weigh and slow us down but must never crush and bring us to a grinding halt. Some of the challenges we face are:

Understaffing

The issue of staffing is very critical in SCOM. With only three field staff against 600 branches, efficiency is almost impossible. Our presence is really felt in the schools. Students demand regular visits from us but we are unable to do so due to the problems of finances. Failure to make these regular visits opens doors for a lot of other activities that are not what we stand for.

Presence of other groups

There are a number of other Christian groups that are coming in the schools now. While we welcome these developments, we are concerned with the manner in which some of them are launched. Some of these groups use SCOM as launch pad. What is most painful is the realization that some “associates” have been at the centre of this. They frustrate us and confuse the students.

Threat of HIV/AIDS

The HIV/AIDS situation is so threatening among the youth. The challenge is that their sexual behaviour seems to getting worse. The emphasis the condom is getting in the media, its readily availability coupled with the pornographic pictures in the electronic media makes the sexual temptation difficult to handle for most of the youth. We know that abstinence is the solution but the practicality of it is what we are battling to establish in the youth.

WAY FORWARD

SCOM has to continue in the next decade to meet the needs of the youth of Malawi. I wish to propose the following steps as contribution to the way forward:

Our relevance lies in our faithfulness in sticking to our vision while taking into account the present challenges the youth are facing. We must relevant without compromising our reason for existence.

SCOM must make a deliberate move to restore Bible study to its rightful place. We must ensure that Bible study is an integral part of our activities. May I suggest that every joint meeting, conference and retreat must include sessions on Bible study.

SCOM must integrate HIV/AIDS prevention messages in its activities in all sections. Abstinence must be promoted as the only solution for the singles. We must offer counseling to those who are already infected and affected.

Training of leaders must continue to feature highly on our agenda for action. Student leaders, associates and staff must be properly equipped for services they are required to render.

SCOM must be actively involved in issues that affect the society. We must be proactive and not reactive. We are capable of contributing meaningfully to some of the policies that affect this nation. We must stop majoring on ambulance services.
Mr. Chairman, this is all I had to report on.

Thank you.

Patrick Kaudzu