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Nevers Mumba: Zambia for Christ

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CBN.com - CHANGE OF HEART
Nevers grew up in a religious home, but not one that truly honored Christ. His family, including parents and 12 brothers and sisters, lived as they wanted and alcohol was a big part of their lives. In 1977 when a missionary from Trinidad, Tobago, West Indies, preached at a local school, Nevers and friends went to hear his different accent. Nevers was touched by the message and gave his heart to Jesus. When he quit drinking, his parents were appalled. And they were convicted at the change in Nevers because they knew there was more to Christ than what they were living. A week after his salvation Nevers was filled with the Spirit and a week later he began preaching the gospel.

TURNAROUND
Nevers met Reinhard Bonnke in 1981 when he was chosen as Bonnke's interpreter. Their friendship flourished over the years and Bonnke paved the way for Nevers to attend Bible college at Christ for the Nations. After his 1984 graduation, he returned to Zambia and started a church with 12 people which today numbers 1,000 and they have planted 17 other churches.

Zambia is a former British colony whose greatest natural resource is copper mining. Scottish missionaries have ministered there for generations including the famous Dr. David Livingstone. Nevers has seen a great turnaround in this nation of 10 million since 1985. During his church's early days Zambia's governmental policies were heavily influenced by communism. The big difference came in 1991 when new President Chiluba came to power and declared Zambia a Christian nation. This has opened the door to evangelize the nation. Nevers and Victory Bible Church held many miracle crusades with thousands being healed and saved. Christian TV programs include the CBN's The 700 Club and Turning Point.

CHANGE TO COME
Nevers has seen great changes in the nation. “I have seen great progress in the last 5-10 years,” he says. Christianity is a very strong presence in the country.” A former Republican Vice President of Zambia, Nevers says the church has come to understand how Christians can work in the public sector. The church has matured, has grown, and can be involved politically. He desires to see the goodness of God and the blessings of freedom in Zambia.

Being involved in public life has shaped Nevers’ view of how his country can change for the better. As he looks around Zambia, Nevers says he would like to see change in several areas such as the prevailing political landscape, education, health, etc. Zambia is faced with the challenge to rise from deep poverty. The extended family system, the backbone of the society, has been sorely challenged in the face of the unrelenting assault of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on Zambian of all ages. He believes in good governance. He believes the system of government should embrace freedom of dissent, civil responsibilities and rights, an open electoral process, respect of human rights, etc.

Zambia is a country in south-central Africa. It ranks as one of the world's largest producers of copper. Zambia exports copper to many parts of the world and gains much income from the exports. Zambia takes its name from the Zambezi River, which forms most of the country's southern border. Victoria Falls, one of the world's most beautiful waterfalls, lies on the river. The great Kariba Dam, one of the world's largest hydroelectric projects, and Kariba Lake also are on the Zambezi River, serving both Zambia and Zimbabwe.

Zambia was formerly a British protectorate called Northern Rhodesia. From 1953 to 1963, it formed part of the Federation of Rhodesia and Nyasaland with Nyasaland (now Malawi) and Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe). Zambia became an independent nation in 1964. Lusaka is its capital and largest city.

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The 700
Club

The 700 Club is a live television program that airs each weekday. It is produced before a studio audience at the broadcast facilities of The Christian Broadcasting Network (CBN) in Virginia Beach, Virginia. On the air continuously since 1966, it is one of the longest-running programs in broadcast history. The program is hosted by Pat Robertson, Terry Meeuwsen, and Gordon Robertson, with news anchor John Jessup. The 700 Club is a mix of news and commentary, interviews, feature stories, and Christian ministry. The 700 Club can be seen in 96 percent of the homes in the U.S. and is carried on