Zambian President Hichilema Donates Bus and K200,000 to Adventist Youth Ministries

Republic of Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, addressed the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship at Blessings Centre on 25 July 2026, announcing a donation of K200,000 and a bus in support of youth-led community service and mission initiatives.

Innocent Siachitoba, Southern Zambia Union Conference Adventist Youth Ministries Communication Liaison Person
Zambian President Republic of Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema attending the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship.

Zambian President Republic of Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema attending the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship.

Republic of Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema, a member of the Seventh-day Adventist Church, has donated K200,000 (approximately USD 11,200) and a bus to the Adventist Youth Ministries of the Lusaka Conference, in support of the youth's ongoing community service and mission initiatives.

The donation was announced at the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship, held at Blessings Centre in Lusaka on 25 July 2026 under the theme "Driven by Prayer, Moved by Faith." The gathering drew thousands of young people from across the Lusaka Conference, together with church leaders and senior government officials, including former Vice President Dr. Nevers Mumba and Deputy Secretary to the Cabinet Dr. Oliver Kalabo.

Zambian President Republic of Zambia President Hakainde Hichilema attending the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship.

Church leaders led prayers for peace, unity, and national stability, with Zambia's general elections scheduled for 13 August 2026.

Addressing the gathering, President Hichilema commended the youth for gathering to pray, and urged Zambians to protect national harmony.

"We should cherish the peace that we enjoy in our country," Hichilema said.

The President praised the youth's blending of spiritual growth with practical community service, describing their outreach as a model to be emulated. He was taken through a presentation of the youth's community work in Lusaka Conference, which has included constructing houses for less-privileged families, renovating homes, painting health facilities, supplying food to vulnerable households, distributing literature, and conducting evangelistic campaigns.

Southern Zambia Union Conference Youth Director Dr. Highten Hamweene attending the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship.

Southern Zambia Union Conference Youth Director Dr. Highten Hamweene, who preached the sermon, challenged young people to remain faithful to God's mission and to use technology and social media responsibly. While digital platforms are often misused to spread misinformation and division, he said, Adventist youth have an opportunity to change the narrative by bringing people closer to God with messages of hope, faith, and peace.

Hamweene urged delegates to embrace their calling as digital missionaries under the Church's global OneVoice27 initiative.

"There has never been a better time for young people to transform their smartphones into pulpits," Hamweene said.

Lusaka Conference President Pastor Francis Chibiya reminded the youth that every citizen should give thanks to God for the peace Zambia continues to enjoy, and that only God can sustain such peace through the prayers of His people.

Youth attending the Lusaka Conference Adventist Youth Big Sabbath Fellowship.

Lusaka Conference Youth Chairperson Masulika Manyipa said the youth were inspired to continue serving communities through projects that uplift the less privileged. He thanked President Hichilema for supporting the development of young people, and acknowledged government policies benefiting Zambian youth, including the country's free education policy.

Southern Zambia Union Conference President Dr. Vanny Munyumbwe also commended the implementation of the Free Education Policy, which has since been enacted into law and, he noted, has enabled more than 2.5 million children to return to school.

Innocent Siachitoba, Southern Zambia Union Conference Adventist Youth Ministries Communication Liaison Person