The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian (CCAP)

History

Machitidwe A Atumwi17:26-27Acts 17:26-27

Ndipo ndi mmodzi analenga mitundu yonse ya anthu, kuti akhale ponse pa nkhope ya dziko lapansi, atapangiratu nyengo zao, ndi malekezero a pokhala pao; kuti afunefune Mulungu, kapena akamufufuze ndi kumpeza, ngakhale sakhala patari ndi yense mwa ife.

GEOGRAPHICAL LOCATION

• Located in the Southern part of Africa and borders Zambia to the Northwest, Tanzania to the northeast and Mozambique to the east, west and south

• Covers a total area of 118, 480sq Km, of which 20% is Lake Malawi

• Population is at 16.3 million people (CIA, Fact book, 2012)

RELIGION 82.7% Christians (Protestants and

Catholics) 13% Muslims 1.9% Others 2.5% None

PRESBYTERIAN IN MALAWI• It is called Church of

Central Africa, Presbyterian (CCAP)

• It consists of five synods: one in Zambia (Zambia Synod), one in Zimbabwe (Harare Synod) and three in Malawi - Livingstonia Synod in the north of the country, Nkhoma Synod in the centre, and Blantyre Synod in the south

• The CCAP is the largest Protestant denomination in Malawi, with more than 1.3 million members

HISTORY• Following the arrival of David Livingstone, Scottish Presbyterian churches

established missions in Malawi.

• In 1875, the Free Church of Scotland established itself in northern Malawi with headquarters in Livingstonia.

• In 1876, the Church of Scotland set up a mission in Blantyre.

• In 1889 the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa began work in central Malawi. Initially its base was Mvera, but it later relocated to Nkhoma.

• These three missions were the start of the three CCAP synods in Malawi.

• In 1911 the Livingstonia and Blantyre Synods agreed to join together to form the CCAP because of World War I, this union did not take place until 17 September 1924.

• In 1926, the formerly Dutch Reformed Nkhoma Synod joined the CCAP. The Harare Synod joined in 1965, while the Lundazi Synod (now called the Zambia Synod) joined in 1984.

• In 1998, some Charismatic members split from the CCAP to form the Presbyterian Church of Malawi (PCM).

• Presbyterian continue to spread in Malawi and other neighboring countries Mozambique and Tanzania.

Dr. David Livingstone

Katowo CCAP Church1944 Building