New CCAP chaplain at MR Second Battalion

A few days ago, reverend Andrew Kamponda of the Blantyre Synod of the CCAP as chaplain for the Malawi Rifles (MR) Second Battalion. Our reporter, WATIPASO MZUNGU JNR, caught up with him.

I have found you packing your belongings. What is happening, reverend?

Anytime from now I am leaving for Lilongwe where I am going to pick up a new responsibility. In case you don’t know, it has pleased Her Excellency Joyce Banda to appoint me Chaplain for Second Battalion.

I see! What does your new job entail?

No! no! no! This is not a new job. A chaplain is a member of the clergy attached to a private chapel, institution, ship, regiment, or any prayer house away from the normal one. This means that I am no better than any other reverend or pastor. The only difference is that I have been attached to the army. I remain a reverend, nothing else.

How did you receive the appointment?

Honestly, it’s by grace and I just don’t know how to describe it. I know that I am no more or less important than any other pastors in Blantyre Synod. But for God to choose me, it’s grace, really! I can only thank God for it, but not boast because I know God has a reason for this.

Won’t you join politics eventually, having been appointed by a politician?

I am not the first person to hold the position of a chaplain. There are four other chaplains there. There are already chaplains for the Catholic, Anglican and Malawi Assemblies of God Churches. Chaplains remain pastors or priests without joining politics.

I refrain from politics and I will never be a politician. Actually, I don’t intend to be one.  I love my God and I have no plans of leaving priesthood.

What kind of a chaplain should the soldiers expect in you?

I have asked God to guide me in my new service.  As a human being, I expect the soldiers to provide understanding where I need their understanding.

So, what are you planning to do after serving at the battalion?

I will humbly return to Blantyre and continue serving God. Remember, I have the blessings of the Blantyre Synod to minister at the battalion. This means that although I am going to Lilongwe, I remain a pastor of the CCAP Church. After serving God through the soldiers, I will come back and continue ministering in churches and manses under Blantyre Synod.

What would be your parting remarks?

I  thank God for this appointment, and through it I want to praise and worship God. Again, I ask God to guide me with His Holy Spirit so that I don’t fall prey to the evil one.  I don’t want to put God’s name to shame.