Reverend Baxton Maulidi
New broom sweeps clean, goes the saying. The CCAP Blantyre Synod, during its annual general meeting (AGM) recently, elected Reverend Baxton Maulidi, moderator of Saint Paul’s congregation. JAMES CHIMPWEYA had a chat with the new Presbytery Clerk to get his reaction and plans.
What does being chosen as Presbytery Clerk, mean to you?
This means that people have confidence in me. I once served in the same position in the Chiradzulu Presbytery, so, I don’t think it will be difficult despite it being a big challenge. In every organisation there are ups and downs but if you put God first, everything works for your good. I will work tirelessly with those who are at the presbytery for the next three years.
What are the duties of a Presbytery Clerk?
He is the chief executive officer (CEO) of the Presbytery. He is the one who makes decisions and plan for its prosperity. His duties include planning activities and programmes. As chief executive, he reports to the Blantyre Synod and also seeks some guidance on other developments and programmes.
What are some of your plans for the Presbytery in the next three years?
For your information, Blantyre City Presbytery is the hub of Blantyre Synod and as such we will make sure our programmes fulfil this mandate. We will make sure Blantyre City Presbytery grows in strength and number. We are talking about infrastructure development especially in the rural areas of other presbyteries. We will be working closely with rural churches as Blantyre Synod family.
Could you expand on infrastructure development?
At every congregation, we are supposed to have a church building and a Manse (reverend’s house). In rural setup we know it is difficult to raise money for these two big projects. And what we are saying is members of the church can come to us when they are stuck. To be specific, we can assist them with iron sheets but they have to mould bricks, collect sand, buy cement and build whatever they want.
How are you going to do this with the economic hardships the country is facing?
If you put God first, everything is possible. Our core focus is evangelism because if people have been evangelised, they understand issues easily and adopt any programmes set before them. We will also work with our collaborating partners. As Christians, with faith everything is possible even as we face economic hardships. We are geared to fundraising activities within the presbytery.
How many congregations do you have in your presbytery?
We have 54 congregations, including one congregation and two prayer houses in South Africa and this is only Blantyre City Presbytery which is among the 18 presbyteries in the Blantyre Synod. We have 16 committees or departments at the Presbytery office and these are policy making, youth, health, building, missions and evangelism, chaplaincy, women’s desk, church and society, education, parish, transport, music, chilangizo, finance and the executive committee which I head. If we join hands and every department have its own fundraising venture, our programmes will be sustainable.
