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The Third
General Assembly: Lusaka, Zambia
Theme: Living No Longer
for Ourselves but for Christ
2 Corinthians 5:14-15
1
2-24 May 1974
Opening
Ceremonies
The Assembly began with Rev. John Gatu’s
challenge for delegates to take seriously the Assembly’s theme
of living for others. He spoke against the colonisation,
racism and exploitation ravaging Africa while the church fails
to act against injustice. His inspirational message prepared
the Assembly to tackle difficult but necessary topics while in
Lusaka.
Following Rev. Gatu’s message, Zambia’s
President Kenneth Kaunda officially opened the proceedings. He
echoed Gatu’s call to fight inequality, violence, hunger,
suffering and economic injustice. He cited the church’s
historical mandate to serve others, calling Jesus Christ “the
ultimate humanist” (Utuk, 1997, p.100). President Kaunda’s
involvement in the Assembly symbolized the connection between
the church and the citizens of Africa, the neighbors Christ
calls the church to serve.
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