Equipping for Ministry Online
Easter Kalambo, Picture
by Glenn Edwards, Zambia
Easter Kalambo, who is married and a mother of four, lives in the community of Macha in rural Zambia. Since 1987, she has been Chaplain at Macha Mission Hospital, preaching in hospital wards, the outpatient department as well as at the hospital chapel. So far, she has not preached in church, as it is not very common to let women preach at the pulpit. Now Easter has done something that may boost her ministry career: She took part in “Equipping for Ministry” by the Brethren in Christ Church, an online theology course designed for people in the Christian ministry who cannot take part in traditional on-campus training. eLearning Africa reporter Brenda Zulu spoke to Easter in Macha.
 Could you tell us about yourself and how you have been using the Internet?
Easter Kalambo: I have been Chaplain at Macha Mission Hospital since 1987. Since then, I have preached in all hospital wards as well as in the outpatient department. I also preach at the hospital chapel and have done counselling in my office as well as in the hospital’s voluntary counselling and testing room. I possess a diploma in peace-building and conflict resolution from Mindolo Ecumenical Foundation.
Since all of my four children are living and studying abroad, the arrival of the Internet came as a blessing to me. It has not only made it possible for me to communicate with my children everyday, using e-mail and Skype, but it has also made it possible to connect with the world and to hear what is happening in other parts of the world in a short time.
And last but not least, the Internet has been of great aid in my career. In August this year, I could finish my course in theology online.
Could you tell us something about the course?
Easter Kalambo: The course is called “Equipping for Ministry” and it is offered by the Brethren In Christ Church in North America. It is a directed study programme of the church, covering a full spectrum of material essential for a clear biblical understanding of ministry. Course modules cover subjects such as bible survey, evangelism, world religions and Christian ethics. I could do all the courses online. Supporting materials such as books were sent to me from the course provider. At the end of the course, attendees are awarded with a certificate. I am eager to see how it will be designed. I am one of the people who have studied “Equipping for Ministry” online.
Did the course at one time require you to travel?
Easter Kalambo: Yes, when I was doing the “Theology of peace making” module, I ended up visiting the Choma Victim Support Unit. We were required to visit and discuss with another group that was practicing peacemaking. I also enjoyed finding out what the police were doing for peacemaking strategies.
Where could you access the course?
Easter Kalambo: I did it at home. We have Internet in our house, for which I am thankful indeed. At the very beginning, maybe for like three weeks, I had to use the Internet cafe. Thanks to my husband's acting quickly, we were one of the people who were lucky to get Internet access in the house. I must also thank Gertjan Van Stam for this service.
Now that you have done this course, have you started preaching at church?
Easter Kalambo: Until now, I have only preached on Women Sundays. It is not yet very common for many churches to give a woman the pulpit to preach. I have been preaching in hospital wards either on a one-to-one basis when someone shows interest or to a group of people in the whole ward.
How did you manage to do the course seeing that you are a married woman?
Easter Kalambo: I am blessed because my husband gave me a lot of support. He stayed with me most of the time when I worked on the computer since he is more computer literate than I am. He also made sure there was always a computer running as well as another one on stand-by, for which I am very thankful for his acting responsibly for me, otherwise it would have been difficult.
I am married to the Executive Director of Macha Hospital and he is a very busy person in that he is always almost out on work trips. You know it is difficult to live in a house as a woman because men depend so much on us to play our gender roles. And so the Internet, especially having it in my house, is a gem. Indeed, if this course was not online, I would not have managed to do it because of my other roles I need to play as a wife.
Do you have any plans to take up other online courses?
Easter Kalambo: God willing, I am planning to do Hebrew and Greek, the original bible languages, so that I can have a better understanding of the bible teachings. I have also encouraged my friends to do training online but no one has started yet. The lack of computers and Internet connection in their households makes it rather difficult.
December 17, 2008
The interview was conducted by Brenda Zulu.
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