Born on 5th April 1955, Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera had no sign of greatness around him nor his family while growing up.
One thing however might have stood out for him; his name…Lazarus would rise from death…death that seemed to exist all around him.
His father, an evangelist and a farmer, named him Lazarus with the hope that he won’t die in his childhood as his parents had lost 2 sons who passed away at infancy. His father never knew that the situation surrounding his birth which led to his name would be re-enacted in Lazarus’ future political career.
His humbling background as a farmer’s child didn’t deter him from reaching his academic/ career goals, as he graduated from University of Malawi in 1977 with a Bachelor of Arts (Philosophy) Degree, a Master’s Degree in Theology from University of South Africa in 1991 and a Doctorate Degree (D.Min) from Trinity International University, USA in 2000.
Reverend Dr Lazarus worked as an instructor at the Assemblies of God School of Theology from 1983 to 2000 before becoming the Principal in 1996. He also held various leadership positions including General Superintendent of Malawi Assemblies of God for over twenty years, Chairman of Southern Africa Assemblies of God Alliance (SAAGA) and President of African Assemblies of God Alliance (AAGA).
Worthy of note was his drive towards church planting. According to George O. Wood, the current Chairman of the World Assemblies of God Fellowship, “His goal was to plant a church within walking distance of every citizen of Malawi.”
In May 2013, he stepped aside as the General Superintendent of Assemblies of God Malawi to answer a higher call as ordained by God. In his words, “I had to argue with God over a direction in life that didn’t seem natural to me. But after a lot of discussion, God was saying that: I’m extending your ministry so that you’re able to pastor a whole nation.”
With no political experience, he stepped out in faith, contested in the 2014 Malawi General election and ‘lost’, though the election was flawed. Not one to give up, he contested again in the 2019 Presidential election, ‘lost’ and his mandate was almost stolen but for the timely intervention of God and the court ruling in February 2020 which ordered a rerun election since the 2019 election was marred by irregularities.
On 23rd June 2020, Mr Lazarus McCarthy Chakwera made history as the first opposition leader to win a rerun election in Africa, emerging as the 6th President of Malawi and reportedly said, “I do feel like Lazarus, I’ve come back from the dead, it’s been a long journey and we feel vindicated in a way,”. He also shared a tweet, “Thank you, my Lord Jesus” following his victory.
He is married to Monica and the union is blessed with four children and grandchildren.
Indeed, this is proof that you can’t leave all to follow Jesus and not prosper in whatsoever you do. From a farmer’s son to a President of 18 million people. What can’t you do, Jesus?
And saviours shall come up on mount Zion to judge the mount of Esau; and the kingdom shall be the LORD’s (Obadiah 1:21)
Sources: Assemblies of God Page, BBC News, Premier Christian News, Church Gist Archives
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