By Esther Chisola
Hundreds of mourners gathered at Healing Word Ministries International in Kabulonga, Lusaka, to honour the life and legacy of pastor Moses Chiluba, the founder of Healing word ministries and CAMNET Television.
Pastor Chiluba passed away on January 7, 2025, after an illness, leaving behind a profound legacy of faith, leadership and Christian service.
The Church, where Pastor Chiluba had ministered for decades, was filled with family members, congregants, friends and other mourners.
The atmosphere was somber yet reverent, as attendees reflected on the indelible impact of pastor Chiluba’s life.
From the moment the news of his passing broke, family, friends, congregants and admirers from all walks of life flocked to the funeral house in Ibex Hill, Lusaka.
Notable government officials and opposition leaders who included the vice-President Mutale Nalumango, United Kwacha Alliance (UKA) members and religious leaders among them, MMD leader pastor Nerves Mumba, Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia (EFZ) general secretary Bishop Andrew Mwenda were present at the funeral house to show solidarity with the grieving family.
In an interview, pastor Mumba described the late pastor Chiluba as a pioneer of many things stressing that he was more like a twin brother to him.
“He is one of the pastors who understood not only spiritual responsibility but his social responsibility and I’m very proud of him. He was a friend of mine. We were of the same age. We started ministry together. We were very close. My heart is broken to lose him. It’s like losing a twin,” he said.
He said pastor Chiluba would be celebrated for the manner he spoke for the poor.
“But we celebrate his life because not only did he preach the gospel in the manner that he did, but he also spoke for the poor. He spoke for the underprivileged and the voiceless. He was a fearless minister of the gospel when it came to matters of justice. And ensuring every Zambian is respected,” he said.
Pastor Mumba said pastor Chiluba would be remembered as an apostle to the nation.
“He will be remembered as an apostle to the nation, not just to the Church. An apostle who points to the right direction of hope for the whole nation,” said Pastor Mumba.
And UKA chairperson Sakwiba Sikota said the late Pastor Chiluba was not afraid to talk on any subject.
“When he talked about a subject, he talked about it from his heart. He was not afraid to tell you if you were wrong that you are wrong, and to point out why you are wrong. And apart from that, to then tell you in which direction you should go to correct that wrong which you were doing,” he said.
He said pastor Chiluba would be remembered as a true man of God who could be relayed upon by anyone.
“A lot of people would attack him saying no, he is political and so on and then you see a few months later, they are the ones now who are happy with what he is saying about them. He will be remembered as a true man of God, as somebody who you would rely on. As somebody who was an inspiration for many” said Sikota.
