Breaking Barriers at St John’s Anglican Seminary: A New Chapter in Ministry
At the heart of Kitwe, Zambia, St John’s Anglican Seminary is writing a new chapter in its history, one filled with hope, progress, and inclusion. Thanks to the unwavering support of our donors, the seminary has not only sustained its mission of training clergy but has taken bold steps toward gender equality in ministry.
This year, for the first time, female candidates are being trained for ordination. Paxina Banda, studying at St John’s Seminary, and Audreen Kamukwamba, preparing at a Presbyterian college in Ndola but coming to St John’s for Anglican Studies lectures, represent a milestone in the Anglican Church’s journey toward inclusivity in Zambia. Their presence signals a future where leadership in the church reflects the diversity of God’s people.
Your generosity has made this possible. Every dollar contributed has a story behind it:
- Library books and ICT resources empower students with knowledge.
- Support for staff and visiting lecturers ensures quality education.
- Degree development funding strengthens the foundation for theological excellence.
Six students graduated in November 2025, ready to serve their communities with faith and dedication. Another six are in their second year, eager to follow in their footsteps. These future leaders hail from dioceses across Zambia, bringing with them a rich tapestry of experiences and perspectives.
Yet, the journey is not without challenges. Zambia’s ongoing power shortages have tested the resilience of the staff and students, making online learning and communication difficult. But through it all, your support has been a beacon of light, keeping classrooms open, libraries stocked, and dreams alive.
As we look ahead, we invite you to continue walking with us. Every gift you give helps shape a church that is vibrant, inclusive, and ready to meet the spiritual needs of tomorrow.
Paxina Banda is one of St John’s Anglican Seminary’s first two ordinands who are female. Photo courtesy of Paxina.
Read the story of Paxina Banda, St John’s Seminary’s first female ordination candidate:
“My name is Paxina Banda. I’m 29 years old, a good age, I think, for the path I have chosen: old enough to have seen a bit of the world, but young enough to still serve with energy and dedication. I’m not married nor have any kids. I come from the Ngoni people especially from Eastern province. Before I entered the Seminary, I had a very different life. For three busy years I worked as secondary school teacher. I taught business studies and commerce, trying to instill a sense of pride and critical thinking in my students. But the biggest part of my life before the priesthood involved my formal studies. I attended the Zambia Institute of Business and Industrial Practice where I studied for and successfully attained a Bachelor of Arts in Education.
“In those years, I thought I was simply preparing for a career, now I realize that God was preparing me a calling. The patience needed to teach a restless class, the love for truth and discipline of academic study – all of it laid the ground work for the life I lead now. The classroom was my first Ministry and the Pulpit is my second. My journey to priesthood is rooted deeply in my home. I’m a candidate for the Diocese of Northern Zambia. It’s a region where I grew up, where my family still lives, and where I hope ultimately to serve my people. I have been in the Seminary for three months now. It is a world away from the classroom, a space of intense spiritual and intellectual discipline.
“My absolute favourite subject is Homiletics because it teaches me how to preach, deliver a good sermon and relate with the congregation. The best things about studying at St John’s Anglican Seminary are two-fold. Firstly, the rich communal life. Living, praying and studying alongside brothers from different tribes and backgrounds is a constant lesson in unity and mutual respect. Secondly, in the Anglican balance of Scripture, tradition, and reason, we are encouraged not just to believe, but to think deeply and critically about our faith. It creates a robust, intellectual, and deeply spiritual formation. However, it is not without its challenges. The primary difficulty is the sheer weight of the academic load combined with the spiritual demands. Furthermore, being the first female that St John’s has admitted to study, it is sometimes lonely and sometimes I’m homesick, but I hold fast to the purpose.
“If all goes well, and by God’s grace, I expect to be ordained Deacon in four years’ time. It is a day I pray for constantly, for formally stepping into ministry, a true servant of the Church. While my ordination is set for four years, the Bishop will decide on my first posting. The exact parish is unknown to me, as the needs of the Diocese often dictate the placements. All I know is that I will be sent where I’m most needed, somewhere within the Diocese of Northern Zambia. I pray it is a place where my teaching background can be useful, perhaps a rural mission congregation with a need for mentorship. What excites me most about parish ministry is the direct, tangible contact with the people. The Seminary gives us theory, the parish is where we apply the Gospel to reality, offering pastoral care to the grieving, preparing couples for marriage, celebrating the sacraments, and crucially helping people connect their Monday-to-Friday lives with their Sunday faith. I want to build communities that are centres of both spiritual nourishment and practical support.
Anglican life in Zambia and beyond
“The Anglican Church plays a vital role in Zambia, reaching far beyond the walls of the church building. Our role is one of holistic development. We run numerous schools, providing quality education, especially in underserved rural areas. We manage hospitals and clinics, often being the only source of medical care for many communities. We are a strong voice for justice, integrity, and good governance, speaking out on behalf of the poor and marginalized. In short, we are committed to both the spiritual salvation and the earthy well-being of people in Zambia. It is truly inspiring to be part of the Anglican province, the Church of the Province of Central Africa that is made up of many countries: Zambia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and Malawi. It feels like being part of a large, vibrant family that crosses borders. What this means to me is a powerful sense of shared mission and resilience. We share common challenges, like poverty and disease, but also common strength, like deep faith and community spirit. It reminds me that my ministry is not just local, but part of Christ’s global body.
“I would like to tell the Australian Anglicans about the vibrancy of our worship and the sense of community. Our services are often filled with singing, dancing, and heartfelt testimony. It’s an expressive faith. When we gather, it’s not just an hour on Sunday, it’s an event. Furthermore, our Church is absolutely central to the whole community. When an Anglican Church is planted, it’s quickly followed by a school, a clinic, or a bore hole. We don’t separate the spiritual work from the practical work of development, it’s all holistic ministry. I’d also want them to know about our reliance on prayer. We have prayer meetings every day, sometimes before dawn. In Zambia, life can be difficult – access to resources is a daily challenge – so our faith isn’t an abstract theory it’s a daily lifeline.
“I would like to convey my deep sense of gratitude for the partnership between ABM and St John’s Seminary. We benefit so much from the resources, the training, and the prayer support we receive from our brothers and sisters across the Anglican Communion, including Australia. I feel part of a global, interconnected body.
“My final message is a plea: please continue to pray for our growth, for our resources, and for the wisdom of our leaders as we work to share the Gospel in this part of Africa. And know that we are praying for you, too.
“Thank you for reading my story. “