In May of 1997, missionaries David
and Cheryl Newberry started Miracle Life Family Church as directed by God’s
spirit. They met with seventeen people
at the Pamodzi Hotel in Lusaka and began to share their vision of an international
church in Lusaka that would reach and touch the lives of many. The Newberry’s had served as pastors,
missionaries and evangelists in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia for over 20
years.
Year by year, hurting people were
restored, leaders were developed and the church began to grow with steady
progress. Ministries were established to
help the lives of people and God’s hand was evident. After meeting for years at the Mulungushi
International Conference Centre, a lease was obtained in 2000 to rent the
former Oasis building on Great East Road. After much hard work to remodel the premises, the church moved into the
former night club.
The church grew yet again from a few
hundred to over 600. In 2002, Mrs.
Newberry passed away, leaving a huge void in the church. The church rallied around Pastor Newberry and
his daughter Traci and the church continued to grown, adding a second service
in 2003.
During 2003, Pastor Newberry began to sense God’s direction that a change of leadership should take place. He began to pray and discuss with Walker and Haley Schurz about becoming the next pastors of Miracle Life. Walker and Haley were living in South Africa and leading a ministry that taught and trained pastors and leaders in Southern Africa.
In January 2004, Walker and Haley Schurz
became the senior pastors. The
transition and God’s grace at the time was evident. The body and existing leaders took up the
challenge gave incredible support to their new pastors.
Since 2004, God has blessed the
church with steady direction and growth. Staff and leaders have been added and now the church touches the lives
of over 3000 people each Sunday during the two identical services. Children, youth and singles are discipled and
lives are changed by God’s grace and love.
The church has built on
20 acres of land they acquired in Roma along Zambezi Road. The 2,200 seat church has enabled Miracle
Life to continue to reach lives “because people matter.” Hundreds have given sacrificially to help the
church build its new premises and it will stand as a testimony to God’s
faithfulness and a body of believers who care about reaching the lost, broken
and hurting.
The days ahead look bright for Miracle Life as God will continue to work in the hearts of those yielded to Him. This church realizes that God raised them up for such a time as this and will continue to give their lives to see His will and plan come to pass.
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