Asbury Theological Seminary offers congratulations to Alfred Kalembo, recently chosen as the Seminary’s Distinguished Alumnus 2018.
Kalembo, 57, was born in a remote village in Zambia to parents who were never able to attend school. He walked four miles, barefoot, to school each day. Until age 15, he didn’t own a pair of shoes. Christian missionaries shared the love of Christ with Kalembo and recognized him as a bright, motivated student. They helped him with his education. With further help from many others, he was able to attend Asbury Seminary and graduated with his Master of Divinity degree in 2002 and his Doctor of Ministry degree in 2009.
His ministry in his native Zambia has flourished and his work in rural areas has been noticed. He served as National Superintendent of the Pilgrim Wesleyan Church of Zambia for two decades and was then elected bishop of the denomination. He also served a three-year term as president of the Council of Churches in Zambia, an organization comprised of 22 denominations. During his Council presidency, Kalembo was quoted as saying, “Our prophetic role is to speak for the voiceless on issues we consider need the attention of those with the responsibility of managing the affairs of the nation.”
Kalembo has developed partnerships with many American churches, which are very involved in rural projects in Zambia, including schools, medical supplies, clean water and agricultural projects. He and his wife, Muumbe, a pastor and educator in her own right, host many mission teams annually from America.