02/08/2026
Akuluakulu Ndi Mdambo Mozimila Moto: Honoring the Wisdom of Elder Kalonje
“Let the elders who rule well be counted worthy of double honor, especially those who labor in the word and doctrine.” These profound words from 1 Timothy 5:17 echo deeply when reflecting on the lives of men who have dedicated their years to shepherd God’s flock with humility, patience, and integrity. Today, my thoughts rest heavily on one such man: Elder Kalonje.
A Foundation of Faithful Leadership
I first knew Elder Kalonje when he served alongside my father in ministry. In those early days, our interactions were minimal, but his presence was always respected. Beyond his ecclesiastical role, he carried a unique dual responsibility as a traditional leader—he is also a village chief, known to his community as Amfumu a Chikavumbwa. This dual calling of spiritual and earthly leadership mirrors the biblical expectation of leaders to be well-regarded both inside and outside the church walls (1 Timothy 3:7).
His village proved to be a fertile ground for the gospel. In 2007, when the ministry Joy to the World came to the Dzuwa area, Amfumu a Chikavumbwa’s village graciously hosted the first two missionaries: Brother Elliot and Sister Ulemu, who became very dear brethren. I was there during that season, a young man distributing gospel tracts and trying to discover my place in the ministry. It was during that precise time, after reading Edmund Clowney’s book “Called to the Ministry,” that the Lord solidified my calling. I knew with absolute certainty that I was called to preach the gospel.
Stepping Into the Storm
Fast forward to 2013. The time had come to prepare for a new church plant in the Dzuwa community. Seeking godly counsel, Elder Kalonje was one of the very first people I approached. For him, the prospect of a new Presbyterian church completely committed to the raw, faithful preaching of God’s word was a literal sigh of relief.
Our previous ecclesiastical environment had grown toxic. Church politics had gone south, and the leadership had become heavy-handed. It became a painful environment of "shut up or leave." Everything was falling off balance. Experiencing such leadership friction reminds us of the warning in 1 Peter 5:3, which instructs leaders not to be "lords over those entrusted to you, but being examples to the flock."
Faced with that reality, we chose to leave. This painful but necessary departure marked the birth of what we now call the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Malawi.
I was only 24 years old. I was newly married. And suddenly, I was tasked with leading a brand-new church plant. By human standards, I was vastly underprepared. The only reason the ministry survived—and thrived—lies in the incredible human shield of spiritual fathers God surrounded me with. Elder Kalonje and Elder Mgubani were the key figures. Elder Kalonje was the calm guy; Elder Mgubani was the straightforward guy. As a young pastor, I desperately needed both attributes.
Balancing Zeal with Practical Wisdom
Elder Kalonje nurtured me as if I were his own biological son. His wife became a mother to me, and their son Dan became a great friend—and I am filled with joy to see Dan now serving as one of the church leaders in Dzuwa today.
Whenever crucial decisions had to be made, Elder Kalonje was my go-to person. His decades of experience as both an elder and a traditional chief endowed him with profound wisdom. He moved with extreme caution before embarking on any journey.
When I emerged from Bible college, I was full of "theological fire." Elder Kalonje was the one who gently calmed that fire down. He taught me a lesson that no seminary degree could ever award: a person can possess immense theological knowledge, yet have zero understanding of the practical wisdom required to pastor real human hearts. Having never interned under a seasoned pastor, I was figuring things out through trial and error. Elder Kalonje became the safe testing ground for my theoretical skills before implementation. Some of my ideas were upheld; others were gently dismantled. I am profoundly grateful for both.
The Power of "Ekesi" and Deep Reflection
Elder Kalonje is a man of deep, deliberate thoughts. He never speaks in a meeting just to be heard. You can always tell when he is critically analyzing a situation: he will look down intently at the ground. We would wait in silence, knowing that when he finally lifted his head, something profound was about to be uttered. This embodies the wisdom of Proverbs 10:19, which reminds us that "He who restrains his lips is wise."
He kept all of us young leaders in check. In a team dominated by zealous young men, differing opinions and conflicting ideas can easily spark division. Whenever Elder Kalonje saw an idea or a direction that simply would not work, he would look up and say just one word while motioning with his hand: ekesi (the Chichewa transliteration of the 'X' sign Malawian teachers use when a student fails a test).
When he said ekesi, it needed no further explanation. We knew instantly that we had missed the mark and needed to back off. In our local language, we have a golden saying: what an old person can see while sitting down, a young person cannot see even if they stand on top of a mountain. He saw the pitfalls we were completely blind to. Truly, akuluakulu ndi mdambo mozimila moto (the elders are the damp river valleys where wild bushfires are extinguished). He extinguished many potential fires that could have brought ruin to our young ministry.
An Enduring Pillar
His ultimate strength, however, did not come from human age, but from his deep, unswerving love for Jesus Christ. That love made him an anchor for our leadership team through every storm.
Today, he remains a vital pillar from whom our church seeks knowledge. He still sits on the session in Dzuwa, and he lends his vast wisdom to the executive committee of the Associate Reformed Presbyterian Church of Malawi.
Scripture commands us in Hebrews 13:17 to "Obey those who rule over you, and be submissive, for they watch out for your souls, as those who must give account." Elder Kalonje has watched over our souls with the heart of a true shepherd. Such men, who lead with patience, temper theological zeal with practical grace, and love the bride of Christ unconditionally, are indeed worthy of double honor.
