02/08/2026
BROTHER REUBEN MWANZA Pens Tribute:
THE PRAISE CATHEDRAL KITWE CENTRAL
The Praise Cathedral may have opened its doors 26 years ago and grown steadily, exerting apostolic influence throughout Kitwe, but its story began long before the year 2000.I remember my father's favourite preacher giving his graduation speech as though it were yesterday. It was as if he couldn't wait to hit the ground running. Unlike some Bible school students who would say, "I'm just here to gain knowledge," he declared with unwavering conviction, "Ninebo Pastor ine."
You see, when God calls a person, that calling often appears chaotic to everyone else. Those around you question the sanity of your decisions and wish you had chosen a different path. Imagine if our pastor had given up after just three services because the ground didn't seem fertile. Imagine if Amai Busa had refused to support the calling, Uku fi pasafye so thinking the dream is taking long. But grace always has the final word.By the grace of God, they held on to the call. They trusted the One who called them. Today, look at what the Lord has done. Look at the countless lives transformed, the souls brought to the knowledge of the truth, the families restored, the broken healed, and the Kingdom advanced because two people simply said, "Yes, Lord."
At our Annual General Conference, during the Home Missions offering countdown, The Praise Cathedral would consistently appear among the churches making progress, one step at a time. I would often tease Pastor and ask, "Nomba Cathedral in a classroom?" He would simply laugh and reply, "You will see the cathedral."
Twenty three years ago, I accompanied my father and attended my very first service there. What immediately stood out was how welcoming the church was. It was apostolic in principle, in practice, and in power. The same Holy Spirit who descended in the Upper Room over two thousand years ago was present in that humble classroom. Buildings may differ, but the presence of God remains the same.
The story of acquiring the land on which this magnificent cathedral now stands is itself a testimony of God's faithfulness. Yet perhaps even more astonishing was the vision for the building itself. Its design, scale, and dimensions seemed impossible. Many whispered, "The audacity!"Some remarked, "This is even bigger than Life Tabernacle. Where does he think the money will come from to build such a multi million kwacha facility?" Others concluded, "He has bitten off more than he can chew. This project will become a burden to the members and a white Elephant.
But once again Grace had the last word.Those who doubted the vision, resisted the work, or fought against the progress of the ministry now find themselves on the wrong side of history. Yet the beauty of God's Kingdom is this: the doors of The Praise Cathedral stand open for whosoever will. It is never too late to become part of what God is doing.
Today, 2nd August 2026, the vision that God planted in the heart of our pastor is being dedicated to His glory.What was once a burden in the heart of one man has become a blessing to generations.What was a drawing is now a dwelling. What was once mocked has become a monument to the faithfulness of God. This cathedral is not merely a building of brick, mortar, steel, and glass. It is a testimony that God still honours faith. God still rewards obedience. God still finishes what He starts.
To every saint of The Praise Cathedral thank you for every prayer whispered when no one was listening, every offering given when it was a sacrifice, every hour spent serving, every brick laid, every tear shed, and every battle fought in secret. Heaven has kept record of it all.
May this house forever be a place where the lost find salvation, the broken discover healing, the weary receive strength, and the hungry encounter the living Christ. May generations yet unborn rise within these walls to proclaim the Gospel to the ends of the earth.May every altar call result in souls rescued from darkness. May signs, wonders, and miracles continue to follow.
This is not the pinnacle nor the destination, this is the beginning of an even greater work that the Lord has prepared."Except the Lord build the house, they labour in vain that build it." Yet because the Lord has built this house, no weapon formed against it shall prosper. The gates of hell shall not prevail against it, and its light shall shine for generations to come.
To God alone be all the glory.
Congratulations, The Praise Cathedral.
