Debbie
is on interpretation assignment in the United States from December 2005
to March 2006. To invite her to speak, see her contact information on
the Mission Speakers page. Debbie serves in Ekwendeni, Malawi, as the
dean of studies and lecturer at Livngstonia Theological College of the
Synod of Livingstonia, a school of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian
(CCAP).
Born in Appleton, Wisconsin, Debbie graduated from the University of
Wisconsin in Madison with a bachelor of arts degree in sociology. She
worked for eight years as a counselor and social worker prior to attending
Austin Theological Seminary, later transferring to Princeton Theological
Seminary, from which she holds a master’s of divinity. She has served
churches in Michigan and Oklahoma, and has been involved with her presbytery’s
partnership with the Synod of Livingstonia in Malawi since its inception.
Birthday: February 26
Debbie was first appointed to serve in Malawi in July 1999. The Synod
of Livingstonia invited Eastern Oklahoma Presbytery to send a clergywoman
to help open doors for women to be ordained as ministers. Debbie answered
that call and became clergy advisor to the Synod on women's issues. In
this capacity, she served as an associate pastor of Zolozolo CCAP congregation
in Mzuzu and as a staff member of the Synod's Lay Training Center in Ekwendeni.
Her work with the Synod is born of the Mutual Ministry Covenant of Eastern
Oklahoma Presbytery (of which Debbie is a minister member) with the Synod
of Livingstonia. That partnership was established in 1997.
In April 2003, the Synod of Livingstonia established Livingstonia Theological
College to train ministers to meet this great need. Debbie was involved
in the planning and inauguration of the college, and she now serves as
dean of studies and lecturer of systematic theology and Christian ethics
there. She also preaches and administers the sacraments at various churches
of the Synod of Livingstonia.
The Synod of Livingstonia serves the northern region of Malawi through
its 122 congregations, 500 primary schools, 4 secondary schools, and 3
hospitals, and through development and relief work and evangelism programs.
The Synod has only 85 ministers to meet the needs of its 600,000 members,
a ratio of one minister to each 7,000 members. With so few ordained clergy
to serve the growing congregations and the vast work of the Synod, the
church must nurture strong lay leadership to preach, teach, govern, and
provide pastoral care.
Malawi is known as the "warm heart of Africa.” Its people are warm and
gracious and filled with the spirit of the living God in the face of great
adversity. This nation of 11 million people is the eighth poorest country
in the world, a nation plagued by HIV/AIDS, malaria and a $2.5 billion
international debt. The church plays a vital role in giving people reason
to hope under such formidable circumstances.
Rev. Deborah A. Chase Debbie Chase Synod of Livingstonia, CCAP PO Box
112 Mzuzu, Malawi debbiechaseccap@malawi.net
Debbie
is on interpretation assignment in the United States from December 2005
to March 2006. To invite her to speak, see her contact information on
the Mission Speakers page. Debbie serves in Ekwendeni, Malawi, as the
dean of studies and lecturer at Livngstonia Theological College of the
Synod of Livingstonia, a school of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian
(CCAP).
