Saying good-bye to three Apostles in Africa

Three active Apostles in a row have passed away in the past few days on the African continent. Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider paid tribute to their commitment to the now grieving congregations.

Apostle Acacio Francisco Munguambe (South East Africa/Mozambique)

Apostle Munguambe died of heart failure on Wednesday, 26 August 2015 at the age of 55 after a brief but serious illness. Acacio Munguambe served as a minister for 33 years in various ministries. He is survived by his wife Maria, a daughter, and three sons. District Apostle Patrick Mkhwanazi conducted the funeral on Tuesday, 1 September in the church in Malhangalene, Mozambique.

Apostle Munguambe was born on 2 May 1960 as the youngest of four children in Manhiça. His father died when he was only nine months old. After his schooling, Acacio Munguambe worked in an import-export company, where he learned English on the side. Starting in 1979 he worked as a translator for the Zambian embassy, where he became acquainted with Apostle Senda Cumbana. He worked with the latter for three years before experiencing his first divine service in the New Apostolic Church in 1982.

On 21 January November 1982? he was ordained a Sub-deacon. On 2 December 1984 he was given the Priest ministry, and on 9 September 1990, the then young District Evangelist was ordained an Apostle by Chief Apostle Richard Fehr in Hamburg, Germany. "Apostle Munguambe was a pillar in the work of God in Mozambique, and he will be sorely missed. He was well aware of his high calling as an ambassador for Christ, and fulfilled this task with commitment and great diligence," writes Chief Apostle Schneider.

Apostle Adolphe Mulumba Kapalu (Katanga, Democratic Republic of Congo)

Apostle Mulumba passed away on Thursday, 3 September 2015 at the age of 49. Adolphe Mulumba was active in various ministries over 26 years. He is survived by his wife Espérance, to whom he had been married for 30 years and with whom he had had six children. The funeral was conducted by District Apostle Tshitshi Tshisekedi last Saturday, 5 September in the Kolwezi Central church in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Apostle Mulumba was born into a New Apostolic family on 16 January 1966 in Lubumbashi, Democratic Republic of Congo, as the fifth of seven children. His father was a Priest. After attending primary and secondary school and later completing his professional training, Adolphe Mulumba worked as a teacher in various schools, starting in 1988. In addition to the national languages of Swahili and Chokwe, he also spoke French.

On 25 January ? July? 1989, he was ordained to the ministry of Priest, and 13 years later, on 11 August 2002, he was ordained to the Apostle ministry. In his obituary, Chief Apostle Jean-Luc Schneider writes as follows: "Apostle Mulumba served the Lord and the children of God with great zeal, and did so in regions with burdensome conditions of life and travel."

Apostle Aaron Sitali Katungu (Zambia)

Apostle Katungu passed away early Sunday evening, 6 September 2015 at the age of 64. He is survived by his wife Joyce, five daughters, and one son. The funeral service will be conducted today, 10 September 2015 by District Apostle Charles Sakavumbi Ndandula in Ndola.

Apostle Katungu was born into a New Apostolic family on 25 October 1951 in Chingola.

Chief Apostle Richard Fehr ordained the then Bishop Katungu as an Apostle during his last visit to Zambia on 13 March 2005. In the same divine service, the Chief Apostle ordained Charles Ndandula as District Apostle for Zambia and Malawi. Apostle Katungu assumed his working area, namely the Apostle district of Ndola-Mufulira. Today this Apostle district incorporates fourteen Elder districts in the areas of Ndola, Mufulira, Luanshya and Mpongwe.