The Zambia president, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, and his wife, Mutinta Hichilema, visit the site of the recent Southern Zambia Union Conference Dorcas Rally. [Photo: Ezra Mwamza]

More than 37,000 church members serving in Dorcas ministries connect and fellowship.

June 18, 2025 | Zambia | Earlymay Chibende and Noel Sibanda, Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division, and Adventist Review

More than 37,000 Seventh-day Adventist women recently gathered for the historic Southern Zambia Union Conference (SZUC) Dorcas Rally in Monze District, located in the southern part of Zambia. The Zambia president, His Excellency Hakainde Hichilema, and his wife, Mutinta Hichilema, visited the site during the event.

Also present were Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) president Harrington S. Akombwa, as well as Passmore Mulambo, SID Personal Ministries director, and Vanny Munyumbwe, president of the SZUC.

More than 37,000 Seventh-day Adventist women recently gathered for the historic Southern Zambia Union Conference Dorcas Rally. [Photo: Ezra Mwamza]
Under the theme “Deepen and Deploy,” the weeklong rally was heralded as the largest Dorcas event ever held in the history of the Seventh-day Adventist Church. It drew more than 37,000 Dorcas women from across six church entities within the territory.

Hichilema officially opened the rally. His presence drew national attention and marked a significant moment of recognition for Adventist Dorcas “mothers,” renowned for their commitment to community service and faith-based outreach, regional church leaders said.

“Be indeed the mothers of your community as you discharge your duties in the communities that you serve,” Zambia president Hakainde Hichilema said. [Photo: Ezra Mwamza]
In his address Hichilema—affectionately known as HH—challenged the Dorcas women to remain steadfast in God’s mission despite challenges. “Be indeed the mothers of your community as you discharge your duties in the communities that you serve,” he urged.

Munyumbwe described the gathering as the largest of Dorcas mothers worldwide and encouraged the women to maintain their strong presence in the community. “The objective of this Dorcas rally is to strengthen our mothers spiritually,” he stated. He further emphasized that church leadership is inspired by the event and challenged the women to go into their communities and emulate Jesus Christ’s ministry of love and compassion.

Zambia First Lady Mutinda Hichilema addresses the more than 37,000 Adventist Dorcas women who recently gathered for a week of fellowship and inspiration. [Photo: Ezra Mwamza]
For his part, Mulambo, who was one of the main speakers, delivered a series of inspirational messages throughout the week. He encouraged the Dorcas women to mobilize their resources in support of the church’s mission. “This is not just the biggest Dorcas rally,” he said. “The impact of these women will be felt across Zambia by the people they serve.”

Evans Manjimela, SZUC Personal Ministries director and host of the Dorcas rally, expressed joy over the dedication of church members in Zambia. “The rally not only reaffirmed the vital role of Dorcas in community service but also launched a renewed wave of mission deployment, with thousands pledging to engage in community outreach. Truly it was a historic and spirit-filled moment for the SZUC.”

Dorcas women commited to participate in the I Will Go Seventh-day Adventist global mission strategy. [Photo: Ezra Mwamza]
According to organizers, the event was marked by vibrant worship, dynamic presentations, and heartfelt testimonies. “It served as a powerful catalyst for spiritual revitalization and unity,” they reported. “The unprecedented turnout demonstrated the Dorcas mothers’ deep commitment to the mission of the world church and its strategic initiative I Will Go.”

The original version of this story was posted on the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division news site.