FROM CHINAMWALI TO CHILANGIZO:

When the Albrights moved to Lilongwe in 1960, they linked up with the Achewa PIM.
The Albrights developed a good relationship with the APIM (Longwe 2000:66). For
them it was a ready opportunity to evangelize the people through already established
indigenous local churches (Longwe 2000:66). In addition, Albright saw great potential
in working with the 'tribal people,' for one characteristic of 'group oriented tribes was
that they made decisions on vital issues as a family or group' (Longwe 2000:101).21 The
APIM, who had worked independently, without any foreign body or assistance for some
time then, were divided in their responses to their involvement with the white BMIM.
To the majority of the group, it was an opportunity to be exposed to and work with
other Christians outside their community. Some members, however, felt that their
'independence as an African church was in jeopardy' (Longwe 2000:66). This did not
stop the missionaries who continued to work with the APIM in Bible Studies, and pro­
vided the much-needed leadership training in the APIM.
The BMIM's emphasis on leadership training led to their building of the Bible School
in Lilongwe. The first students in 1962 comprised all the groups and individuals with
whom BMIM had developed a relationship. The BMIM and the APIM continued to
work together in evangelism and church planting. Bible studies, leadership training,
Sunday schools, and also theological training by extension programmes were introduced
by the BMIM to the benefit of the APIM. The converts, especially in the rural areas
continued to join the APIM churches, while those who were meeting in the town were
said to belong to BMIM. Initially there was no problem. However, as the BMIM con­
verts increased, the first Baptist church (Lilongwe Baptist Church) building was built in
the city in Kawale location. Lilongwe Baptist Church became the mother body from
whom emerged more Baptist churches in Lilongwe and most of central Malawi, due to
extensive witnessing by the local converts and continued Bible studies, which were
done jointly with the APIM (Longwe 2000:73-83).
Malawians, therefore, provided the human resources, while the Baptist Mission funded
the ministries with funds from the International Mission Board (1MB) (Longwe
2000:84). APIM members were very zealous in evangelism. The APIM were also
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