Meet Joseph – Masters Student at ZTU

Rev Joseph Mthinda, can you introduce yourself to this blog?

I was born on 29 February 1980 at Gwaza Village in Ntcheu District, the only child of my parents who were divorced when I was three years old. It was in 1997, while I was a secondary school student, that I heard God calling me to the holy ministry. It took patience and persistence but in 2005 I was accepted as a ministerial candidate and started my theological training at Zomba Theological College. The previous year I was married to Jane Hastings Gwaza and we have been blessed with four daughters. Since ordination I have served in three congregations of the CCAP Nkhoma Synod before taking up my current appointment at Dowa CCAP.

It sounds like you have a busy life. What prompted you to apply for the new MTh course at Zomba Theological University?

As a church leader, I have the vision and desire to work hard and serve the Lord earnestly with all my mind, strength and soul. Taking my education up to Masters level is an opportunity to become better equipped to preach the Word of God and to exercise mature leadership in the life of the church. I am expecting that the Masters studies will be transformative at a personal level, changing the way I think, lead and live.

How has been your experience of the course so far?

We have hard-working, loving and, most importantly, very encouraging lecturers. They are always available and geared to assist us whenever there is need – this is highly motivational. At the same time, it is a big challenge to meet the financial demands of the programme – fees and other costs.

What are your hopes for the future if you can complete the MTh degree?

I hope to be better equipped to contribute socially, economically and spiritually to both church and nation. Through gaining a stronger understanding of contextual theology, I hope to be better able to “equip the saints for the work of the ministry and build up the Body of Christ” (Ephesians 4:11-12). As well as aiming for academic excellence, I seek to cultivate holiness, self-sacrifice and Christ-like character, so that I can fulfil my calling as a servant of God.