Malawi’s newest president, Lazarus Chakwera signals hope for the people of Malawi and for Christians across the African continent. He was sworn into office in late June 2020 and identifies himself as a “man of God.”

After Malawi’s much-disputed 2019 election—the results of which were annulled by the court system—Chakwera threw his hat in the ring and was embraced by the country’s large Christian population.

Chakwera’s leadership skills originated in the church.  He led Malawi’s Assemblies of God for over 20 years, only leaving his role as pastor when he felt God’s firm call to politics.

“I had to argue with God over a direction in life that didn’t seem natural to me,” he admitted. “God was saying that: ‘I’m extending your ministry so that you’re able to pastor a whole nation.’”

It was a thrilling thought for Chakwera, who then studied the Scriptures carefully to understand God’s design for leadership in the social and political realms of life.

Although he has no intention of turning Malawi into a theocracy, Chakwera understands the importance of Christian leadership for the protection and prosperity of every nation.

“The president believes that government is something that God subscribes to in nations in order to bring about order and progress in society, for the flourishing of human beings,” noted Sean Kampondeni, one of Chakwera’s advisors.

“In Malawi, he feels that the government institutions have been deliberately crippled over the last 25 years to not provide that service and he is there as someone who is offering [himself] to do that.”

Chakwera has spoken openly about his “dream” for Malawi, a dream “that binds us together…to enjoy shared prosperity, not just freedom.”

Now that he’s been elected president, Chakwera is determined to lead Malawi—and surrounding nations—into a season of God-honoring action.

As Christians across the African continent are threatened by violent persecution and terrorist attacks, Chakwera is focused on protecting the vulnerable populations within Malawi’s borders.

“This new Malawi is a home for [everyone] and so long as I am its president, it will be a home in you too will prosper,” Chakwera told the nation.

So far, the president has worked hard to unite the many different factions across the nation.

“He’s got a huge task as the past regime was so openly tribalistic in its appointments of people and people felt sidelined, especially from the central and northern regions,” wrote one journalist.

“Christians dream for a better country and an improved leadership,” added Matilda Matabwa, secretary general of the Malawian Assemblies of God.

“We expect to see and experience the birth of a new nation, and are excited to have a highly respected man of God as the head of state.”

God is responsible for appointing the leaders of nations and I have reported previously on the fact that we have seen God over rule in seemingly impossible situations to appoint His Kingdom man, three notable examples are Donald Trump (God’s wrecking ball) in the USA, Scott Morrison in Australia and Jair Bolsanaro of Brazil. This latest appointment, Lazarus Chakwera of Malawi is an encouraging sign. Sadly in many nations God gives the people the leader they want who will lead them further down a path of judgement and destruction.

At the start of Jesus Millennial Reign we know God judges the nations. It is called the Sheep and Goat Judgement and it will determine those who live on into the Millennium. How important it is that we pray that our nation may be a sheep nation.