01/09/2025
𝗗𝗥. 𝗖𝗢𝗥𝗡𝗘𝗟𝗜𝗨𝗦 𝗠𝗔𝗧𝗔𝗡𝗗𝗜𝗞𝗢 𝗥𝗘𝗠𝗘𝗠𝗕𝗘𝗥𝗘𝗗
Seventeen years may have passed, yet the memory of Dr. Cornelius M. Matandiko remains etched deeply in the hearts of many. A man of vision, faith, and eloquence, Dr. Matandiko’s sudden passing on April 2, 2008, left a void in the Seventh-day Adventist Church in Zambia and beyond.
The life of this great preacher began on September 1, 1960, when he was born as the last-born in a family of nine at Ipusukilo Mission in Luwingu District, Northern Province. Raised in a Roman Catholic family, he later encountered the Adventist faith during his secondary school years at Rusangu Secondary School in Monze, where he made the life-changing decision to become a Seventh-day Adventist. That decision set him on a lifelong path of service to God and humanity.
Dr. Matandiko’s academic journey was as inspiring as his ministry. He earned his bachelor’s degree in Theology from Solusi University in Zimbabwe before pursuing advanced studies at Andrews University in the United States, where he obtained both his master’s and doctoral degrees. His educational pursuits reflected his love for learning and his desire to equip himself for effective service.
In 1986, he began his denominational service with the North Zambia Field in Mansa as Education Director. He later served as Stewardship Director at the Zambia Union in Lusaka until 1991. His gift of preaching soon opened broader doors, and in 1996 he became the familiar face and voice behind the Voice of Prophecy program on Zambia’s national broadcaster, ZNBC. Week after week, his clear, passionate preaching reached millions, transforming lives across Zambia and beyond. He would continue this ministry until his death, earning him the reputation of being one of the most powerful and eloquent preachers of his time.
His service was not confined to Zambia. From 2000 to 2004, he served as a senior lecturer at Baraton University in Kenya, shaping future ministers of the gospel. In 2004, he was called back home to serve as President of the Zambia Union Conference, the highest leadership office in the Adventist Church in Zambia. At the time of his death, he was also a member of the Southern Africa-Indian Ocean Division (SID) leadership and a regular preacher on Hope Channel. SID President Paul Ratsara captured the loss when he lamented: “𝗧𝗵𝗲 𝗺𝗶𝗴𝗵𝘁𝘆 𝘁𝗿𝗲𝗲 𝗵𝗮𝘀 𝗳𝗮𝗹𝗹𝗲𝗻; 𝗶𝘁’𝘀 𝗮 𝗵𝗲𝗮𝘃𝘆 𝗯𝗹𝗼𝘄 𝘁𝗼 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝗰𝗵𝘂𝗿𝗰𝗵. 𝗠𝗮𝗻𝘆 𝗺𝗼𝗿𝗲 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗼𝗳 𝗗𝗿. 𝗠𝗮𝘁𝗮𝗻𝗱𝗶𝗸𝗼’𝘀 𝗰𝗮𝗹𝗶𝗯𝗿𝗲 𝘀𝗵𝗼𝘂𝗹𝗱 𝗰𝗼𝗺𝗲 𝗳𝗼𝗿𝘁𝗵!”
His leadership was marked by explosive evangelism. Dr. Matandiko’s passion for soul-winning knew no bounds. He traveled the globe, preaching in towns, villages, and international forums, calling men and women to the Savior. His sermons, especially the unforgettable message titled “PRAY”, are still remembered for their life-transforming power. He was a man who knew the Bible “better than the back of his hand” and spoke of God’s kindness with unmatched clarity.
When he passed away after a short illness in Lusaka, the nation mourned. His funeral was initially planned for Libala SDA Church but had to be moved to the Lusaka Show Grounds to accommodate the massive crowd of more than 20,000 mourners. The service drew church leaders, ordinary members, and national dignitaries alike, including First Lady Maureen Mwanawasa, Health Minister Dr. Brian Chituwo, and Zambia’s founding President Dr. Kenneth Kaunda. Their presence testified to the respect and admiration Dr. Matandiko commanded across both church and state.
Behind this great man stood a woman of faith—his wife, Patience Matandiko. Along with their two daughters, Charity and Tina, she was a constant source of strength. Many remember Patience not only as a supportive spouse but as a mentor and encourager to countless women across Zambia.
Dr. Pardon Mwansa, a fellow leader and close friend, once said at his funeral, “If his life were to be written, the book would be bulky.” Indeed, Dr. Matandiko’s story was one of relentless service, tireless evangelism, and unshakable faith.
Today, as we remember Dr. Cornelius Matandiko, we celebrate a life that embodied dedication, courage, and vision. He showed us that true leadership is service, that preaching must be Spirit-filled and transformative, and that one life wholly given to God can impact a church, a nation, and the world.
𝗛𝗲 𝗿𝗲𝘀𝘁𝘀, 𝗺𝗮𝘆 𝗵𝗶𝘀 𝗹𝗲𝗴𝗮𝗰𝘆 𝗶𝗻𝘀𝗽𝗶𝗿𝗲 𝗮 𝗻𝗲𝘄 𝗴𝗲𝗻𝗲𝗿𝗮𝘁𝗶𝗼𝗻 𝗼𝗳 𝗽𝗿𝗲𝗮𝗰𝗵𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝗮𝗻𝗱 𝗹𝗲𝗮𝗱𝗲𝗿𝘀 𝘁𝗼 𝗿𝗶𝘀𝗲 𝘄𝗶𝘁𝗵 𝘁𝗵𝗲 𝘀𝗮𝗺𝗲 𝘇𝗲𝗮𝗹 𝗳𝗼𝗿 𝗚𝗼𝗱’𝘀 𝗺𝗶𝘀𝘀𝗶𝗼𝗻.
✍️ NZUC Communication Department
