28/09/2025
Council of Bishops excommunicates bishop Chama over numerous cases of sexual misconduct, warns against rebellion.
The Council of Bishops of the Pentecostal Assemblies of God Zambia (PAOG-Z) has excommunicated Bishop Joston Chama of Gilgal Mission Centre after what it described as a thoroughly investigated and biblically adjudicated case of sexual misconduct.
PAOG-Z Secretary-General, Bishop Dr. Lenson Bwalya, said Chama’s ministerial credentials and membership were revoked on September 8, 2025.
In a statement issued in Lusaka on Monday, Bwalya explained that the decision was made in line with biblical requirements of holiness and accountability, citing 1 Thessalonians 4:3-5, 1 Timothy 3:1-7, Titus 1:6-7, and Matthew 18:15-20, as well as the PAOG-Z Constitution.
He said Gilgal Mission Centre has since been placed under the direct administrative guardianship of the Lusaka Provincial Bishop and the Provincial Executive, supported by the office of the Southern Region Coordinator.
“Appropriate transitional arrangements are being made to ensure that ministry continues in order, peace, and accountability,” Bwalya said.
He revealed that the case against Chama had been handled since August 2025 in strict accordance with established procedures.
However, Bwalya said recent staged acts of rebellion at Gilgal Mission Centre and the spread of falsehoods on social media claiming fabricated allegations had compelled the Council to address the matter publicly.
“On Sunday 21.09.2025, an eleven-member combined team, comprising representatives of the PAOG-Z Executive Council, the Lusaka Provincial Executive, and the PAOG-Z Disciplinary Committee, visited Gilgal Mission Centre to carry out the third in a roll of normal administrative duties of finalizing the formal announcement of Chama’s excommunication,” he said.
Bwalya expressed regret that some individuals openly defied biblical authority and constitutional order by humiliating and threatening violence against the team.
He condemned the actions, quoting Scripture: “For rebellion is as the sin of witchcraft, and stubbornness is as iniquity and idolatry” (1 Samuel 15:23).
“This conduct not only grieves the Spirit of God but also constitutes rebellion against God-ordained leadership in the Body of Christ. We condemn these actions in the strongest terms,” he added.
Bwalya stressed that the orchestrated rebellion by certain individuals and supporters of the excommunicated Bishop was as serious as the sin that led to his removal and would not be tolerated within PAOG-Z.
“Remedial measures are underway, guided by the Scriptures and constitutional order. As communicated in our internal memorandum of 17th September 2025, PAOG-Z does not engage in vilification or disparagement of individuals under discipline,” he said.
He appealed to members of Gilgal Mission Centre and the wider Fellowship to remain calm as further administrative steps are taken to restore order.
Bwalya assured the PAOG-Z membership that the Council of Bishops was firmly committed to preserving corporate sanity and advancing a unified vision under its 2024–2029 Strategic Plan.
