At her birth she was named ‘Esther Chizya-Chalanda.’

Today we all know her as Esther Mkandawire, Kids for the Kingdom national director in Zambia.

“In my culture parents traditionally give their newborn children a Christian name and a tri
bal name,” Esther explains. “My first name ‘Esther’ comes from the Bible. In our tribal language the name ‘Chizya-Chalanda’ means ‘Slave for the Needy’ (or ‘Servant for the Needy’).”

“My parents wanted me to become a Christian woman,” Esther continues. “They also wanted me to be a ‘servant to the needy.’ So the name ‘Chizya-Chalanda’ has become my calling as a Christian.”

Each day Esther ministers to hundreds of children, widows and families living in the intense poverty of N’gombe slum. She brings healing, help and hope to the sick, the despondent, and the hungry. She is fulfilling the meaning of her name. She has become a ‘slave to the needy.’

Esther is not alone in this high calling. All of us are called to be ‘servants to the needy.’ It is not just a goal of the Kids for the Kingdom organization. God calls all Christians to serve the needy. The Apostle Paul reminded us of this high calling: ‘Though I am free and belong to no man, I make myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible’ (I Corinthians 9:19).

This calling comes with a reminder. We can not be ‘servants’ our own power. It is only possible to ‘become a servant of this gospel’ when we remember that we serve by ‘God’s grace… and through the working of his power.’

‘I became a servant of this gospel by the gift of God’s grace given me through the working of his power.’ – Ephesians 3:7