Get to know Filimao Chambo

Due to Africa Regional Director Eugénio R. Duarte being elected to the role of general superintendent, Filimao Chambo was elected as Africa Regional Director by the Board of General Superintendents and General Board of the Church of the Nazarene.

Chambo has served as regional coordinator of Nazarene Education and Discipleship (NED) services for the Africa Region since 2007. In this role he oversaw education providers throughout the African church as well as ministry services of Nazarene Youth International (NYI), Nazarene Missions International (NMI), Sunday School and Discipleship Ministries International, and Children's Ministries in Africa.

Born in Maputo, Mozambique, Chambo accepted Christ as a child. At age 17, Chambo felt called to a career in Christian service. Much of his early maturity as a church leader stemmed from growing up in a parsonage with both parents in full-time ministry. His mother was pastor of the largest Nazarene church in Africa, and his father was a district superintendent for many years. 

Chambo completed a diploma in theology at Seminario Nazareno em Mozambique (SNM) in Maputo, a Th.B. at Nazarene Theological College (NTC) in Muldersdrift, South Africa, and a M.A. and Ph.D. in Biblical Studies at the University of Johannesburg. 

He was ordained as an elder in the Church of the Nazarene in 1999. He speaks several African languages in addition to English and Portuguese.

Chambo has held pastoral positions at the Mphagani Church of the Nazarene in the Limpopo Province of South Africa, El Dorado Park Church of the Nazarene in Johannesburg, and Matola Central Church of the Nazarene in Mozambique. He has also been a lecturer at Africa Nazarene School of Extension and NTC.

During his years as pastor, Chambo and his wife, Samantha, an ordained elder and regional NMI coordinator for Africa, established a preschool for children from the church and community. He also was instrumental in creating the church's HIV/AIDS ministry in Mozambique where over 1.5 million (USD) from USAID and other faith-based funding partners was mobilized in collaboration with the Mozambique Church, NYI, and Nazarene Compassionate Ministries.

In 2002, Chambo was elected principal of SNM. He was then appointed Regional Education Coordinator for Africa in 2005. During his time in this position, he worked with the Africa Region Course of Study Advisory Committee (ARCOSAC) in the rewriting of courses of study for all theological colleges and served on the International Course of Study Advisory Committee (ICOSAC), which ensures educational requirements for the denomination are met.

Also, he served with the International Board of Education in the review of educational providers, extension education, and distance learning programs on the Africa Region. Chambo participated in development of the Association of Nazarene Education Systems in Africa, which was established as an educational community to make quality Holiness education accessible to every church leader in Africa with a primary emphasis in theological training.

The Chambos reside in Johannesburg, where they are active members of the El Dorado Park Church of the Nazarene. They have two children, Tsakani (9) and Emanuel (6).

Chambo was installed as the fourth Regional Director of Africa in September by General Superintendent Eugénio R. Duarte.

Holiness Today, November/December 2009
 

 

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