Providence Industrial Mission

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Providence Industrial Mission. The first independent church related to Ethiopianism in Malawi (formerly Nyasaland), founded in 1900 by John Chilembwe (c.1870–1915). Chilembwe was educated in the USA, and supported then and later by the National Baptist Convention. He organized an abortive rising in 1915. Chilembwe was killed and the rising easily suppressed, but he remains a national hero in Malawi today. His ‘New Jerusalem’ church, built in 1913 at Chiradzulu, was demolished by the authorities. His followers were allowed to reorganize in 1926, under the leadership of Dr Daniel S. Malekebu (also educated in the USA). The Church split in the 1970s. One branch, the Independent Baptist Convention, claims a following of 25,000–30,000, and is a member of the Christian Council of Malawi.

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Providence Industrial Mission

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