Oral History Interview with Lawrence Temfwe

Brief Description: Oral history interview in which Temfwe discusses his childhood and early manhood in Zambia, his prison term, conversion while in prison, and first steps in his Christian life, his education at the Theological College of Central Africa, his work with Prison Fellowship, the development and programs of Prison Fellowship in Zambia, his participation in the Billy Graham Association's Mission World, impressions of John Stott and Charles Colson, work as a Christian newspaper columnist, evaluation of the church in Zambia in 1997.

Full name		Lawrence Temfwe
Birth		May 5, 1955, Luanshya, Zambia
Family
	Parents	Aseasan [?] and Felista [?] Temfwe
	Siblings	One older sibling and six younger
	Marital Status	Married Martha Bandala [?], January 1987
	Children	Lawrence Jr., David, Samuel
Conversion		December 1981
Ordination		Two sisters and five brothers: older brother Guy and younger siblings: Elizabeth, Bright, Angel, Angela, Patrick, Martin
Education
	1969-1973	Luanshya Boys Secondary School, Luanshya, Zambia
	1984-1986	Theological College of Central Africa, Ndola, Zambia, received a degree in theology
	1995	Attended three month course at Institute of Contemporary Christianity, London
	1997-1999	Wheaton College Graduate School, received M.A. degree in Missions and Intercultural Studies
Career
	1973-1980	Worked at Standard Charter Bank of Zambia, Ltd.
	1980-1981	Assistant accountant with Chloride Zambia, Ltd.
	1981-1982	Convicted on charges of embezzlement, served sixteen months in prison
	1986	Lecturer at Mushill Bible Institute
	1987-1989	National Chaplain, Prison Fellowship, Zambia
	1989-1997?	Executive Director, Prison Fellowship, Zambia
	1989	Participated in Prison Fellowship International conference, Costa Rica. Led workshop in criminal reforms. Awarded a “Freedom Award” in recognition of a former prisoner whose life and work inspires other prisoners.
	1992-1995	Part-time pastor of his church
	1992	Participated in Prison Fellowship International Conference, Seoul, South Korea, led two workshops on program development and restorative justice
	1992	Attended Haggai Leadership Training Institute, Singapore
	1995	Participated in Prison Fellowship International Conference, led workshop on “Holistic Outreach to Prisoners”
	1995	Chairman of board of governors of Theological College of Central Africa, Ndola, Zambia
	1995	Coordinator of the BGEA global television outreach in his home town
	1995-1997	Associate Pastor of Bread of Life Church
	1996	Appointed member of the Prison Reform Committee
Other significant information
		Both his parents became committed Christian under his guidance

Lawrence Temfwe was interviewed by Robert D. Shuster on October 31 and November 7, 1997, at Billy Graham Center Archives. The events described in the interview cover the time period 1955-1997.

T1 (60 minutes). Family background, description of parents (fathers alcoholism), working to help support of his family and pay for his school expenses, experiences as a golf caddie, desire to become a journalist, little or no exposure to Christianity, experience working at a bank, non-Christian living (drinking with friends), Zambia independence, racial relations with whites from other African countries particularly from Rhodesia, reason for leaving bank after eight years, work as assistant accountant, stealing from the company to support his new life style, seeking God before his trial, experiences in prison, the prison clinic, prison church services, the stolen blanket which led to his conversion, Christian witness to fellow prisoners, reaction of prisoners and guards to his conversion, beginning to study the scripture, mother’s response to his conversion, apologizing to those he’s sinned against and returning money he stole, attending a house church, adjusting to being an ex-prisoner, spiritual growth.

T2 (75 minutes). Reasons for applying to Theological College of Central Africa, adjusting to college life, describing college and what he learned there, memorable professor, house church activities, influence of Russ Logan especially after his imprisonment and later in church work, children’s ministry, needs of young people, meeting future wife and proposing to her, call to Christian work, dealing with government officials, training Prison Fellowship volunteers, needs of prisoners, vocational training of prisoners, ex-prisoners, and their wives and children, spiritual needs of prisoners, benefits and struggles of prison work, training Prison Fellowship staff in other countries, Prison Fellowship International Conferences, involvement with Billy Graham Evangelistic Association’s Mission World program, influence of John Stott and Charles Colson.

T3 (35 minutes). Description of John Stott and Charles Colson, relations between the Church and the government of Zambia, reasons for writing Christian newspaper columns, Temfwe’s pastoral ministry, strengths and weaknesses of the church in Zambia, work with the Peace and Justice Commission of the Association of Evangelicals in Africa.

The materials in this collection were given to the Archives of the Billy Graham Center by Lawrence Temfwe in October and November 1997.

Item# - Reel or cassette, speed, length, number of sides, contents (title of session, participants) according to the program, date.

#	R/C	Speed	Length	Sides	Contents	Dates
T1	R	3-3/4	60 min	1	Interview of Lawrence Temfwe by Robert D. Shuster	Oct. 31, 1997
T2	R	3-3/4	75 min	1	Interview of Lawrence Temfwe by Robert D. Shuster. Continues of tape T3	Nov. 7, 1997
T3	R	3-3/4	35 min	1	Continuation of interview of Lawrence Temfwe by Robert D. Shuster	Nov. 7, 1997

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Oral History Interview with Lawrence Temfwe - Collection 549

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