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A leadership storm has erupted within the Pentecostal Assemblies of God–Zambia (PAOG), after board members of Gilgal Mission Center Church filed a lawsuit in the Lusaka High Court demanding the reinstatement of their excommunicated Bishop, Joston Kalande Chama, who was accused of sexual misconduct.
According to court documents, the board, led by Bodwin Chibuta and 16 others, has sued PAOG Secretary General Bishop Dr. Lenson Bwalya, claiming that Bishop Chama’s suspension and subsequent excommunication were unconstitutional, biased, and executed in violation of church procedures.
The lawsuit follows a complaint lodged with the PAOG Council of Bishops by a former female member of Gilgal Mission Center, accusing Bishop Chama of sexual impropriety. The council convened a meeting on August 15, 2025, to discuss the allegations.
However, the plaintiffs state that what was supposed to be a consultative meeting “quickly turned into an ultimatum for Chama to either retire quietly or step down temporarily.”
When Bishop Chama refused and went ahead to preach on August 17, the PAOG leadership allegedly reacted with fury, suspending him on August 23 before any formal charges were filed.
He was later charged with sexual misconduct under Section 27 of the church’s constitution and given three days to respond. Yet, the disciplinary hearing was allegedly held just two days later, on August 29, denying him the full period to prepare his defense.
The plaintiffs allege that “the same individuals who participated in the initial council hearing also sat on the disciplinary committee—breaching rules of natural justice.”
Despite Chama’s written complaints highlighting bias and procedural breaches, the council went ahead on September 8 to find him guilty and excommunicated him, a punishment the board insists is “not provided for in the PAOG constitution.”
In the days that followed, the church board sought reconciliation and requested that the matter be handled according to scripture and church law. Instead, on September 26, PAOG reportedly dissolved the Gilgal board, placed all staff on administrative leave, and closed the church.
The plaintiffs argue that the actions have “tarnished their reputation and caused irreparable harm to both the Bishop and the congregation.”
They are now asking the High Court to declare all disciplinary actions null and void, reinstate Bishop Chama and the church board, and direct that the case be heard by a neutral panel appointed by the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia, to which both parties are affiliated.
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