The challenge any man of God faces when building a brand, is to make sure that his identity matches the philosophy of Christianity as closely as possible.
Unlike on the secular markets, building a brand on religious market is not easy. It needs a multi-disciplinary, strategic effort; and that every activity is supporting the overall goals of one’s calling.
Reverend Alexander Kambiri of CCAP Nkhoma Synod is a brand name that is well known to the great majority of households. He is a well known public figure in the scope of Christianity both within and beyond Malawi, courtesy of Jesus Christ who found him within an inch of his life. He was saved and became a born again.
With assurance from Jesus Christ “I am with you always, to the very end of the age”, Reverend Kambiri pursued his first degree in Theology at Zomba Theological College and is now pursuing his master’s degree in the same at the same.
After his ordination to priesthood, and stationed at Kapiri CCAP in Mchinji district, the power of social media worked for him. Powered by the Holy Spirit, one of his sermons was captured and went viral. The content spread quickly across the social media platforms and was shared by thousand of users in a very short time.
A branding process was created. His name and image became unique in people’s minds mainly through regular posts about his sermons. 246 WhatsApp groups about him have been created. Thank God his identity is matching the philosophy of Christianity as closely as possible.
It is now a tradition that wherever Reverend Kambiri goes to address a scriptural, theological, or moral topic, many people capture his religious discourse or oration.
But what makes Reverend Kambiri a well built brand that is effectively communicating values of Christianity to people and make them loyal. “I worship God in spirit and truth and serve him with clear conscience,” he said.
Reverend Kambiri stated that all his sermons are Bible based and centered on values of Christianity.
As a brand in Christianity, Reverend Kambiri is on mission with salvation. He wants all people to ask for forgiveness for their sins, be willing to turn from their sins; and believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and Savior who died for their sins and rose again. “Though I am not yet where I want to be with this mission, I am glad that I am not where I started from.”
With Apostle Paul’s warning on 1 Timothy 5:8 “If anyone doesn’t take care of his relatives, especially his immediate family, he has denied the Christian faith and is worse than an unbeliever”, Reverend Kambiri is a business person, farmer, and transporter. He takes care of his family, relatives, and other people.
Reverend Kambiri is encouraging all people doing pastoral work to engage themselves in economic activities so that they have plenty and lack nothing.