Clyde Kilough reported to the Council of Elders Dec. 8, 2006, that a group of Church members and their leaders in Zambia are interested in becoming part of United. They had been pressured by their church to change from Sabbath to Sunday observance and to discontinue observing the annual Holy Days.

"They resolved to do some homework before they affiliated themselves with another group," said Kambani Banda, the UCG elder in Zambia. "They checked out several Sabbath-keeping Churches of God and came to the conclusion that UCG was the place they wanted to be." The group claims attendance in excess of 200.

Victor Kubik visited with a portion of this group during the 2006 Feast (see November 2006 issue, page 16). Mr. Kubik said they are a remarkable group that has maintained their beliefs and practice of God's truth.

André van Belkum, chairman of UCG–Southern Africa, and Mr. Banda had a more extensive visit to most of their congregations and with their leadership in late November and were greatly encouraged by their decision to join United.