What started as a bold step to abandon formal employment and venture into evangelism has now become a story worth telling for retired Anglican Church priest Patrick Mapundula who on Saturday launched his autobiography.

Titled God’s Call to Ministry: A Mystery and Irrevocable, the 48-page book is a milestone of a memoir of Mapundula’s path through church work as it narrates his journey from leaving Nico Holdings plc to become a full-time servant of God.

Mapundula: I had a very strong interest
in missions and evangelism

In the 10-chapter story of his life, the 67-year-old author documents selected crucial events that propelled decisions and marked his way from school to his call to ministry, to his work experience. Seven chapters of the book talk about the encounters that he experienced at the parishes he served.

In chapter three, Mapundula shows a copy of his 1986 resignation letter from Nico which was addressed to the then managing director, Stain Singo, revealing what he calls his burning desire to join priesthood.

He recalls in the same chapter: “Reverend Fr. John Likoleche, who apparently was a fellow Anglican, said he was in agreement that I be accepted since he had recognised that I had a very strong interest in missions and evangelism. Of course, my immediate boss had it in him that I was destined to priesthood.”

One of the mysteries in Mapundula’s autobiography is captured in chapter five where he reveals a jaw-dropping superstitious plot aimed at ending his life and that of his wife during his second posting at All Saints Church in Thyolo, soon after his ordination in 1990.

He recalls: “He then sought means of dealing with me; in his mind, I had led the council members to object his going for priesthood training. He then went to Mulanje where he visited the traditional medicine man. He asked the sing’anga to kill me through his charms.”

On his part, Singo, who was the guest of honour at the book launch in Blantyre, encouraged retirees to use their time by writing books that would make their lives more useful.

The book’s editor Alfred Msadala hailed Mapundula for being open about his personal experiences. During the auction, business mogul and philanthropist Thomson Mpinganjira bought the book at K1.1 million. Erasto Mapundula, the author’s son, also bought his copy at K1 million.

The post Retired priest Mapundula narrates ministry mysteries in autobio first appeared on The Nation Online.