Zambia

The United Church in Zambia

The United Church in Zambia (UCZ) is the country’s largest Protestant denomination, with a presence in all ten provinces.

Its bold vision is for “the total salvation of humanity with spiritual restoration and physical well-being, fully reconciled in Christ, the only Saviour”. Its mission? “To spread the Good News of salvation to the Zambian people and all nations in fulfilment of Christ’s mission to the World”— its faithful response to Christ’s call.

UCZ is more than a worshipping community: it’s a missionary and prophetic voice in the nation. It supports hospitals in rural areas, trains future leaders at the United Theological College and runs the academically and theologically renowned United Church of Zambia University, founded in 1965 and situated in Kitwe.

United in name and spirit, UCZ is part of the World Communion of Reformed Churches and the World Methodist Council.

The United Church of Zambia (UCZ) is a powerful story of unity born from mission and collaboration. Its roots stretch back to the faithful work of the London Missionary Society, the Church of Scotland Mission, the Union Church of the Copperbelt, and the Copperbelt Free Churches.

In the 1920s, as mining towns sprang up in the Copperbelt, Christians from diverse backgrounds came together in worship—both in African and European communities.

Their shared commitment to education, welfare, and mission laid the groundwork for unity.

By 1958, several mission bodies signed an act of union, and on 16 January 1965, the UCZ was officially born, bringing together churches from across Zambia, including the Church of Barotseland and the Methodist Church.