Letter From The CEO
Dear church leaders, partners, supporters and all our stakeholders locally and globally, I bring you greetings from the secretariat of the Theological Education by Extension in Zambia (TEEZ). It is with great pleasure that we share with you the operations of this great institution.
The year 2021 has come to the end with both successes and challenges. All these are emanating from the current COVID 19 pandemic which has affected most of the activities. Despite these challenges, we still maintained our tagline of innovation, transition and transformation to reach out to the grassroots churches and communities. With our tagline and our strategic plan theme of ‘reshaping the future of TEE through church and community service’, the institution continues to record visible impact of its work among churches and local communities.
One thing we are proud of as an institution is a strong resource mobilisation strategy. Our fundraising strategies are very strategic in the sense that TEEZ as an institution does not stop marketing itself even in the midst of plenty.
During the year, we recorded some new insights into how TEE work can remain relevant to the needs of the church and individuals. Notable among some innovations already making impacts in people’s lives is the BETTER church & society program brand which is receiving a lot of interest and support from the clergy and spouses. More details about the BETTER church and society are highlighted under activities in the field.
Our ecumenical involvement has also improved greatly as can be seen from a number of activities we have attended in at least 50% of the TEEZ member churches this year. This is giving TEEZ a visibility that it exists and still carrying on its vision of preparing all god’s people for works of service.
We believe in the dream of Joseph’s story about the 7 lean years and 7 years of plenty. But one thing we can be proud of is that our resource base has increased from a mere K958,300 in 2017 to K4.6 million in 2020; registering a 500% increase in funding.
Despite COVID 19 in 2021 TEEZ has managed to raise up to K3.3 million. This increase has been as a result of collective efforts, team work and also selflessness among TEEZ staff.
In the year under review, TEEZ has developed new partnerships namely the resonate global mission and african leadership transformation foundation. Both partnerships are bringing on board huge gifts in ministry and experience. We look forward to nurturing these relationships well in the next 3-5 years.
I am also excited about the dream of making TEEZ sustainable. What started as a dream in 2017 in my three year vision at the taking over of the leadership at TEEZ has now become a reality following the approval process by the executive committee. Teamwork, Team Building are very critical in any successful organization.
The approval process has brought the realization of the formation of the business conglomerate company of TEEZ to be called ‘theological enterprise & agribusiness corporation’ whose acronym is ‘TEAC’. I am grateful to god that my office has finalized the development of the business concept whose project is valued at US$1.35 million (equivalency of K22.353 million) to run from 2022 to 2026. This is an ambitious undertaking and we are confident of realising our dream.
A good number of our staff have had their contracts coming to an end by 31 December 2021. As part of our staff approach to quality assurance and control system, there has been a lot of transformation and change of mindset among them. This has been enhanced by our annual performance appraisal system. Using this system has helped our staff to make positive adjustments in relationship to improvements at places of work.
I am excited to mention that all our staff whose contracts were coming to an end have been renewed for period ranging from 2 to 4 years.
Our staff have proven that change is possible when there is a clear vision for an institution. They have bought into the institution’s vision and are individually put in their best to make things happen.
We want to assure you that there is a lot planned for the year 2022. Our training and development department is working around the clock to make sure our implementation strategy leaves a lifelong mark in the lives of those impacted by our ecumenical ministry.
We look forward to interacting, walking together and enjoying our fellowship through our various platforms of doing God’s mission in ecumenical ministry.
The Revd Canon Dennis Milanzi
Executive Director & Chief Executive, TEEZ