The association with a goal too large to measure: S.C.I.F.A

 

‘I heard of this place that’s called S.C.I.F.A and I wasn’t crazy about it’, says Prayer Simunyola, current S.C.F.A Chairperson. ‘This one day, I didn’t have a room on campus at that time, so I was looking for a place to chill at lunch, I go into this S.C.I.F.A meeting and I literally just sleep. I was overwhelmed by all this school stuff and I go there, someone’s ministering, and I’m just there like, I just need a place to sleep. I look back and see S.C.I.F.A as this place where just like I slept in the first meeting when I was overwhelmed, it’s been this place of peace, growth, discovery, purpose and  friendship.’

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stablished over 22 years ago by ZCAS students, The Student Christian Interdenominational Fellowship Association – S.C.I.F.A today maintains its long term goal of spreading the gospel of Jesus to the ZCAS populous and beyond through activities that expose the radical love of God, which in turn transforms lives.

           While the association believes in embracing people for who they are, it is determined to cultivate people and be the bridge that takes them to their better selves. ‘God loves you the way you are but too much to let you stay there’, says Prayer, the association through its fellowship meetings and departmental meetings such as S.C.I.F.A Arts, Bible Study, Ushering and Intercession all operate under the same objectives, which is to break walls down, challenge views and change hearts by planting a seed for people to have an intimate relationship with God far beyond the association itself.

As stated earlier, S.C.I.F.A’s long term goal is to spread the gospel of Jesus to the ZCAS populous and beyond through activities that expose the radical love of God. However, unlike other clubs or associations where the realisation of their long term goal is entirely dependent on quantifiable milestones, like a football club’s success measured from game wins and other analytics, ‘it’s difficult to measure such a goal’ says Agatha Bwalya Mulenga, vice chairperson of S.C.I.F.A. While people’s lives do in fact change, ‘the impact cannot always be seen or observed’. Nevertheless, the association maintains its goal and even reaches communities far beyond the ZCAS walls through activities such as ‘Help the Needy’, a charity venture facilitated every semester.

Above all else, S.C.I.F.A leaves its door open to everyone. You are welcome to a place that strives for growth, discovery and purpose. It is a place that will not only redefine you spiritually but academically, intellectually and emotionally too. ‘There’s so much to draw from S.C.I.F.A’, says the association chairperson ‘a place to fellowship as students and grow in your love of God is important’ and it wants you to be a part of it.

Written By: Hadassah Phiri