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Basil Medgett: Biographical Sketch

Basil Medgett was the second pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church from 1961 to 1967. He was instrumental in establishment of Baptist Churches in Luanshya, Ndola and Lusaka and also for the establishment of Fiwale Hill Bible College.

Basil A. Medgett was born on 1 January 1924 in Whitstable, Kent, England. He attended Faversham Grammar School. He was born in a Christian home where the example of Christian parents meant a lot to him. His father, Cyril, was a lay preacher of the Church of England. Basil learnt of the of the gospel from his parents. He became a Christian at the age of fifteen during a series of special services held in his home town. His parents hoped he would become a Minister of the Church of England, however the Lord had other plans. Basil was posted to then Southern Rhodesia while serving in the Royal Air Force in World War Two and joined the Bulawayo Baptist Church. He did this after coming to see the Scriptural pattern for the Church.

For some time Basil was convinced that the Lord wanted him to serve in business life, however with time the Lord led him to the ministry. He later was a member of Ndola Baptist Church (where he was the second pastor) in the early 1960’s. He also started Luanshya Baptist Church in 1957 and the church was finally constituted in 1958. Medgett also served as Principal of Fiwale Hill Bible College which he established in Ndola rural in 1961. He started a course of Bible instruction for men whilst there. He laid a good foundation on which the work has continued and increased.

Basil became pastor of Lusaka Baptist Church in 1964. At the time he was being called, the church was struggling financially with the income being less than the budget, yet Basil still accepted the call! Such was his commitment to the cause of Christ and the gospel! Basil left Zambia for Canada in 1967. He served as pastor of Argyle Road Baptist Church in Regina from 1967 to 1974 and the Olivet Baptist Church in New Westminster, B.C. until 1977. Apart from that he was also a part-time lecturer at the Baptist College in Vancouver. His special interests were history, reading and world affairs. He married Katie Kroeker on 22nd May 1954 at a mission station in Southern Rhodesia. Katie lives in Canada. Their children are Kathleen and Dayle. Dayle is senior pastor of Westview Baptist Church in Canada. Dayle is married to Dawn who is in charge of the children’s ministry.


Basil died after a short illness in 1983 in Canada. Funeral services were held in the First Baptist Church, Lorne Street and Victoria Avenue.
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Mwindula Mbewe said…
I'm enjoying these sketches thoroughly because, 1) I love history & 2) Their so close to home. Please keep them coming!
July 31, 2009 at 6:47 AM
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