Lusaka — Former President Kenneth Kaunda has come out in full support of the declaration of Zambia as a Christian nation.

Dr Kaunda, commenting on the issue in an interview with Radio Christian Voice said there was nothing wrong with the declaration.

'It's all right. The declaration is okay, after all, you have nations of the world that are Islamic states, so why not a Christian nation,' observed Dr Kaunda.

In a weekend Radio Christian Voice broadcast, a cheerful and now mellowed KK however admonished Zambians to live up to Biblical standards.

He said the standards of the Holy scriptures were clearly the love of God with one's whole being followed by the love of a neighbour as one's self.

In what appears to be the existence of 'good blood' between him and the ruling MMD Government Dr Kaunda said he was grateful to what 'my Government' was doing especially the support so far given to his new- found AIDS project.

He was particularly touched when Health Minister Enoch Kavindele paid him a visit to affirm Government's support for his project.

On his slain son, Major Wezi Kaunda, Dr Kaunda said the family would leave vengeance in God's hands.

Meanwhile, a new church, a breakaway from the Reformed Church in Zambia (RCZ) will be launched today in Lusaka.

The church to be known as Bible Gospel Church in Africa has been formed by nine reverends ex-communicated from RCZ following long- standing differences over the mode of worship in the church.

Synod moderator Reverend Japhet Ndhlovu who is among those ex- communicated confirmed the development in Lusaka yesterday.

The reverends have been expelled for encouraging what some RCZ members have branded as 'Pentecostalism.'

The RCZ extra-ordinary Synod meeting held in Chipata took the decision to expel the named pastors.

The Synod has since banned praise and worship, overnight prayers, mass prayers and praise teams that use musical instruments. This has led to serious divisions in the church.

Rev Ndhlovu said three reverends had tendered their resignations, bringing the total number of reverends leaving to 12.

The Bible Gospel Church in Africa (BIGOCA) will be launched at the Chinese Restaurant in Lusaka at 14:00 hours today.

'We are not a splinter group because we have been chucked out. We are going out as happy men because everything that we do is Biblical. Who are we not to pray overnight when the son of man (Jesus) prayed overnight. The church cannot remain behind 2,000 years. Time has come when people have known the truth led by the Holy Spirit,' Rev Ndhlovu said in an interview.

He said the BIGOCA mission statement was to uncompromisingly preach the gospel of salvation, deliverance and healing, establish churches in every country of Africa and beyond.

The reverend said after many years of struggle over the mode of worship there was no need to look back.

'We shall hand over everything that belongs to the RCZ,' he said.

The pastors were summoned by the synod council to exculpate themselves over the issue 'Pentecostalism'. Others travelled while some did not because news had already leaked that they would be ex- communicated.

'One pastor denied in front of the synod council and accused his wife of being responsible for the charismatic mode of worship in his congregation.

'Another agreed he was a 'pentecostal' and challenged the synod to explain what was wrong with the kind of worship. He was expelled instantly,' said a source who attended the meeting in Chipata.

Christians in Garden and Chawama have in the past fought running battles over differences in worshipping.