Kuchali, Thomas Funyani

Thomas Funyani Kuchali is an international Global Mission Fellow with the United Methodist General Board of Global Ministries, engaged in a two-year term of service.  

The Global Mission Fellows program takes young adults ages 20-30 out of their home environments and places them in new contexts for mission experience and service. The program has a strong emphasis on faith and justice. Global Mission Fellows become active parts of their new local communities. They connect the church in mission across cultural and geographical boundaries. They grow in personal and social holiness and become strong young leaders working to build just communities in a peaceful world. 

Thomas is a member of Galilea United Methodist Church in the Malawi Provisional Annual Conference. He is the vice president of the young adults in the conference and a president in his local church.  

He earned an associate degree in natural resources at the Lilongwe University of Agriculture and Natural Resources. In college, he participated in environmental justice activities. 

To Thomas, the most appealing aspects of Global Mission Fellows is the opportunity to work with people “who are coming from different communities with different beliefs, values and understandings,” he said.  

“I think the program will help me much as a Christian young adult from an African country to promote love to people who are seeking justice and liberty,” Thomas added. “Our United Methodist Church believes that God’s love for the world is an active and engaged love.” He wants to gain experience in working with communities, bringing social justice to the world and sharing his professional knowledge in agriculture and natural resources. 

“As a land administrator and smallholder farmer,” Thomas said, “I believe that this program will help me to gain more experience in these fields.”  

He is curious to discover and appreciate cultural differences among Global Mission Fellows and the communities with whom they work.  

“Global Mission Fellows,” Thomas said, “will also help me to learn how an individual can develop an international community. I hope that wherever I will go, I will bring change and have positive outcomes.” 

When his term ends, Thomas plans to return home to Malawi, tell others how young adults can promote social justice within their communities, and encourage his congregation and conference to get involved.