Cleric Lazarus Chakwera has been re-elected president for the Malawi Assemblies of God national board of Administration, after 23 years in the same position.

"I have been on this board since June 3rd, 1989, after the death of Reverend Maxwell Chapola who was the second national leader for the church then," said Chakwera.

He said he does not take it for granted to continue in the office of the churches' president.

"I am always humbled to serve the church in this office. I know it is a trust from God. It is always a challenge to work with others but I know this office is my gift from God," Chakwera added.

He said serving on the board "offers both new challenges and excitement" to him.

"As a church we have seen much progress in our church planting initiatives for the past years. However we are still pressing forward to achieve our vision 2020; working on expanding churches, our education training systems and continuity in growing the church," he said.

The elections were held during the church's bi-annual General Council in Lilongwe where 12 national and regional representatives for the church were elected.

Other officials elected were: Rev. Nelson Banda, deputy president, Rev. Benito Chisamba, general secretary, Rev. Adrian Phiri, deputy general secretary. Rev. Matthias Simenti, treasurer general. Rev. Reuben M'dala deputy treasurer general and Rev. Elton Kananji, director of Division of Evangelism and Missions.

Chakwera is the only one who has maintained his position on this board as the rest are either new appointees or those that have assumed new positions.

The church, which is the largest pentecostal congregation in Malawi, was established in 1947.