We are deeply saddened to announce the passing of Chris Chester, a beloved member of the Mission Direct and Rewired family, who peacefully left us on Friday, 11th July 2025 after a period of ill health.
Chris’s journey with Mission Direct began in 2011, when he first visited Zambia on a building trip. It was there that he encountered the Rewired computer projects—an experience that would shape the next decade of his life. Just six weeks later, Chris returned to Lusaka to support a Rewired initiative, and from that moment on, he became a cornerstone of the program.
Over the following ten years, Chris led numerous trips to Zambia and Zimbabwe, working closely with the Evangelical Fellowship of Zambia to identify schools most in need of technological support. With quiet professionalism and a servant heart, he spearheaded the installation of 377 computers in community schools—bringing digital access and computing education to thousands of children.
Chris’s work was supported by a small, passionate team and the generous contributions of his family, friends, colleagues, and church community in the UK. His efforts opened doors for students to learn vital computing skills, empowering them with tools for a brighter future.
But Chris’s legacy goes far beyond the numbers. He brought humility, warmth, and deep purpose to every project. His impact lives on in every child who now has access to a computer, in every school that has been transformed, and in every life he touched.
The Chester family also holds cherished memories of their own visits to Zambia and Zimbabwe, sharing in Chris’s mission and witnessing the joy and hope his work inspired.
Funeral Details
Chris’s funeral will be held on:
Date: Monday, 28th July 2025
Time: 1:30 PM
Location: St Mary Magdalene Church, Prudhoe, Northumberland
Remote Access: A video link will be shared for those wishing to join the service online.
We give thanks for Chris’s life, his service, and the enduring difference he made. His legacy continues to inspire us all.
