Opportunities for Malawians to demonstrate their leadership skills were 
severely limited during the colonial period. Even the Missions, like 
Livingstonia and Blantyre, that provided a high level of education often
 frustrated their graduates by requiring them to work under European 
supervision on an indefinite basis. This study shows how some early 
Malawian church leaders took advantage of an unexpected opportunity that
 arose during the First World War. European missionaries were not 
allowed to enter Tanzania, but African staff were permitted to cross the
 border to help the Tanzanian churches to regroup after the devastation 
caused by the war. For such remarkable figures as Yoram Mphande, George 
Nyasulu and Jones and Catherine Chikoga, this was a chance to show their
 mettle.