Christianity is the largest religion practiced inZimbabwe, accounted for more than 84% of the population.[1] The arrival of Christianity dates back to the 16th century by Portuguese missionaries such as Fr. Gonsalo Da Silveira of the Roman Catholic Church. Christianity is embraced by the majority of the population. It is estimated 85 percent of Zimbabweans claim to beChristians, with approximately 62 percent regularly attending church services.[2] Christian faith plays a very important role in the organization of Zimbabwean society.
Heads of the Christian Denominations in Zimbabwe is an association made up of some of the common church bodies;Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe, theZimbabwe Catholic Bishops' Conference, and theZimbabwe Council of Churches.[3] However, recent years saw a large increase in the number of new denominations: notably "Apostles" or "Mapostori". Most of these denominations derive their teachings from the bible and attach greater emphasis on prophecy, demonstration of power, and fasting in the wilderness. Some reputable apostolic churches include Johane Masowe, Johane Marange, Mugodhi, among others. Still, there are some "Apostles who disregard the Bible and believe in Messengers from God". There has been debate over the Western-formed churches including Anglican and Roman Catholic, over the truthfulness of the apostles' doctrine. While some apostles truly follow the Way of Christ, some violate bible principles through false prophecy. In addition, there has been a growing number of Christian Ministries, including Prophetic Healing and Deliverance and United Family International Church, who are also criticized for overemphasizing the prosperity gospel and giving- while increasing the wealth of the leaders.
Roman Catholic missionaries were the first to arrive inZimbabwe. The first attempt to introduce Christianity to theShona [tribe of Zimbabwe] was made by aPortuguese Jesuit missionary,Gonçalo da Silveira, at the court of the Monomotapa dynasty until he was murdered as a result of court intrigues in 1561.[4] Although at least a dozen Catholic churches were planted, they all disappeared by 1667, when Portugal's power was waning, leaving "no discernible trace of Christianity." This remained the situation until the movement of Protestant missions arrived in the nineteenth century.
In 1890 the 'Pioneer Column', Jesuit Catholic missionaries, and the Anglican Canon Belfour entered Lobengula's territory.[5]
In 1799 Johannes Van der Kemp helped launch a missionary society calledLondon Missionary Society (LMS). One of the LMS missionaries who helped launch Protestant missions intoZimbabwe wasRobert Moffat and his wife Mary. One of Moffat's greatest accomplishments for missions in Zimbabwe was his friendship withMzilikazi, king of theNdebele tribe. Moffat's son-in-lawDavid Livingstone had several expeditions inZimbabwe around 1859.[6] Another LMS missionary named Charles Daniel Helm founded the southernRhodesia Missionary Conference.[7] His sonsSam Helm andJohn Helm helped translate the New Testament of the Bible in the Karanga dialect of Shona, along with Andrew and Clini Louw of Dutch Reformed Mission Church. David Kingsley helped people understand the true meaning of churches.[8] By 1918, they had finished the New Testament in four dialects: Ndau, Manyika, Zezuru, and Karanga.[citation needed] The Louws and some Sotho-speaking evangelists built various ministries in the region under Shona Reformed Church, but eventually they transferred all property to an indigenous church denomination called Reformed Church in Zimbabwe.[9]
Media related toChristianity in Zimbabwe at Wikimedia Commons
