What if I told you the Presbeterian in Harare began with workers walking 600 kilometers? This Presbeterian church has a rich history. It reflects the journey of faith for many.
The Church of Central Africa Presbyterian CCAP Harare Synod is more than a building. It is a living testament to faith. It stands as a witness to God’s glory during hard times. The Harare Synod sprouted from the CCAP in Malawi. It became the fourth synod. Other synods include Nkhoma, Livingstonia and Blantyre. Zambia’s synod came later. The Harare Synod started over a century ago. It served Malawian immigrants in Zimbabwe. These immigrants worked on farms, mines, and industries.
In 1905 workers walked to Mvera in Malawi. They sought a missionary covering over 600 kilometers on foot. Mvera was the first mission station of the Dutch Reformed Church in Malawi.
Missionary organizations noticed the request. They could not recruit a missionary. The Presbyterian Church of South Africa stepped in. They ministered to the Malawians. Rev T C B Vlok a Dutch Reformed Church missionary volunteered in 1911. He had 23 years of experience in Malawi. He was touched by the migrants’ spiritual needs.
Rev Vlok arrived in Salisbury in 1912. He found 230 catechumens listed. He agreed with the Presbyterian Church to work with Chichewa speakers in Mashonaland. They would work in Matabeleland. Rev Vlok represented the Federated Missions in Malawi. He worked hard across a vast area. He was the only ordained minister for Chichewa-speaking migrants. By 1914 there were 33000 Malawians in Zimbabwe.
Evangelists from Malawi assisted Rev Vlok. Rev J Jackson replaced him in 1936. Rev M S Daneel took over in 1953. Missionaries from Nkhoma and Livingstonia missions in Malawi and local ministers from Zimbabwe joined.
The first congregation formed in Salisbury in 1945. Gwelo Bulawayo and others followed. These congregations belonged to the Presbytery of Nkhoma of the CCAP in Malawi. Nkhoma became the Nkhoma Synod in 1956. The congregations in Zimbabwe became the fourth presbytery. On May 1 1965 the Presbytery of Salisbury became the Synod of Salisbury. This is today’s CCAP Harare Synod. The church follows the Heidelberg Catechism, the Belgic Confession, and the Canons of Dort.
Today the CCAP Harare Synod has four presbyteries. These are Harare, Highfield, Bulawayo, and Gweru. The church has 35 congregations and more than 139 prayer houses. There are 26 ordained ministers. The church also has 56 evangelists.
The CCAP started primary and secondary schools at Rock Haven. They focus on empowering prayer houses. They train evangelists to become ministers. The church embraces different cultures and languages. They use Shona along with Chichewa.
The CCAP Harare Synod faces challenges like unemployment and poverty. It addresses issues like corruption and injustice. The church strives to meet spiritual, physical, and social needs. It helps the needy with justice and compassion. The CCAP Harare Synod continues to grow. It supports its community through faith and action. It shows resilience and commitment.