“Out of the stable, we would witness the exponential growth of the church” Dorothy Marikura Nyamhanza once said. Today we stand before the Methodist church in Harare. Its story is one of remarkable growth and resilience. This church’s journey began in a humble stable. It transformed into a vibrant center of faith.
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe has deep roots. British Methodist mission activity started it in 1891. The United Methodist Church in Zimbabwe has American origins. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe gained autonomy in 1977. This was from the Methodist Church in Britain.
The church faced immense challenges during Zimbabwe’s liberation struggle. Church membership declined by almost 50 percent in the 1970s. But the Methodist church showed incredible strength. Since independence in 1980 it has worked hard to rebuild its community. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe’s growth is a testament to its spirit. It trains leaders to nurture new members. It addresses critical issues like HIV/AIDS and orphans.
Missionaries have been active in Zimbabwe since the 1890s. They were especially present in the eastern part of the country. Several Methodist clergy were politically prominent early in Zimbabwe’s independence. The Methodist church sponsors Africa University. It is one of Zimbabwe’s leading private universities.
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe has over 110000 members. These members are in over 1000 congregations. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe is part of many councils. These include the Zimbabwe Council of Churches. They also include the World Methodist Council. Furthermore they include the All Africa Council of Churches. It also joined the World Council of Churches in 1985. The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe diaspora has fellowships in Great Britain. These are in Edinburgh Leicester London and Slough.
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe values education and community support. It runs eleven primary and nine secondary schools. Four multipurpose community centers support women youth and other groups. These centers operate ecumenically welcoming all. Currently a missionary from the UK is working with the church.
One poignant story highlights the church’s early days. Back in 1964 services took place in a stable in Kambuzuma a suburb of Harare. Six-year-old Dorothy Marikura and others attended Sunday school outside. Meanwhile their parents worshipped inside the dimly lit stable. Dorothy recalled acting out Bible stories amidst the sounds of horses. These humble beginnings led to the St Philip Kambuzuma United Methodist Church. It is now the fourth-oldest church in Harare.
From its start in a stable the Kambuzuma church has grown. It has expanded into thirteen new churches. These churches have a total membership of 7885. This growth reflects the church’s commitment to spreading its message.
The Methodist Church in Zimbabwe’s journey reflects resilience growth and deep community commitment. It continues to address modern challenges while honoring its historical roots. As we stand here we recognize the Methodist church as a beacon of hope and faith. It enriches countless lives in Zimbabwe.