Pray for Zimbabwe: Growth is Tangible!

Zimbabwe in southern Africa has a difficult history of political unrest, extreme poverty and societal hardship, but the supernatural power of the Gospel can heal even the deepest wounds. And God’s church in Zimbabwe is flourishing! In Harare and Bulawayo, the country’s two biggest cities, believers are boldly evangelising in their communities, believers and leaders are being discipled, churches are being planted, and the Body of Christ is growing. Tangible growth is unfolding – and you’re invited to be part of it through prayer.

Accepting the Call

At the launch of Harvesters’ pastoral training programme, known as a Kick Off, students are challenged to plant at least one church before their next phase of training. When Harvesters returned to Harare and Bulawayo six months after their Kick Offs for Phase A training, we were excited to find that pastors had pursued this call relentlessly. The fruit of their obedience was tangible: new believers had come to faith and fresh church plants were being blessed with growth.

Pastor Zongoro, ministering in the rural region of Mondoro, has already planted two churches and helped lead 57 people to salvation – many of whom were formerly caught in addiction. Now, they are being discipled in Christ. But his mission is not finished. “I am [hopeful] that God himself will help us plant… more churches,” he declares. “I have a vision that the area can be [liberated] from worshipping idols to worshipping Jesus Christ.” Let’s pray into that vision together.

The Spirit Sparks Growth

Other pastors were also keen to share the stories of growth they had experienced since the Kick Off. Big or small, one could clearly see the Spirit at work. One lady from Seke, on the outskirts of Harare, shared that she has planted a small but growing church – proof that no act of obedience is too small when the Spirit is involved.

Pastor Emily Tigora is another powerful example. Through one-on-one evangelism in Chinhoyi, a small town northwest of Harare, 15 people were brought to Christ. They will soon start services in a nearby school. Along with Pastor Stephen Mashaga, she also planted a church in Harare that grew to over 80 members in just one month. “We are seeing God in it,” says Pastor Emily with joy.

Pastor Josephat has seen similar growth – from just 15 members to 80. He gives all glory to God, declaring: “We thank God for that church in Jesus’ mighty name!”

Churches Planted, Society Transformed

Not only are pastors seeing supernatural growth, but they also testify of societal transformation and new leaders raised thanks to the power of the Gospel.

Pastor Josephat is discipling two emerging leaders to shepherd two future churches, and Pastor Bigboy Haswell from Harare is doing the same – mentoring leaders for two churches he’s already planted. Pastor Zongoro knows that raising leaders is the key to advancing further, saying more pastors must be trained for him to “move on to plant some more churches.” These leaders can sow seeds of change in a society plagued by addiction and poverty.

In Masvingo, Pastor John planted a church in an unlikely setting: a former bar. Today, that beer hall has been repurposed as “a church hall to worship Jesus,” explains John, where entire families, even those struggling with addiction, are hearing the Gospel.