Answers to Prayer

1 The great freedom since independence to preach the gospel in public, on the media, in schools and prisons despite the worsening political climate

2 Target 2000, the multi-denominational vision for saturation church planting, set the goal of doubling the number of churches from 10,000 in 1992 to 20,000 in 2000 — the goal was reached!

3 Strong church growth in the 1980s accelerated in the '90s with the number of Evangelicals rising from 1.3 million to 3 million

Challenges for Prayer

1 Zimbabwe needs a government that will serve the nation rather than those who govern

2 The AIDS calamity in Zimbabwe is one of the world's worst cases

a) A radical change in hearts and attitudes to sex and to AIDS itself

b) Effective government, NGO and church action to stop the spread of the infection

c) Specific programmes run by Christian agencies to address the issue

3 The land issue needs resolution

4 The Church has grown, but so have the challenges

a) A multiplication of mature leaders

b) The Bible schools and seminaries

c) Spiritual unity

d) A prophetic voice for the Church

e) A clear stand against witchcraft and demonic powers or veneration of ancestors in the guise of nationalism

Geography

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Area 390,759 sq.km. Landlocked state in south-central Africa.

Population (2000) 11,669,029 +1.43%AGR

Capital Harare 2,300,000.

Peoples

Indigenous 90.9%.

Non-indigenous 9.1%.

Literacy 85%. Official language English. Trade languages Shona is widely spoken, Ndebele in the west. All languages 19. Languages with Scriptures 11Bi 2NT 3por 4w.i.p.

Economy

Rich in agricultural land and minerals. HDI 0.560; 130^th/174. Public debt 38% of GNP. Income/person $720 (2% of USA).

Politics

The Rhodesian declaration of independence from Britain by the white minority in 1965 led to intense guerrilla warfare and eventually independence as Zimbabwe in 1980.

Religion

There is freedom of religion despite post-independence attempts to impose Marxism-Leninism.

Churches in Zimbabwe

Missionaries from Zimbabwe

250 of which about 50 are in 16 foreign countries.

Missionaries to Zimbabwe

500 in 80 agencies from 26 countries

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