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Although Christianity Is Prevalent in Zimbabwe, Pastors and Believers Are Not Without Challenges

The Tide Global Radio Ministry Has Been Sharing the Gospel in Zimbabwe Since 1983 and Is Working to Build a New Studio There

CHAMBERSBURG, Pa.—In Zimbabwe, about 90 percent of citizens identify as Christian, but a well-known pastor is getting some pushback from the nation’s dictatorial regime.

Last month, an article in The Zimbabwean highlighted the suffering and false imprisonment of Pastor Evan Mawarire, while further coverage by CNN found that the pastor’s freedom of speech was being attacked after he called Zimbabweans to action regarding fuel shortages and sudden price hikes.

Zimbabwe is one of seven nations where The Tide® (www.thetide.org) global radio ministry broadcasts Gospel programming and works with many local pastors to reach listeners.

The Tide Director Don Shenk was born to missionary parents in Zimbabwe, then Rhodesia, and taught at Ekuphileni Bible Institute, a Bible school in the African nation, where he also served as Academic Dean and Director of Student Ministries. Through 28 years living in Zimbabwe, Shenk developed and implemented training programs to enable rural pastors to minister to their people.

“While Christianity is prevalent in Zimbabwe, a large number still participate in traditional African religious practices, including ancestral spirit worship and witchcraft, so the faithful there are not without their challenges,” Shenk said. “Even though Zimbabwe has been fairly extensively evangelized, there are still many who need to hear the Gospel message and others who are hungry to learn more about Jesus. We continue to pray for Christians in Zimbabwe, that they would have a strong biblical voice and the courage to share their faith in Christ.”

Since 1983, The Tide ministry has been working with a church group in Zimbabwe to produce and air the Ndebele language radio program called “Amagugu Evangeli.” The ministry has also assisted in the production of Christian radio programs in the English and Shona languages. And in 2016, The Tide ministry began building a new, larger and upgraded recording studio so this local radio ministry can continue to grow and impact more lives for Christ.

Commented Ndebele, a radio listener in Zimbabwe, “I would like to thank you for the Word of God you are preaching in our lives. I am now born again because of your radio messages I heard. I hope we will be blessed. May the Mighty God richly bless you.”

Read more about The Tide ministry’s presence in Zimbabwe here.

Later this year, The Tide ministry will offer programming in its 25th heart language—Isaan, spoken by 19 million people in Thailand. That initiative will allow Thailand to join multiple regions of Albania, Bhutan, India, Kosovo, Nepal, Nigeria and Zimbabwe, where The Tide ministry is already active in broadcasting gospel radio programming—in the languages people were born to speak.

For more information about The Tide broadcast projects, history, radio programs around the world, the new “Every Knee, Every Tongue” campaign, the “Have You Heard?” initiative, the weekly Global Update radio features or other news, visit its web site at www.thetide.org or its Facebook page. Read more about The Tide ministry and Don Shenk here.

 

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