5 Vision for the 21st Century

6 Young people brought up on the idealistic visions of independence have been disillusioned by empty political slogans, the greed of the powerful and the dearth of jobs

a) FOCUS (IFES), which is responsible for Christian Unions among the 40,000 students in universities and colleges;

b) Scripture Union, which has had a decisive impact on the educated by their work in the secondary schools

c) The highly effective Aid for AIDS programme of Scripture Union which was pioneered in Zimbabwe, and has spread to many African countries

7 The less-evangelized

a) The rural areas

b) The burgeoning cities, swollen with hundreds of thousands of rural migrants looking for non-existent jobs

c) Less-reached peoples

d) Farming areas

e)Muslims

8 The expatriate mission force has steadily been reduced in numbers because of government unwillingness to give visas for 'preachers of the gospel'

9 Christian literature has become a major ministry in Zimbabwe and beyond — especially Mozambique

a) Scripture distribution

b) Gospel Literature Lifeline which has developed a successful tract and follow-up literature ministry with correspondence courses

c) The Christian bookstores in most major centres

d) CAVA (Christian Audio Visual Action) which is, at present, the only major publisher of literature in Shona

10 Christian electronic media:

a) Radio and TV programmes are broadcast on the national networks

b) The JESUS film has been extensively used in 10 languages for church planting

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

click for legend

Geography

click to enlarge

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).

Internet Links