Zimbabwe
Presbyterian World Mission partners with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian, Harare Synod. While the two denominations are relatively small with fewer than 10,000 members each, both have strong commitments to education and to the development of safe, clean water sources.
Reconciliation Efforts
About our work
The PC(USA) has currently has no mission co-workers based in Zimbabwe, but mission co-worker Doug Tilton works with partners in Zimbabwe.
Doug Tilton serves as Regional Liaison for Southern Africa from his base in South Africa. He helps to maintain and build the PC(USA)’s relationship with the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa Presbytery of Zimbabwe and the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Harare Synod, to resource mission networks and partnerships, and to assist with administrative tasks.
For more on Doug’s ministry, please visit his profile page.
Presbyterian World Mission works in partnership with the Presbytery of Zimbabwe of the Uniting Presbyterian Church of Southern Africa and also with the Harare Synod of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian. Both are national structures of transnational denominations.
The Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa has its headquarters in Johannesburg, South Africa, but it has congregations in South Africa, Zimbabwe and Zambia. There are more than 30 parishes in the organization, many of which also have “outstations” – satellite congregations served by the parish pastor and elders. The church operates 10 primary and secondary schools around Zimbabwe, as well as two clinics.
The Harare Synod is one of five Synods of the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian in Malawi, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. While the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian originated in Malawi, it has had a continuing presence in Zimbabwe for more than 100 years. The Harare Synod has 25 congregations and scores of prayer houses around Zimbabwe, organized into four presbyteries. The church operates schools at Nyabira, Rock Haven, and Chitungwiza, while Rock Haven Lay Training Center, outside Harare, is extremely popular with Christian and secular groups who use the venue for meetings, workshops, and a range of other activities.
- Consider developing a partnership with a congregation of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa Presbytery of Zimbabwe or the Church of Central Africa Presbyterian Harare Synod that reflects the interests of your congregation. Experience transformation as you learn from each other and pray for each other. Contact Ellen Sherby at ellen.sherby@pcusa.org for more information about mission partnerships or Doug Tilton at doug.tilton@pcusa.org for more information about Zimbabwe.
Join the Zambia-Zimbabwe-Mozambique-USA (ZZMUSA) Mission Network, one of more than 40 networks that connect Presbyterians who share a common mission interest. Most participants are involved in mission partnerships through congregations, presbyteries, or synods. Network members come together to coordinate efforts, share best practices, and develop strategies. Contact ZZM Mission Network Convener the Rev. Tom Sheffield at sheffieldtom@comcast.net for the dates and location of the next conference.
Doug Tilton, Regional Liaison, doug.tilton@pcusa.org