wfn.org | UMNS# 453-Foundation to continue bishop's ministry of evangelism

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Foundation to continue bishop's ministry of evangelism

Aug. 15, 2005

NOTE: Photographs, video and a related report, UMNS story #452, are
available at http://umns.umc.org.

By Kathy L. Gilbert*

MUTARE, Zimbabwe (UMNS) - On a sunny, windy winter day, hundreds
gathered on the grounds of the Old Mutare Mission to celebrate a new
chapter in the 60-year ministry of Bishop Abel T. Muzorewa: the launch
of an evangelism foundation bearing his name.

"Today at the age of 80 years, three months and nine days, we are
gathered at Old Mutare, my place of birth, baptism, my alma mater,
wedding place and the venue of my first encounter with the Holy Spirit,"
he said. "I feel old enough and qualified to welcome all of you here."

The July 23 celebration also was marked by the debut of his latest book,
Evangelism that Decolonizes the Soul: A Partnership with Christ.

The primary purpose of the foundation will be to further the evangelism
and stewardship ministry upheld by the bishop in his years of ministry.

Muzorewa, who has never shied away from politics, said some of his
fellow Zimbabweans were confused about the foundation's purpose.

"This is not a political party. Its nature, purpose and functions are
well and clearly spelled out: to win people to Christ."

He did say Christians have an obligation to speak for the liberty and
freedom of God's people.

"Preachers must assert that politics has no place in Christian church,
but Christianity has a definite place in politics."

His sermons on the liberation of his country led to his exile from
Zimbabwe for 14 months in 1977-78. Because of his participation in the
struggle for majority rule, he was elected the first black prime
minister of Zimbabwe-Rhodesia in 1979. He served nine months.

A biography written for the celebration shows his heart was in ministry
at an early age. His parents and relatives described how he "played
church" by imitating missionary preachers when he was very young.

Muzorewa became a licensed preacher when he was 19 and was ordained an
elder by Bishop Ralph E. Dodge, the church's last missionary bishop in
Africa, in 1957. He received a scholarship in 1958 from the United
Methodist Church to study at the Missouri School of Religion, Central
Methodist University in Fayette, Mo., and then at Scarritt College for
Christian Workers in Nashville, Tenn.

He returned to Zimbabwe, then still Rhodesia, in 1963 and served in many
churches. He was elected bishop in 1968, becoming the church's first
indigenous bishop of Zimbabwe. In that role, he challenged and led his
annual conference to donate the land where United Methodist-related
Africa University is today.

He retired in 1992, after serving 14 years as a pastor and 24 years as
episcopal leader. He continues to preach, conduct funerals and officiate
at weddings.

The foundation's goals are to:
-Present a Bishop Abel T. Muzorewa Award for evangelism to an
outstanding evangelism student at Africa University.
-Give scholarships to United Methodist evangelism students wanting to
further their studies.
-Support evangelism training workshops for laity and clergy in the
United Methodist Church's African central conferences.

-Finance the evangelism ministry programs within African communities.
-Provide assistance to needy communities.

All the proceeds from the sale of Evangelism that Decolonizes the Soul:
A Partnership with Christ will go to the foundation. More information on
ordering the book or donating to the foundation is at www.batmef.org.

*Gilbert is a United Methodist News Service news writer based in
Nashville, Tenn.

News media contact: Kathy L. Gilbert, Nashville, Tenn., (615) 742-5470
or newsdesk@umcom.org.

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United Methodist News Service
Photos and stories also available at:
http://umns.umc.org