Online Archives

Jeremiah 29:11: “‘For I know the plans I have for you,’ declared the Lord, ‘plans to prosper you and not to harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.,”

— the dedication plaque on the new Muradzikwa UMC

Two years ago, the dream of a new church building for Muradzikwa UMC was tied to prayer and sacrifice. Last month, these prayers were answered and the sacrifices of the congregation were honored as more than 500 people came to witness the dedication of the new building for Muradzikwa UMC, in Mutare, Zimbabwe.

Much of the construction costs for the new church were paid for by the HOPE Fund, an initiative of the Baltimore-Washington Conference. The goal of the HOPE fund is to raise $1 million to support the Global AIDS Fund, victims of Hurricane Katrina and the people of Zimbabwe.

“This new church would not have been built if it were not for the generosity of the Baltimore-Washington Conference and the HOPE Fund,” said Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa of the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area. “The dedication of the Muradzikwa UMC is a creative process of forming God’s community. People’s lives were symbolically dedicated. The joint leadership that Bishop Schol, our people and I provided demonstrates in action what it means to be a global church.”

The dedication of the new church was only part of the reason that a 10-person contingent from the Baltimore-Washington Conference took its biennial mission trip to Zimbabwe. The mission trip also included:

• A pastors school that involved 340 pastors in Zimbabwe, an increase of 75 pastors from four years ago;

• The first International Zimbabwe Summit – where 60 Christian
leaders met to discuss and plan for the future ministries in the troubled country;

• The distribution of more than 10,000 insecticide–treated bed nets which are designed to protect people from malaria, normally brought on from mosquito bites.

“The HOPE Fund allows the Baltimore-Washington Conference to touch lives all over the world, particularly in Zimbabwe, where we have a covenant partnership, Schol said. “This is what being a church is.”

As the church members and guests waited patiently for the ribbon cutting, the Muradzikwa choir marched in a procession and sang, while others danced and sang along. When the ribbon cutting ceremony began, Bishop Nhiwatiwa addressed the church members and well wishers from the community.

“I see God in all of your faces,” Nhiwatiwa said to the crowd. “It is beautiful to see. Today we are here to dedicate this church. Let the church say ‘hallelujah!’”

Sensing the crowd’s eagerness to see the inside of the newly built church, Nhiwatiwa let them know that it wouldn’t be long before they were to be allowed in.

“We will do the part of the dedication that we have to do outside,” he said, “and then we will march in like King David!”

After the dedication plaque was unveiled and the ribbon across the entrance was cut, Bishop Schol was handed the keys to unlock the door and the crowd sang as they rushed in to get a first glimpse of their new church.

“It’s humbling to witness the impact we have had on lives here,” said Schol. “To see them celebrate in their new church was both exciting and gratifying. It shows that through our connectional system and the HOPE Fund, we can make a difference.”

The Rev. Robert Slade, pastor of Mt. Zion UMC in Washington, D.C., and one of the members of the mission team to Zimbabwe, echoed Schol’s comments, adding that the church dedication is something that the members of the Baltimore-Washington Conference should be proud of.

“To see the magnitude of this project come to fruition is a great thing to see,” Slade said. “And to know that our conference played a role makes it even better. This is truly God’s hand at work.”

Bishop Nhiwatiwa said there are still many things to build upon and accomplish in Zimbabwe, but he is confident that as long as the Baltimore-Washington Conference remains a steady partner, the goals will be met.

“Baltimore Washington and the Zimbabwe Episcopal Areas are decidedly walking this journey of faith and ministry in the spirit of Chabadza together,” Nhiwatiwa said. “May God bless the Baltimore-Washington Conference for its commitment to the people of Zimbabwe.”