News Release

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in Zimbabwe continues to expand

Hastening the work of salvation!

The LDS Church has had an official presence in present-day Zimbabwe since 1950 although missionaries and church leaders sporadically visited as early as 1930. 

And today, the church continues to expand, witnessing new baptisms and the creation of new units in every area of the country in which the church is established. 

Recently, the Harare Zimbabwe Marimba Park Stake witnessed the creation of a new branch, a smaller unit in the church. This is the eighth unit for the Marimba Park Stake.

The creation of this branch brought relief to members who were walking long distances to come to the nearest chapel. For now the branch will be attending at the Kuwadzana chapel, but soon they will have a place nearer the areas where they live.

People residing in Granary, White Cliff, Riddle Ridge, Norton and Sami Levy will be attending the Kuwadzana 3rd Branch, which boosts a membership of about 65 members. The Stake President, Stanley Makaza expressed gratitude for the work that members in Kuwadzana are doing, but said, "more should be done so that the growth continues." He urged the brethren to do their home teaching and the sisters to continue their visiting teaching or visiting each member on a monthly basis.

President Ephraim Tendaupenyu Gonzo is the President of the Kuwadzana 3rd Branch. He joined the church in January, 2012. He was the first member of his family.  Later, in April, his brother joined the church and he is the one who baptized him. President Gonzo is married to Esther Gonzo and they were sealed in Johannesburg temple in October 2013. He has served in the Kuwadzana 1st Ward as the ward executive secretary and ward clerk. Practicing the churches teaching of self-reliance, he owns a preschool and a small shop while attending school where he studies  ACCA.

‘’We will work hard so that by next conference we will be a ward since we have a very big catchment area’’ said President Gonzo with a big smile. I know that the priesthood is greater than our callings and that miracles are everywhere as long as the priesthood is well understood and faith is exerted. I know these things to be true in the name of Jesus Christ amen."

Brother Pedzisai Dimingu is the 1st counsellor of the Kuwadzana 3rd branch. He is married to Yvonne and they have three boys. He joined the church in 1998 and is the pioneer in his family. He served his mission in the Harare Zimbabwe Mission from 2000-2002 . While on mission, his family joined the church and they were sealed in Johannesburg temple a month after he returned home.

Brother Dimingu was sealed to his wife and three sons in 2015.  He has served as a ward clerk, 1st counsellor for Mufakose Ward, young men president in Harare, Zimbabwe Stake, high priest group leader and sunday school president.  Brother Dimingu ‘s love for music led him to join the church when he was invited to join the church choir led by sister Juliet Makaza.  Brother Dimingu is a farmer.  He studied PC Engineering and networking systems and has worked for a number of companies.

Brother Dimingu stated, "I know that the Lord uses the simple and the weak to proceed with his work. I know that if we are united we will blessed. And our families will be strengthened. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen."

The Church has maintained a consistent presence in Zimbabwe longer than almost any other country in Sub-Saharan Africa. 

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