Zimbabwe Central Fund Update                                                                                           7/29/21

A very significant milestone occurred in June 2021 in the work of the Presbytery of Zimbabwe’s Central Fund.  The Central Fund completed one full year in providing stipends to 23 pastors, 34 evangelists, and the Presbytery secretary.  This has been the goal of the Central Fund since its inception and it was accomplished in the middle of a pandemic. Surely God has a hand in this work!

This milestone did not come easily, and the work is not finished.  It was built upon the partnership between the Presbyteries of Zimbabwe and Denver and on the very generous investments of the Calvary Congregation and other donors.  The established horticultural and cattle projects provided cash flow for this past year, while new investments in Road Runner chickens and fish farming were made to continue the progress toward full sustainability.  These new investments were directly possible because of Calvary’s support.  To date, two fishponds have been constructed, one stocked with 10,000 Tilapia fingerlings.  The second pond stocking has been delayed by a recent COVID outbreak among workers but should occur by next month.  Fifty Road Runner chickens are on the Vimridge property with plans for the flock to grow organically.  Water to support all the Vimridge farm operations is provided by water from boreholes drilled with the help of Calvary.

The Presbytery of Zimbabwe is a member of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa.  It consists of presbyteries in Zimbabwe, Zambia, and South Africa.  Historically, the denomination has provided grants to the Presbytery in Zimbabwe which were used to subsidize the pastor’s stipends.  Over this past 16 months, the pandemic has had such a severe impact on the churches in South Africa, that the denomination cancelled all grants.  Even with this major setback, the Presbytery of Zimbabwe was able to meet the stipend needs of pastors and evangelists using the resources of the Central Fund.  In fact, their denomination is now looking at the Central Fund model established in Zimbabwe as a denominational model.

Paul Neshangwe, a principal in the Central Fund, sends his love and heart felt appreciation to the Calvary congregation for their faithful support of this work.  The pandemic remains a significant barrier to progress, as new shutdowns limit availability of supplies and markets, while infections affect workers and their families.  Your prayers for the health and safety of the workers, for Paul and his colleagues, and God’s continued presence in this work is most appreciated.

With much gratitude in mutual trust through Christ,

Robert M. Habiger

Co-Moderator, PZDP and Central Task Force Chair