Support UM News on World Press Freedom Day: Give to help sustain and expand the storytelling capacity of UM News. Your donation today will transform information into inspiration and ensure we can continue sharing stories of God’s work in the world through The UMC. Help us reach our $10,000 goal and keep this vital ministry fair, faithful, trusted and free for all!

Zimbabwe church using social media to spread the Gospel


United Methodists in Zimbabwe are using social media to follow church programs and attend Sunday services even if they are physically unable to attend church.

Churches are using social media to reach a larger audience as increased access to the internet has transformed the way people communicate in Zimbabwe.
 
“Social media has become one tool that is necessitating a quicker and urgent fulfillment of the Great Commission which calls us to go to all the world,” said the Rev. Taurai Emmanuel Maforo, pastor at The United Methodist Church Zimbabwe and a communicator for the Zimbabwe Episcopal Area.

With millions in Africa gathered on social media, it has created a medium in which churches can spread the Gospel through videos and other means.
 
“The goal of social media evangelism is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world,” said Elison Kamupira, evangelist for the Harare East District. “Every disciple created online will become a real member in a real church, somewhere in his or her local community.”

Churches are regularly posting sermons on Facebook, which creates an opportunity for connecting as people watch, comment on and share the videos.
 
Spreading the Gospel where people already are is efficient, said Mwazvita Madondo, the chairperson of Harare East District History, Archives and Communications.
 
“(It is) an urge to reach out to more people and create interest through the most popular communication channels,” she said.

There are many people on social media who are heartbroken and looking for a message that can give them hope or strength, Kamupira said. Many of these people may learn how to overcome their challenges with help from social media, where a motivational post can plant a seed in their spirit.

“Many people have received strength by reading or watching evangelism posts online, and some people gave their lives to Christ after interacting with the church online,” Kamupira said. “Many backsliders have been converted after reading a post or watching a video on social media.”

The church has immensely benefited from the better use of technology, said Tinashe Dzotizei, Cranborne United Methodist Church communicator.

“Most importantly, the church has remained relevant in this as it evolves to meet modern trends and new ways to spread the Gospel and information,” Dzotizei said.
 
Live broadcasting allows hundreds, even thousands of people to attend church services virtually.

“The livestream initiative has proven to be a very useful tool in terms of greater outreach of the Gospel,” said Donald Mutepfa, mission connectional ministries chairperson for The United Methodist Church in the United Kingdom. “Even though the physical distance is huge, streaming services have helped cover that gap and connect on a spiritual level. It’s a satisfying feeling seeing friends and family still pushing strongly in the spiritual works.” 

Dzotizei said that the traffic and attention received from live events is “terrific.” 

“The foreign-based members are the major drivers as they share the live feeds to fellow compatriots also abroad and the conversation keeps going,” Dzotizei said. “The success of an online ministry hinges on engagement and this has been very positive and unbelievable.”

Madondo appreciated the support given by the diaspora community. Some members abroad have funded churches to go live on social media because they feel included in its initiatives.

There are many reasons people follow social media from their home country.
 
The online church is offering support and guidance to people who are far away from their homes. College students who are studying abroad and people who have relocated to other countries in search of better opportunities still regard the church as part of their home. Livestreaming and offering recorded sermons online is helping them stay connected and rooted to the church.

“These people bear testimony of the merits of technology,” Dzotizei said. “Instead of suffering from the homesick syndrome, spiritually, Facebook has been a major force in terms of keeping them posted, nourished and engaged.”

Social media also serves homebound people physically unable to attend church services, Dzotizei said. 

“They feel the Sunday moment from the comfort of their homes, watching live broadcast via their mobile phones and laptops, others even bringing testimonies of how they have been revived,” Dzotizei said.
 
Gone are the days when missing a sermon means there is no more opportunity to see it again. 

WhatsApp groups for small groups like women, youth, men and single parents have helped people to keep abreast of what is happening in the church and share ideas. Others churches have created newsletters sent via mailing lists on email.
 
 “This has been an uplifting experience connecting with my home church and I cannot get enough of it,” Mutepfa said. “I hope it will … grow and gain a huge following.”

Muzerengwa is a communicator for the Zimbabwe East Conference.

News media contact: Vicki Brown, news editor, [email protected] or 615-742-5469. To read more United Methodist news, subscribe to the free Daily or Weekly Digests.


Like what you're reading? Support the ministry of UM News! Your support ensures the latest denominational news, dynamic stories and informative articles will continue to connect our global community. Make a tax-deductible donation at ResourceUMC.org/GiveUMCom.

Sign up for our newsletter!

Subscribe Now
Mission and Ministry
Patricia and Ray Kaukonde join hands with Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa to celebrate the dedication of Donzwe United Methodist Church near Mudzi, Zimbabwe, in December 2024. Ray Kaukonde fulfilled his dying mother’s wish by completing construction of the church that was started in 1977 by his grandfather. Photo by Kudzai Chingwe, UM News.

Man blesses many by fulfilling mother’s dying wish

Ray Kaukonde’s late mother’s will instructed his family to continue supporting the welfare of United Methodist pastors. He’s done that and more, including helping to build two new sanctuaries.
Sunrise behind the cross at Belin Memorial United Luke 24:5 Why do you look for the living among the dead? He is not here but has risen. Austin Bond Photography. Graphic by Laurens Glass, UM News. Austin Bond Photography. Taken January 5, 2017. See more cross photos at www.facebook.com/AustinBondPhotography. Please email Austin at austinebond@yahoo.com to use photo, and send him a link or copy of the final project that features his credited photo.

Social media graphics for Lent and Easter

Download art for Lent and Easter from United Methodist to share on social media.
Global Health
The Iliff School of Theology in Denver is offering a Foundations of Death Care course that is the beginning of a new certificate program to help caretakers better comfort dying people and their loved ones. It’s billed as the first such offering at a seminary. Iliff is one of the 13 United Methodist theological schools in the U.S. Photo by truthseeker08, courtesy of Pixabay.

Death doula helps navigate end-of-life care

A new Iliff School of Theology course aims to “change the narrative around death” by giving pastors and others the foundation they need to support the dying and their families.

United Methodist Communications is an agency of The United Methodist Church

©2025 United Methodist Communications. All Rights Reserved