Reaching the Lost
Benjamin Bones, a faithful servant of Noah's FARM, was the first believer baptized at Woodlands Church.
I will seek the lost, and I will bring back the strayed, and I will bind up the injured, and I will strengthen the weak, and the fat and the strong I will destroy. I will feed them in justice. – Ezekiel 34:16
Zimbabwe is a strongly Christian country, but many rural areas have no churches. Reverend Noah Sibanda felt called to reach out into the countryside from his urban church in Gweru, and Noah’s FARM felt called to help. Pastor Noah trained young men called to be pastors, a work that continues as his legacy today. His widow, Reverend Margaret Sibanda, led outreach efforts into new areas with her Evangelism Team. And Noah’s FARM came alongside, showing the Jesus Film, drilling water wells at new church sites, fencing gardens for agriculture, building simple parsonages that double as worship and outreach centers, and equipping pastors with livelihood projects.
“Run to and fro everywhere, holy fires, beautiful fires; for you are the light of the world, nor are you put under a bushel. He whom you cleave unto is exalted and has exalted you. Run to and fro and be known unto all nations.” – Augustine
In the last two decades more than 30 new churches have been planted in the Midlands District, churches in rural communities where there was no water and is no electricity, but the people have come and rejoiced and been fed. We have also invested in churches in urban Gweru, including Reverend Noah’s pastorate at Mkoba Church of the Nazarene and the construction of Woodlands Church of the Nazarene, the largest Church of the Nazarene building in Zimbabwe, funded by Noah’s FARM and constructed entirely by volunteers. God is using the faithful to bring his sheep into the fold.
RURAL CHURCHES
Les Thomsen, founder of Noah's FARM, meeting with Langton and Memory, a young pastor couple serving in Ngamo
Parishioners returning to their home in Riverdale community
Lower Gweru Church of the Nazarene meeting under a tree. Members of the Evangelism Team are in pink.
Simple two-room homes being built for pastors, with living rooms designed for church gatherings as well
Game Park church members prepare to gather under their thatched shelter
WOODLANDS CHURCH OF THE NAZARENE
Work & Witness team with local volunteers at Woodlands Church construction site in 2016
The beautiful interior is used for workshops and district meetings, as well as weekly services
An overflowing crowd at the dedication service in 2018
