A Generational Legacy

Edward Janda started the first Seventh-day Adventist Church in Musungwa, Zimbabwe, in the early 1920s. Named Chigwamba, after a nearby mountain, it became the mother church for many Seventh-day Adventist churches in the region. When Janda’s grandson, Joseph, heard one of the churches was unsafe for worship services, he enlisted the help of his church—Bowie Seventh-day Adventist Church. The church board decided to undertake the whole project with the assistance of Maranatha Volunteers International.

Feeling like “Gideon’s Army,” the small group set out to restore the church and provide necessities to the villagers in the area. Construction and health clinics took place during the day and prophecy seminars and children’s stories were held in the evening. More than 200 locals came during the week, swelling to more than 500 on Sabbath. 

During the final Sabbath celebration, the building was full and more than 200 children met under a tree for wonderful singing, Bible stories, and to watch puppet shows about Bible values.

During the afternoon service, 28 people were baptized. Janda’s 92-year-old daughter, Gift Magwizi, was honored with a picture of her father. Bowie church members are very appreciative of the many people and organizations who helped make the completion of this project possible.

Work has continued and the building was completely finished with the Seventh-day Adventist Church logo and name painted on the front. Two local businesses also donated $10,000 so a well could be drilled on the church property.

By Jesse Coulson