Online Reporter
Tsenulo Moyo
FORGET dull sermons and door-to-door preaching. Young people in Nkulumane just turned evangelism into a vibe.
The Simuka/Phakama Youth Training Programme recently lit up a local church with a high-energy event packed with music, dance, social media tips, and game-changing strategies to reach the lost in fresh, creative ways.
The initiative, part of the Love Zimbabwe Festival, pulled in youths from all corners of Bulawayo and beyond, determined to shake up traditional ministry and make the church relevant again.
“Youths don’t need to wait for their turn. Evangelism is for now. God does not call the qualified, He qualifies the called,” said Samuel Chege Mwangi, team leader of Kubamba and guest speaker at the event.
He urged young people to get out of their comfort zones and into digital spaces.
“Utilize social media, art, activism, podcasts, blogs, street-style outreach. The Gospel doesn’t need to be boxed in,” said Mwangi.
Pastor Saliya Mupamhadzi, project mobiliser, echoed the call.
“The mandate is not to make a boring youth ministry. Youths can evangelise through TikTok challenges, movie nights, bonfires, Instagram and sport,” he said.
Participants were fired up.
“I felt recognized and empowered,” said Michelle Nyandere. “It helped me build confidence in sharing the Word of God and made me realise I have something to contribute.”
Another youth added, “We were told to post ‘God loves you! How can I pray for you?’ on our WhatsApp status. Within 30 minutes, someone messaged me. That’s evangelism.”
Reverend Elisha Mungure from Nkulumane Church of the Nazarene praised the relaxed, youth-driven environment.
“Dance and music motivated the youths. It’s clear that young people can reach their peers better than we can,” he said.
He added that the church must wake up to the reality that many young people are hooked on drugs, porn and street life, and only peer-led evangelism can cut through the noise.
Tafadzwa Jacob Mafukidze, national coordinator of Simuka/Phakama, said the goal is to awaken youth-driven revival.
“We want to ignite a fire in young people to rise, take their place, and declare the Gospel boldly,” he said.
Having hit towns like Chinhoyi, Chegutu, Kadoma, Tsholotsho and now Bulawayo, the Simuka/Phakama fire is spreading fast.
This isn’t your grandparents’ evangelism. It’s the next generation taking the Gospel to the streets, the screens and the soul.
