The Apostolic Church in Zimbabwe Establishes Youth Movements to Combat Drug Abuse

THE Apostolic Church in Zimbabwe (TAC) has created a youth movement as part of efforts to combat drug and substance abuse.

The newly appointed National Youth Leader/Pastor is Pastor Thamsanqa Ngwenya, while the National Children’s Ministry Director is Prophet Christopher Sibanda. These are inaugural positions within the ministry, reflecting the church’s commitment to uplifting the lives of young people.

The appointments coincide with the unveiling of a new executive. The outgoing leadership includes President Apostle Levy Moyo, Vice President Apostle Stephen Maradze, General Secretary Apostle Joshua Makuwerere, and Finance Secretary Apostle George Ncube.

The incoming leadership comprises President Apostle Stephen Maradze, Vice President Apostle Amos Sibanda, General Secretary Apostle Conium Nyathi, and Finance Secretary Apostle Sydney Beaven Gatsi. The General Secretary has also been appointed as a special envoy to the country.

The Apostolic Church is a worldwide denomination that originated in Great Britain in 1916 as a result of the Welsh Revival, which began in 1904. The church has since expanded to over 150 countries, including Zimbabwe.

The Apostolic Church in Zimbabwe was established in Salisbury (now Harare) in 1951 by missionaries from the Apostolic Church of Great Britain. Churches were subsequently established in Gatooma (now Kadoma) and Bulawayo. The church grew significantly, with many congregations established throughout the country, particularly in the rural areas of Matabeleland and in neighbouring countries such as Mozambique and Malawi.

Between 1980 and the mid-1990s, the church experienced substantial growth, with numerous new branches established. On 12 August 2007, the Ministers’ Council of the Apostolic Church in the UK granted autonomy to the Zimbabwean church. Today, the Apostolic Church in Zimbabwe has mission fields in Johannesburg and Cape Town, South Africa.

Speaking on the sidelines of a conference to unveil the new leadership, outgoing President Apostle Levy Moyo described the appointment of a Children’s Church Leader as a historic milestone. He emphasised the importance of this role in guiding young people and keeping them on the right path.

“Today is a significant day for the church as I step down as president, and a new seven-member executive is appointed. Notably, this includes the first-ever Children’s Church Leader, who also serves in the Zimbabwe National Army (ZNA).

“His appointment underscores the church’s dedication to moulding young people into fine individuals and potential leaders. This initiative is also part of our strategy to combat drug and substance abuse. We will roll out various programmes to keep young people away from the streets and harmful activities,” said Apostle Moyo.

He expressed concern over the growing prevalence of drug use among youths, calling for urgent collective action.

“As a church, we are committed to working with various stakeholders to address the issue of drug and substance abuse, particularly among young people.

“Imagine if all adults had succumbed to Covid-19—the world would be in a dire state. Similarly, if a significant portion of our youth remains addicted to drugs, we risk losing future leaders, future MPs, and future ministers. We cannot allow drugs to infiltrate every level of society, including parliament. As a church, we are determined to fight this cause,” said Apostle Moyo.

He reiterated the church’s support for the Government and its initiatives.

National Youth Leader/Pastor Thamsanqa Ngwenya highlighted the importance of improving the livelihoods of young people through the new initiatives.

“As a pastor, I believe I can uplift the lives of young people by providing spiritual guidance, mentorship, and support. By sharing the word of God and its practical applications, I aim to empower young people to make informed decisions, build their self-esteem, and develop a strong moral compass—especially in a society where drug abuse is prevalent.

“I also hope to help young people navigate life’s challenges, discover their purpose, and unlock their full potential. Through self-empowerment programmes, we will address unemployment and groom them to become Christ-centred leaders in their communities,” said Pastor Ngwenya.

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