The laying of the cornerstone at a new church in Tete City

A prayer meeting at the house of an elder in Cuamba

      Mozambique has recently emerged from 26 years of war. The war of liberation from the Portuguese which ended on June 25, 1975, was closely followed by a vicious civil war. The wars left a legacy of land mines, missed education, destroyed infrastructure, and psychological scars. In 1992 peace between the warring sides was declared, leaving the nation to begin the road towards peace. Today there is much to be done in rebuilding the infrastructure of the nation, as well as in reconstructing communities and making up for lost years of education. While all of Mozambique was affected, the Northern regions especially need help rebuilding.
      Historically, northern Mozambique has never had a strong Protestant presence. During the 300 year Portuguese colonial regime Protestant churches were effectively prevented from evangelism in the northern Provinces. Today, however, the Presbyterian church has both the freedom and the call to work in the North. The only barrier remaining is a financial one. However, with what resources the church has, work is being done in Northern Provinces. For example:
      Cabo Delgado Province: A minister sent to this province has successfully created four faith community centers. Among the needs the Presbyterian Church is trying to meet in Cabo Delgado are Christian education seminars, formal education opportunities, education for girls, and support for womens’ groups.
     Nampula Province: There are roughly 4,000 Presbyterian Church members in Nampula Province, many of whom found their faith as refugees in surrounding countries, such as Malawi. The pastoral staff in this province includes a minister and two evangelists. The province is a large one, and the church staff has no means of transportation. This requires them to take public transport, and sometimes even to walk to distant congregations. The work being done in this province includes agricultural projects, civic education, and the organization of North/South cultural exchanges for women and youth.
     Niassa Province: Recently Niassa Province received a pastor, in addition to the evangelist already there. These two are responsible for the almost 1,000 active church members. Presently 700 of the church members live in and around the town of Cuamba, where a chapel has recently been built. The remainder, however live in difficult to reach outlying areas. Niassa is a fertile ground for a growing church, and lacks only resources to grow.
      Zambézia Province: Most of the worshippers in this province are former refugees from Zambia and Malawi, who received the word while displaced. The church is represented in all 10 of the districts in Zambézia. However, the province only has one minister, who lacks the capacity to serve the entire province.
      Tete Province: The church’s presence is stronger in Tete Province than in the other Northern Provinces. Worship communities are thriving and growing. This June, ground was broken on yet another new church in Tete. Currently, the church has a number of projects in the province, including schools, agricultural projects, and churches. There are two ministers in Tete, a youth minister, and a projects officer.
     Manica and Sofala Provinces: Presently two provinces are politically difficult, and still subject to occasional bouts of violence. The church has little support, despite sound conditions for evangelism. Both provinces are supported by a lone minister, who has no supportive infrastructure. These provinces also have some of the greatest need for the influence of Christ, to help extinguish violence, and sow the seeds of peace.