Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe

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Statement of Faith

Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ) established in 1962, is a membership-based voluntary national Fellowship composed of church denominations, Para church bodies, Christian organizations and individuals adhering to the common beliefs attributed to evangelical and Pentecostal Christian orthodoxy. Evangelicals join in fellowship to proclaim and demonstrate the Whole Gospel of the Kingdom of God saving the soul, body and spirit. This is done through facilitating fellowship and ministry of member bodies, ministering to the nation and providing humanitarian, relief, advocacy, counsel, peace building, development services, women and youth empowerment and entrepreneurship.  EFZ has a membership of over 800 members and is active in all 10 Provinces of the Country.    Statement of Faith We believe in the Holy Scriptures as originally given by God to be divinely inspired, infallible without error and the supreme authority in all matters of faith and conduct. (2 Timothy 3:16; Peter 1:21; Matthew 24:35; Psalm 119:105). We believe in our Lord Jesus Christ, God manifest in the flesh, His sinless human life, His divine miracles, His vicarious and atoning death, His bodily resurrection, His ascension, His mediatorial work, and His personal return in power and glory. (Colossians 2:9; Isaiah 7:14; Hebrews 4:15; Acts 2:22; 1 Peter 1:3/3:18; Mark 16:19; 1 Timothy 2:5; Luke 21:27) We believe that, because of sin, the entire human race is lost and that lost, sinful men can only be saved through the atoning death, shed blood, and resurrection of the Lord through the regeneration of the Holy Spirit (Romans 5:8; 1 Peter 1:19- 20; Romans 10:9; Ephesians 2:9; Titus 3:5). We believe in the person of the Holy Spirit whose ministry is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ to convict the world of sin and to regenerate the sinner upon believing in Christ and to indwell the believer sanctifying him through the truth and enabling him to live a holy life and to witness and work for the Lord Jesus Christ (John 6:63; John16:8,13,14; 1 John 5:1; Romans 8:9; 1 Peter 1:2; Acts 1:8). We believe that the church is composed of all such persons who through saving faith in Jesus Christ, having been regenerated by the Holy Spirit, are spiritually united in the body of Christ, of which he is the head (Acts 2:47; 1 Corinthians 12:24,27; Colossians 1:18). We believe in the bodily resurrection of all the dead of the believers to everlasting blessedness and joy with the Lord and of the unbelievers to judgement and everlasting conscious punishment. (John 5:28; John 29; 1 Thessalonians 4:16/17; Revelation 20:11-15).

EFZ Members 2021

To search, press Ctrl-F and then type the name of the Church or Organisation. [grid4] [list 1] The House of God Ministries 700 Club International Ablaze International Ministries Abundant Grace Church Abundant Life For All Nations Abundant Life Ministries Across The Jordan Pentecostal Min Acts Ministries International Church Acts of Faith Church Acts of God Church Acts of The Apostle Church Acts of The Apostles Ministries adonai grace innternational min Africa Ablaze Ministries Africa Evangelical Church Africa Maranatha Faith Min Africa Outreach Ministries African Evangelistic Enterprise African Apostolic Faith Mission of Holy Ghost (AAFM) African Leadership Resource Ministry Agape Christ Ministries in Africa Agape Christian Life Ministries International Agape Family International Ministries Agape Love Ministries Agape Missions Alfa Ministries All Blessings From Christ All Thing Are Possible Alliance Christian Church of God Alpha And Omega Is Christ Ministries International Alpha Ministries Amazing Grace Church Amazing Grace International Ministries Amazing Grace Ministries Amazing Grace Ministries International Amazing Love International Ministries Ambassador For Christ Ministries International Ambassadors of Heaven International Min Anchor 0f Hope Andrew Womark Ministries Zimbabwe Angelic Gospel Ministries International Anointed Ambassador For Christ Anointed Family Church Anointed Life Ministries Apostolic Church of Christ Apostolic Church of God Apostolic Church of Pentecost Apostolic Enlightement Mission Apostolic Faith Church One Body Apostolic Faith Mission In Zimbabwe (AFM) Apostolic Followers Church Apostolic Go Ye Ministries International Apostolic Gospel Church International Apostolic Life Ministries international Appointed Time Ministries Arena of Liberty Ministries In Zimbabwe Arising And Shining International Min Army of Jesus Ministries Arunha Mission Fellowship Zim Assemblies of God Assemblies of God General Council Authentic Church of God Awake Grace Ministries International (Individual Member) Awana Zimbabwe Back To Bible Ministries Baptist Convention Baptist Union of Zimbabwe Beacon of Hope Beam of Hope Believers in Christ Believers of Christ Min Bethel Assemblies Ministries International Bethel Fellowship Church Bethel of Mercy Church of Christ Bethel Pentecostal Church Bethel Way Ministries Bible Believing Grace Min Bible Faith Fellowship Bible Faith Intl Church Bible Gospel Church In Africa Bible League Bible Ministries Bible Society of Zimbabwe Blood of Christ Ministries Body of Christ Church Body of Christ Ministries International Bread of Life Ministries Bread of Life Assemblies Bread of Life Tabernacle Breakthrough International Ministries Brethren In Christ Church Budiriro Christian Fellowship Calvary Ministries International calvary baptist bible church Calvary Christian Church And Min Calvary Christian Life Missions Calvary Conerstone Ministries International Calvary Family Church Calvary Fellowship Ministries International Calvary International Ministries In Zimbabwe Calvary Love Ministries Calvary Love Ministries of All Nations Cave of Adullam Celebration Churches International Celebration College Centre of Life Church Charis Missionary Church Chinhoyi Christian Fellowship chinhoyi christian fellowship Christ Fellowship Ministries International Christ Aglow Church Christ Aglow Ministries Christ Ambassador Heaven Min Christ Ambassadors Church In Africa Christ Ambassadors Church In Africas Christ Ambassadors Ministries International Christ Assemblies Fellowship Christ Care Givers Global Christ Centered Ministries International Christ Character Ministries Christ College Christ Connect Family Church Christ Exalted Ministries International Christ Faith Tabernacle Christ Fellowship-Five Fold Ministries Christ Fire Ministries Christ For All Creation Ministry Christ for all Ministries Christ For Salvation Christ Foundation Outreach Intl Min Christ Generation Ministries Christ Gospel Church Christ Healing Christ In Me Church Christ Is The Rock Ministry World Wide Christ Kingdom Christian Church Christ Legacy Missions International Christ Life Church Christ Life Reconciliation Christ Message of Hope Min Christ Ministries Christ Ministries Church of Zimbabwe Christ Ministries International Christ ministry church Christ Mission Ministries International Christ Realm Ministries of All Nations Christ Reigning Light International Christ Tabernacle Bible Church Int Christ Tabernacle International Christ Tebernacle Bible Church International Christ The Rock Ministries Christ Time Min Christ’S Oasis Ministries International Christian faith fellowship church Christian Aflame Ministries Christian Assemblies Christian Assembly Fellowship church Christian Audio Visual Action Christian Center Christian Community Church Christian Concern Ministries Christian Covenant Ministries In Christ Christian Evangelistic Assemblies Christian Faith Church Christian Faith Fellowship Christian Faith Ministries Christian Family Centre International Ministries Christian Family Church International Christian Family Worship Centre Christian Fellowship Church Christian Fellowship Ministries Christian Fellowship ministries Christian Fellowship Tabernacle Christian Healing Family Church Christian Leadership Foundation Christian Life Centre Thamesmead Christian Light Ministries International Christian Miracle Centre Christian Obedience Ministries Christian Power Ministries International Christian Revival Assemblies Christian Revival Church Christian Revival International Church Christian Walk Min Christian World Outreach Africa Christian Worship Centre Chrsit the life Ministries Church of Christ Ministries Church In Christ Ministries Church of Acts Church of Disciples Church of Fraternity Church of God Christian Center Church of God Mountain Assembly Church of Living God Church of Pentecost International Zimbabwe Church of The Nazarene Church of Worship Church On The Rock Ministries International Church On The Way Citadale of Power International Ministries City of Grace City of Life Ministries City Of Praise Church Co Workers With Christ Comforter Holy Min Compassion Christian Church International Cornerstone Fellowship International courtship and marriage Foundation Covenant Christian Fellowship In Zimbabwe Covenant Faith Ministries Covenant House Miracle Centre International Ministries Covenant Ministries Covenant of God Ministries Covenant of Grace Church Covenant of Love Full Gospel Church Cry Out Africa Ministries Dawn Ministries Deeper Life Bible Church Deliverance Ministries And Way of God Church Desire of All Naton Devine Family Life Min Devine Gospel Ministries of Christ International Devine Grace International Devine Grace International Ministries Devine Grace Ministries Devine House of Prayer Ministries Devine Restoration Ministries Disciple of Jesus Christ Disciples Church Disciples of Christ Ministries Divine Connection Church Divine Destiny International Ministries Divine Revelation Ministries International Divine Women of Prayer International Domboshawa Theological College Dominion Ministries Dream Life International Min dunamis Fire ministries Ebenezer Covenant Life Ministries Ebenezer Ministries International Eden Life Deliverance Min Efatha Ministry El Shaddai Ministries International . Elim Pentecostal Church Elim Revival Centre Elshaddai Bible Academy Emmanuel Community Worship Centre Ministries International Emmanuel Family Ministries International Emmanuel Gospel Revival Emmanuel Ministries Emmanuel Wesleyan Church End of Age Christian Life Ministry End of Age Ministries Equip Zimbabwe Eternal Faith Assemblies Eternal Life Ministries Eternal Paths Pentecostal Ministries Eternal Word Ministries Evangelical Apostles Church International

Marriages Bill

An analysis on the good, emerging challenges and EFZ’s recommendations.

Submissions on the Proposed Marriages Bill, 2019

20 August 2019   Dear Clerk of Parliament On behalf of the 814 Church denominations and parachurch bodies, representing over 4.5million Christians and citizens in Zimbabwe, we hereby make submissions regarding the proposed Marriages Bill 2019.   The title of the Bill is, “Marriages Bill, 2019” The Bill is about marriages. This is consistent with the Bill’s Memorandum which states that, “There will be one Act of Parliament governing marriages in Zimbabwe.” There are three types of marriages in Zimbabwe, the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11], the Customary Marriages Act [Chapter 5:07] and the Unregistered Customary Law Union. It is these marriages which should be covered by the Bill. Any other relationship or living arrangement which is not a marriage should have no place in the Marriages Bill. Civil Partnerships are not marriages. They therefore should not be accommodated in the Bill. The Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe agrees with the following in the Bill: Clause 3 (1): That no person under the age of (18) eighteen years may contract a marriage or enter into an unregistered customary law union. We say NO to child marriages. Clause 4: That each party to the marriage must give their free and full consent to the marriage. Clause 6: That parties to any marriage have equal rights and obligations during the subsistence, and at dissolution of the marriage. The repeal and replacement of the Customary Marriages Act [Chapter 5:07] and the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11] and their replacement with one Act of Parliament governing marriages in Zimbabwe. Clause 9: The appointment of Chiefs as Marriage Officers in Customary law marriages. Clause 16: The registration of unregistered customary law unions.   AREAS REQUIRING ATTENTION The Bill does not cover some significant issues arising out of marriage. The Bill should deal with the property, custody and guardianship rights arising from the three types of marriages. The Bill should deal with inheritance issues in respect of the three types of marriages. In this regard the distinction between section 3A of the Deceased Estates Succession Act [Chapter 6:02] which provides that: “The surviving spouse of every person who, on or after 1st November 1997, dies wholly or partly intestate shall be entitled to receive from the free residue of the estate, the house or other domestic premises in which the spouses or the surviving spouse, as the case may be, lived immediately before the persons death” which applies to intestate succession in respect of the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11] and section 68 (2) of the Administration of Estates Act [Chapter 6:01] which provides that: “Where the deceased person was a man and is survived by two or more wives, whether or not there are any surviving children; (i) Where the wives lived in separate houses, each wife should get ownership of or, if that is impracticably, a usufruct over the house she lived in at the time of the deceased’s death. (ii) Where the wives live together in one house at the time of the deceased person’s death, they should get joint ownership of or, if that is impracticable, a joint usufruct over the house.(iii) Where the deceased person is survived by one spouse and one or more children, the surviving spouse should get ownership of or, if that is impracticable, a usufruct over the house in which the spouse lived at the time of the deceased’s death.” Which applies to customary marriages, should be removed. Clause 16 provides that a marriage contracted solely according to customary law and not solemnised in terms of this Act must be registered by the parties to such marriage within three months of the date of the union. This implies that neither party can register the union without the consent of the other. It is proposed that either party should be allowed to register the union after meeting the requirements set out in Clause 16 (2). The Bill does not apply the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13] to customary law unions. There is no reason why the Matrimonial Causes Act [Chapter 5:13] which applies to the Marriage Act [Chapter 5:11] and the Customary Marriages Act [Chapter 5:07] should not apply to customary law unions in light of Clause 6 of the Bill. The Bill does not define when a customary law union comes into being. This should be included in the Bill. In this regard Justice Tsanga’s judgment in Nathan Hosho v Lilian Hasisi HH491-15 is instructive. The learned judge held that payment of ‘roora’, ‘lobola’ remains the most cogent and valued proof and indicator of a customary union or marriage particularly when it has been formally registered. The learned judge further observed that: “For a marriage to qualify as a customary marriage, certain cultural practices which involve payment of roora/lobola are attendant upon its formation. Payment consists of a lump sum payment of money (called rutsambo among the Shona) as well as cattle though increasingly the money equivalent is paid in today’s society.”   In an earlier judgment, in the case of Calisto Kabera v Josephine Gunda HH192-99 Justice Chinhengo held that a customary law marriage is contracted when the husband has either agreed to pay roora in terms of an agreement between him and his in-laws or when he has actually paid roora and in either case, he has been accepted as a son-in-law. Roora is in fact rutsambo at the very least. The differences in the appointment of Chiefs and Ministers of Religion as Marriage Officers and the revocation of their designation as Marriage Officers (Clauses 9 and 13) require attention especially when read together with Statutory Instrument 866/1979 (section 3 (3) and (4) of which should be repealed) and Clause 46 (2) (C). The conflict between the explanatory note in Clause 32 and the actual Clause 32 should be removed so that Ministers of Religion can receive gifts by reason of anything done by him/her as a Marriage Officer. The definition of “young person” in section 61 of the Criminal Law (Codification & Reform) Act [Chapter 9:23] should