ZEMA

Zion Evangelical Ministries of Africa

Over 18,000,000 people in Southern Africa call themselves amaZioni, meaning people of Zion in Zulu. The Zion they refer to is not the Zion referred to in Scripture (which is another name for Jerusalem), but as unlikely as it sounds, Zion, Illinois, USA. About 100 years ago, missionaries from Christ Community Church in Zion, IL left the USA to expand the Kingdom of God to the peoples of Southern Africa. Although the original missionaries were recalled home a few years after their mission got started, their witness started a movement of people that has grown into one of the largest religions in Africa.

The movement grew faster however, than the ability of the sending church to send missionaries to train and disciple the "people of Zion". Therefore the need for Bible instruction grew in proportion to the growth of the church. Today, that need is being addressed by the ministry of ZEMA, Zion Evangelical Ministries of Africa. Through their missionaries and efforts, pastors and bishops are being instructed in God's word through a ministry called ZEBS, Zion Evangelical Bible Schools, a four year course (one weekend a month) that teaches the students more of God's word to better enable them to instruct their congregations and to lead more of their people into a personal saving relationship with our Lord Jesus Christ.

First Baptist Church is privileged to partner with ZEMA in this Kingdom endeavor. We desire to spread a passion for this ministry to other churches and to encourage churches like ours to send more of their own to this ever expanding and rewarding ministry.

If you would like more information about this ministry, or even if your church would like to be a partner church with ZEMA, please contact either Mr. Nevin Smith at 320-763-6737 or call the church office and we will do our best to answer your questions about this exciting ministry. You can connect directly to their website by clicking on ZEMA.