Living the Theology of Development through Integral Mission in Zimbabwe

Kimion Tagwirei ORCID iD 

Issue: Vol.6 No.14 Article 4 pp.3892 – 3902
DOI: https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202561437 | Published online 30th December, 2025
© 2025 The Author(s). This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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The theology of development has been theorised in many ways across the world, though, apparently, its praxis has not received much research attention in Zimbabwe. This study employed a qualitative case study of the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe (EFZ), with data gathered through observant participation and a literature review, to appraise the praxis of development in Zimbabwe’s evangelical churches. It explored the EFZ’s employment of an integral mission to demonstrate the theology of development. Findings reveal that the EFZ has an advanced, integral mission and facilitates partnerships with theological institutions. The Church and grassroots community leaders are expected to live out the theology of development and optimise holistic transformation in a collaborative way. In conclusion, the EFZ, as the head of these processes, portrays the theology of development and integral mission as the hand that enacts sustainable wellbeing in Zimbabwe. Therefore, this paper contributes to practical reflections on the theology of development.

Keywords: Church, Mission, Community, Praxis, Development.

 

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Kimion Tagwirei (PhD) is a Postdoctoral Research fellow at North-West University, The Unit for Reformational Theology and the Development of the South African Society, Faculty of Theology, Potchefstroom, South Africa. He researches, teaches and publishes African spiritualities and leadership, integral mission for sustainable development, and inclusive wellbeing.

Tagwirei, Kimion. “Living the Theology of Development through Integral Mission in Zimbabwe.” E-Journal of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences 6, no. 14 (2025): 3892 – 3902, https://doi.org/10.38159/ehass.202561437.

© 2025 The Author(s). Published and Maintained by Noyam Journals. This is an open access article under the CCBY license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).

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