ABSTRACT
This chapter introduces the religious landscape of Zimbabwe. Christianity in Zimbabwe is still thriving, although it is not homogeneous. Since its introduction by missionary churches, there has been an enormous growth of Christianity. Although missionary Christianity is still popular in Zimbabwe, there has been the formation of self-styled indigenous African Christianity. African Initiated churches were the first to break from missionary churches to include indigenous culture in their liturgy. Another distinct form of Christianity to appear was Classical African Pentecostalism. The African Pentecostalism in Zimbabwe is not homogeneous. African Pentecostalism has three strands, namely, Classical Pentecostalism, Neo-Pentecostalism and Charismatic movements. Such Christian diversity has helped the growth of Christianity and has become a tool affecting people’s lives. Over eighty percent of Zimbabweans are Christians, showing that Christian beliefs are tools supplying meaning to the lives of many. It is against the backdrop of the domination of Christianity in Zimbabwe that this book frames the need to investigate how African churches are ministering “to and with” persons with disabilities. Detailing the Christian landscape of Zimbabwe is a precursor towards the argument that the church has a role and mandate to meet the needs of every individual including persons with disabilities.
