Reaching the African Indigenous Church

About Us

ZEMA, Zion Evangelical Ministries of Africa, is an international missions agency that ministers to the African independent churches in Southern Africa. 

ZEMA primarily ministers to the Zionists of the African independent churches. In South Africa they are often referred to as “amaZioni,” a Zulu word meaning “the people of Zion.” AmaZioni are syncretistic. They integrate Christian belief and indigenous African beliefs. This makes them one of the largest new religious movements on the planet. There are estimates of 15–18 million members throughout Southern Africa.

Though amaZioni are syncretistic, they have a desire to study and follow the Bible. But many amaZioni do not have access to either formal pastoral, seminary) or informal (Sunday school, church small group) Bible teaching. Depending on location and ethnicity, amaZioni might have limited access to any Christian resources.

The Word of God is powerful. (2 Tim. 3:16-17) When amaZioni get access to Bible teaching, it changes everything! It changes how pastors and church leaders preach, breaks chains of fear of evil spirits and ancestors, transforms home lives, opens the way for economic and social responsibility, and brings people to a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ.

ZEMA is uniquely qualified to teach the Bible and disciple these church leaders because we have a connection to the original Zion “mother church” a church established 1896 in Zion, Illinois. This Zion connection makes ZEMA missionaries amaZioni serving amaZioni in Southern Africa! And through ZEMA, even missionaries from other countries can share “the true teachings of Zion” (the Bible) with amaZioni!

ZEMA starts and runs Bible schools, provides training for children’s and youth ministry, publishes and distributes Christian literature, runs Christian camps, produces radio ministries, etc. The heart of our mission is to know God and make Him known among the African Independent Churches.

We invite you to learn about the stories of how God is using the Bible in Southern African by reading our Field Stories.

You can join us and make an impact by supporting a ZEMA missionary or join our General Fund to support ministries across Southern Africa.

To give towards this incredible mission click below.