Zion Evangelical Ministries of Africa

2024 Annual Report

Working with the amaZioni, we are together becoming mature disciples of Jesus Christ, serving Him as He grows His kingdom in Southern Africa.

TOGETHER. MATURING. SERVING. GROWING.

Annual Report PDF Archive

Board Chairman’s Report

On behalf of the ZEMA Board of Directors, I would like to thank you for your faithful participation with us in the gospel of Christ in Southern Africa. What a privilege it is to co-labor with you. Glory and honor and praise and majesty be to his name from this day forth and forever. There is no greater calling than to be in His service.

God has brought people from diverse backgrounds and expertise to serve on board. Some are pastors. Some former missionaries. Some from mission organizations. Some from the field of academics. Geographic locations range from Alaska to eastern Tennessee; from Wisconsin to Arkansas. Some grew up in South Africa and have an intimate knowledge of African culture. All have a heart for the amaZioni people and the gospel of Christ.

The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Please pray with us that God would send laborers into his harvest. Pray with us that God would raise up a new generation of leaders as some of our faithful, long-term missionaries reach retirement age.

Once again, thank you. In His matchless, holy name,

Mike Gibbs, Chair
ZEMA Board of Directors

ZEMA Field Director Report – Field Director, Paul Seelhammer

In 2024, ZEMA was blessed by receiving funding to provide alternative power solutions for ZEMA missionary homes. This has helped to provide a stable base from which to go forth and preach and teach the Word of God in South Africa, eSwatini, Malawi, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, and elsewhere in Africa. What a blessing it has been to see how God continued to provide for the opportunities and resources to encourage the amaZioni people of Southern Africa to follow Jesus alone. In 2024 there were 2700 ZEBS/ZBC students studying in 85 locations in Southern Africa. We continue to be amazed by the transformation happening through the proclamation and teaching of the Word of God through Bible schools and ZEMA’s media resources, which are continuing to expand. In 2024, we had one missionary couple retire, and there will be two more couples retiring in 2025. We need to keep praying as Jesus said in Luke 10:2, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” (NIV)

ZEMA Home Office Report Home Office Directors –Greg & Carlene Seghers

In ZEMA’s Home Office, we have continued to pursue relationships with 5 USA Based Bible colleges. Carlene and Greg again taught a 17-week Intercultural Engagement course during the fall term at Moody Bible Institute (MBI) and were guest speakers for a class and a podcast at Dallas Theological Seminary (DTS). They also participated in the mission emphasis weeks at MBI and Wheaton College. Greg was interviewed for TheTable Podcast at DTS which can be viewed on ZEMA’s website. We are thankful for Kathy Richards who is our Home Office Manager. Kathy puts together the Focus Newsletter, and year end documents, and is always available to our financial supporters to help with questions or when assistance is needed in any way.

ZEMA now has a partnership with the Global Ethnodoxology Network. This organization promotes a model of ministry that supports church leaders worldwide to find the gospel message as God has placed it within their cultural context, and then to share the gospel through relevant and poignant artistic forms of communication, and in ways that encourages multiculturalism and building up the body of Christ in their places of birth and belonging.

We are also now, associate members with the Association for Christian Theological Education in Africa. ACTEA’s purpose is to strengthen theological education through accreditation, scholarship, and support services, and to serve the church and transform society, with the vision of a vibrant African Church transforming society.

Finally, we’re thrilled to be able to share answers to your prayers, and the results of the generous support of many. The Alternative Energy Project from 2024 has been fully funded, and many of the missionaries now have alternative energy in their homes when SA loadshedding kicks in! The Translation Project now has donations in an amount which provides for the creation of videos for all 66 books of the Bible!

Praise God for his provision, and please continue to pray for ZEMA’s ministries and missionaries as they share Christ with the amaZioni!

ZEMA Highlights

ZEMA Family

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US BOARD OF DIRECTORS

12 Members

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SA FIELD COUNCIL

8 Members

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HOME OFFICE PERSONNEL

3 Ministry Workers

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MISSIONARIES

17 Family Units, report links at the end of this page.

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ORGANIZATIONAL PARTNERSHIPS

11 Partners

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BIBLE SCHOOLS

85 Schools
59 African teachers
16 Missionary teachers
2700 Students

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Zion Evangelical Fellowship of Africa

~Promoting unity among amaZioni Churches since 1984

ZEFA Council – 8 African & 2 Missionary pastors
40th Annual Conference – 150 in attendance
ZEFA Membership – 180 Active Zion Churches

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FINANCIAL PARTNERS

35 Churches
334 Individuals
3 Foundations/Grants

Annual Missionary Conference. At Sunbury, July 2024

ZEMA Board Retreat, Sept 2024

ZEBS at Mayville KZN

2024 Annual ZEFA Conference

2024 Sunbury Christian Camp

Alternative Energy Project Completed!

New Fields Ministry. Malawi, 2024

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2024 ZEMA PROJECTS

Bible School Scholarship Fund

~Sponsors amaZioni leaders to study at accredited institutions

Alternative Energy Fund

~Completed. Providing alternative energy resources for ZEMA missionaries and ministries.

Translation Project

~Praise God for adequate funding to complete the production of the 66 Scripture Series videos (every book of the Bible) into Zulu. These are being produced in cooperation with the BibleProject.

New Fields Fund

~Provides resources for the expansion of ministries in new areas. Currently: Malawi & Zimbabwe.

Sunbury General Maintenance Fund

~Annually maintained as a resource for emergency maintenance of Sunbury’s facility.