Church leaders and youth organisations in Zimbabwe have joined forces to fight drug and substance abuse, which they describe as a crisis threatening the lives and futures of young people.
Drug use has surged across the country, with children as young as 13 reportedly hooked on crystal meth, marijuana, cough syrups and cheap alcohol. Religious groups say the scourge is destroying families and tearing communities apart.
Speaking at a media briefing in Bulawayo on Tuesday, Bishop Ellison Shava said the church’s main mission was to use the gospel to bring about real change in young people’s lives.
“The gospel transforms us and when we truly live it right. Our main goal is to not only emphasise spiritual growth but to also empower young people to stand against destructive habits such as drug abuse,” he said.
Elliot Manadza from the Simuka Youth Programme said their approach placed empowerment at the centre of the fight against drugs.
“Within churches, a significant shift in focus has taken place where we are definite that the gospel needs to be holistic. It’s what we are now calling an integral mission, where we are not only preaching the gospel, but also looking at empowering people… helping them come up with ideas of what they can do to fight against drug abuse and to empower their future,” Manadza said.
He added that teaching entrepreneurial skills would give young people a sense of ownership over their lives.
“Young people will now have a sense of ownership because unfortunately, historically the idea of loans or donor activity has created dependency and many times disempowers people. We believe that the gospel of Jesus Christ is transformative and that it empowers people to take a hold of their own destiny,” he said.
Manadza also noted that churches were supporting youth with practical initiatives aimed at building sustainable futures.
“As churches we are now doing various programs that are working on entrepreneurial development. Whether it’s within the rural settings where people are living or in urban areas… the aim is to seek opportunities not just for retail, but also for productivity so that there’s a growth and creation of employment for those that may not be entrepreneurial,” he explained.
Bryce Kwant of Plow Ministries said drug abuse was not simply a matter of poverty but of morality.
“All these problems that we face are not due to a lack of money or an abundance of money. It’s due to a corrupt heart and that is something that we believe wholeheartedly,” he said.
He added that their ministry aimed for broader social transformation. “Our heart’s desire is to see people take the word of God seriously. Filled with the deep convictions to stop lying, cheating, stealing and also to stop abusing substances,” said Kwant.
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