Latest News #309
April 7, 2005

The following news concerns Zimbabwe.

Bible Society thankful for peaceful elections in Zimbabwe

In the bookshop of the Bible Society of Zimbabwe, a woman and a security guard read the Scripture Selection, Choosing Leaders God's Way, which was distributed across the country during the 2005 parliamentary elections. Harare, Zimbabwe. Photo: BSZ (ZIM05DJ-1.JPG)

HARARE, Zimbabwe — Despite the controversy that continues to surround last week's parliamentary elections in Zimbabwe, the Bible Society of Zimbabwe says it is thankful that relative peace prevailed, unlike in previous polls.

"We are grateful to members of the UBS fellowship for praying for peace and tranquillity during this time," comments Edward Mutema, the Society's General Secretary. "For us, this really was an election with a difference, with very little violence occurring.

"For us at Bible House, it was business as usual, with people continuing to request Scriptures and taking a particular interest in our election Selection, Choosing Leaders God's Way. We were able to distribute this Selection to President Robert Mugabe and Vice Presidents Joyce Mujuru and Joseph Msika, as well as to all 120 Members of Parliament.

"We have not yet received any feedback from them but we are pleased that God's Word was placed in the hands of those leaders who can make a difference. Our prayer is that they will lead in accordance with the Bible."

Hundreds of thousands of copies of the Selection were distributed throughout the country before and during the elections in partnership with churches, the Zimbabwe Christian Council, Scripture Union and the Evangelical Fellowship of Zimbabwe. The publication is an adaptation of the Selection God's Choice for President, which was distributed during the 2002 presidential elections (see Latest News #190 and #192).

The Society has received positive feedback about the new Selection, particularly from churches, which are finding it a useful tool in leadership training. A pastor from the Glad Tidings Fellowship in Harare came to Bible House after seeing a copy of the Selection in order to seek more material about biblical leadership. A Methodist leader, too, said he planned to distribute the new publication to Methodist Churches throughout the country.

A lack of Shona Bibles, however, marred the Society's ability to serve people's Scripture needs during the election period – a tense time for many people.