By TellZim Reporter
After nearly 20 years of separation caused by internal leadership disputes, the Free Methodist Church of Zimbabwe has officially reunited, marking a significant milestone in the church’s history. The church celebrated the reconciliation on July 13, 2025, ending years of division that had led to the formation of two factions: Free Methodist Church of Zimbabwe A and B.
The rift, which began in 2007, was a result of disagreements among senior church leaders. The matter eventually spilled into the courts, which ruled that those who had broken away could only return if they adhered to the church’s constitutional framework.
Church Bishop Isaya Isaiah Masiya expressed deep satisfaction at the reunion, saying the prolonged split had hindered the church’s growth and fractured fellowship among congregants.
“I am happy with what has happened today, after having spent many years with the church split. Our members had conflicts, and the matter went out of hand. We went to the courts, where it was ruled that the other members who had left should submit to the constitution of the church.
“We have tried so many times to reconcile to no avail. The separation affected how we fellowshipped, especially among congregants, and it affected our growth,” said Bishop Masiya.
He acknowledged the role played by regional Bishops in encouraging reconciliation.
“I am grateful to other bishops in various countries in the region who have kept encouraging us to reunite. We have also been discussing this with other pastors, questioning why we are not getting along when we are preaching love to congregants. To the fellow congregants, we invite them back since we have reunited. Let us continue with the good work of the Lord together,” he said.
Local pastor Kabelo Dube, who had been among those who left, reflected on the impact the split had on the church.
“We left this place for the past 20 years and have been fellowshipping elsewhere with a section of the people who were not satisfied with what had happened. We lost quite a number of congregants because of that division. It is not easy to invite a person to church to the point where they become a member.
“This division hurt us as a church because we saw many people even stopping going to church. These divisions affect congregants more than leaders because they have their trust in them, believing we should lead in the same direction, and when we split, they do not know where to go,” said Pastor Dube.
He said despite the breakaway, their spiritual attachment to the church remained though it took long for them to reunite with others.
“We were not able to change the name of the church because our hearts were still with the church. We did not leave because we were against the doctrine of the church, but the leadership of the moment chased us away.
“Though we wanted to come back, but it took long for us to be heard until 2023, where an area fellowship involving Mozambique, South Africa, Zambia, and Zimbabwe gave us a chance to air our grievances. We are grateful that later on in April, the Bishop requested us to resubmit our queries, leading to this development,” said Pastor Dube.
Dube said the conflict had begun with accusations against pastors who were allegedly not following church doctrine, which resulted in the dismissal of eight pastors.
“The split was caused by conflicts between the leadership back then, which accused some of the pastors of not following the doctrines, and eight pastors were fired. The matter was brought to the courts, and we thought it was better if we stopped the fighting. We stopped responding to some of the court processes, and the other section won the case.”
Despite the painful past, Dube said the group’s return was motivated by their belief that the church was bigger than any individual.
“We were inspired to reunite because this church does not belong to anyone. It was started by missionaries who had a desire for Zimbabweans to know God. Hence, we thought we should all come back together,” he said.
A congregant who witnessed the reunion said they were relieved and hopeful that things will improve for the better.
