ZEEM: Zimbabwe Educational Empowerment Ministry

What is ZEEM?

In a word, ZEEM is Jephias Maipi—(1) Jephias teaching and mentoring students at Central Africa Christian College (formerly Zimbabwe Christian College) in Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, and (2) Jephias overseeing a program that makes it possible for children to attend primary and secondary schools in the region of his hometown in Zimbabwe. The work of ZEEM is overseen by a board and would be impossible without the financial support of churches and individuals, but the execution of the ministry is done by Jephias himself.

About Jephias

I am Jephias Maipi and I conduct the work of Zimbabwe Educational Empowerment Ministry, overseen by a board, most of whom are members of Hopwood Christian Church.

I was born in Zimbabwe, in southern Africa.  My wife, Alice, and I have three children: a son, Shalom, and two daughters, Sharmaine and Shekinah.  I graduated from Zimbabwe Christian College (now Central Africa Christian College) in 1997 and became a professor there in 2009. Five years later I moved to Tennessee to pursue theological and pastoral education at Emmanuel Christian Seminary. My purpose was to equip myself better for ministry in Zimbabwe.

As I think of my vocational story, I’m reminded of Samuel’s words in 1 Samuel 7:12: “Thus far the Lord has helped us.” As Samuel saw God’s victory for Israel, so I see the victory that God has achieved in me. Who would ever think that a boy born in a non-Christian family would become a preacher, teacher, and professor? Like the children that ZEEM is sponsoring, were it not for the financial assistance of a caring Christian, I would not have been able to complete even my early education.

Baptized at age of 14, I got involved in the activities of the Christian Union in my high school. This organization, which seeks to reach students with the Good News, had a profound impact on me. As a result of my participation in Christian Union events, I made the decision to devote my life to the ministry of God. In my final year of high school, I was privileged to lead a Christian Union group.

Even before graduating from high school, the pastor at my local church would sometimes give me opportunities to preach. I would also accompany him when he was visiting church members. This work with my pastor confirmed my calling to ministry. When I made my intentions known to the pastor, he encouraged me to enroll in a three-year educational program at Zimbabwe Christian College (now CACC). Unfortunately, I didn’t have the money for tuition.

Nevertheless, the Lord provided for me! Mr. Pemberton, a missionary in our area, learned about my desire to do ministry and made it possible for me to attend ZCC. This development was a great confirmation of my calling to ministry. Thus I enrolled in ZCC and graduated in three years.

After graduation I returned to my home church and served as an associate pastor. But since the church was unable to provide me with financial support, I had to leave after a year to take a teaching position. For eight years I taught in both public and Christian schools.

In 2005 I was invited to teach at a new Christian school and to pastor a church yet-to-be-planted at the school. When my wife, Alice, and I moved to the new school we were warmly welcomed by the community. After three months we started a new church at the school with three families. From that time on, the church grew and has become a source of light to that community.

The year 2009 saw us moving back to teach at ZCC in Harare. There I not only served as a professor, but also as a sort of dean of students. I also led students on evangelistic outreach trips arranged by the college. It was during this time that I became acquainted with Emmanuel Christian Seminary through visiting professors. Eventually I decided to enroll in this seminary to be further equipped for my teaching and preaching ministry. Thus my academic work at Emmanuel began in 2014, and was successfully completed in 2019. I remained in the States fund-raising until June 2020 when I returned to my family and my home in Harare, Zimbabwe.

As a result of my seminary education I’ve been further prepared to life and for ministry. Upon my return to Zimbabwe, I immediately resumed my teaching responsibilities at Central Africa Christian College (formerly ZZC). My wife and I continue to mentor a growing number of children sponsored by ZEEM. In addition, we have planted a new church on the west side of Harare. This church gives us not only the opportunity of spreading the Gospel in a different part of our capital city, but it also is providing training opportunities for our students.

ZEEM and Central Africa Christian College

Jephias and CACC

When Jephias returned to Harare, the capital of Zimbabwe, he resumed his teaching ministry as a professor at Central Africa Christian College ( formerly ZCC), teaching courses such as Introduction to the New Testament, Introduction to Biblical Greek, and The Life of Christ. In addition to his classroom work, Jephias leads student teams on outreach trips around Zimbabwe, thus providing CACC students with practical experience in teaching and preaching at supporting churches.

The dire economy in Zimbabwe makes it difficult for the college, with its approximately eighty students, to offer salaries to its professors.  Thus, contributions to ZEEM enable Jephias to continue to share his Christian wisdom and knowledge with CACC students, while enabling the college to stretch its financial resources.

Mission of CACC

CACC, supported by Christian Churches and Churches of Christ in the United States and in Zimbabwe, exists to educate Christian leaders for ministry in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa. With a three-year on-campus program and one-year satellite courses, CACC offers a variety of delivery methods for Christian undergraduate education designed to develop deeper biblical understanding and stronger leadership skills to prepare students for a variety of roles both within and outside of the church setting. By training pastors and teachers, the college encourages church planting and church growth throughout the region.

Currently, graduates are serving in many of the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ in Zimbabwe. Graduates are also serving in the following countries: Mozambique, Malawi, South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Sudan, Kenya, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Tanzania, and Namibia.

History of CACC

Several missionaries form the Christian Churches and Churches of Christ trained Christians for ministry in various locations for many years in what was Rhodesia, but in 1975 , these efforts came together to form Rhodesian Christian College. The college was located in the capital of Salisbury and was under the leadership of the college’s first principal, Jack Pennington, an American missionary. At the new college, both Africans and Europeans participated in night classes, church services, camps, retreats, mission meetings, and Bible correspondence courses.

After the civil war which brought independence in 1980, the nation became Zimbabwe, and the college became Zimbabwe Christian College in the newly renamed capital of Harare. The next year, resident classes began on campus. In the thirty years that followed, the college was led by Jack Pennington, David Altman, Kenneth Makusha (the college’s first Zimbabwean principal), and Sidney Mavodza, the current principal.

The college’s first building was formerly a hotel. A classroom building was soon added, and in the past ten years, an administration building and library have also been constructed.

In 2022, Zimbabwe Christian College was reconstituted and now operates under auspices of Hippo Valley Christian Mission. At that time the college was renamed Central Africa Christian College.

Like many Americans, students at CACC require financial assistance to obtain their diploma. Thus CACC is a “working college,” where, in addition to their studies, students work on campus, laboring in the garden, in the kitchen, or cleaning the facilities.

The 500+ graduates of the college serve in a variety of ministries: pastors of churches; chaplains in the military, prisons, boarding schools, and hospitals; teachers of Bible correspondence courses; missionaries to surrounding countries; administrators and teachers of children homes; college professors; and church planters and leadership trainers.

For more information about Central Africa Christian College visit: https://www.centralafricachristiancollege.org

ZEEM and Children

Currently ZEEM provides the finances that make it possible for fifteen vulnerable children to attend their local public school in Masvingo, the region in Zimbabwe where Jephias was raised.  This support amounts to between $280 to $325 per child annually, depending on whether the child is in primary or secondary school.

Zimbabwe is reeling in the aftermath of the HIV/AIDS pandemic.  As many as 1.3 million children have been orphaned. These children struggle to obtain food and clothes.  Public schools are not free, but charge tuition and require uniforms.  Therefore, without financial assistance, most children have no educational future.

Jephias makes regular visits to these children in order to foster personal relationships, to ensure that their education is progressing, and to guarantee that their basic needs are being met.

ZEEM dreams of expanding this educational sponsorship program by enabling many more students to attend school.  ZEEM believes that these children, supported and encouraged during their primary and perhaps secondary education, will grow to be faithful adult followers of Christ, serving the church and their communities. At least 20% of all contributions to ZEEM will be dedicated to the support of these at-risk children.

Meet 12-year-old Kimberly. One of five children, she lives with her unemployed single mother who is in poor health. Her oldest sibling is no longer in school because the mother could not afford her school fees. Kimberly would also have dropped out of school had ZEEM not been there to assist. Kimberly’s teacher commends her, saying that she is a trustworthy and hardworking student with great potential who just needs to be given an opportunity.

Zimbabwe

With a population of close to 17 million people,  Zimbabwe is a landlocked country on the continent of Africa, surrounded by South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique.  The main languages are Shona and Ndebele, while English is taught in the schools.

After hundreds of years with various kingdoms and governments ruling this land, it became the British colony of Southern Rhodesia in 1923.  It remained a colony of Britain until 1980 when a peace agreement was reached after 15 years of unrest and guerrilla warfare. 

 Sadly, Zimbabwe continues to be plagued by government turmoil and grave economic decline. After massive inflation hit the country in 2008 it abandoned its own currency and today does business in U.S. dollars and the South African Rand.  

HOW TO HELP

There are three important ways in which you can assist the work of ZEEM:

Pray

Pray for Jephias as he continues to teach and mentor college students, as well as our sponsored children.

Pray for the staff and students at Central Africa Christian College.

Pray for the orphaned and vulnerable children that ZEEM is already supporting

and those we are yet to be able to assist.

Share

Share the exciting and critical work of ZEEM with family and friends!

Give

Give to assist this important work!

If you wish to make a donation by CHECK, please mail it to

Zimbabwe Educational Empowerment Ministry (ZEEM)
c/o Barry Blackburn
1203 Ridgeway Road; Johnson City, TN. 37601

(If you desire your gift to be tax-deductible, please make it out to Hopwood Christian Church), and mail to the above address

Should you prefer to contribute by CREDIT CARD, go to https://www.hopwoodcc.org There click on “eGive” on the main menu and follow the directions. Under the “Choose a fund” drop-down menu, be certain to choose “Missions” and type “ZEEM” in the note area.

NOTE: All contributions to ZEEM that are directed through Hopwood Christian Church are tax deductible. Our forwarding agent at Hopwood is George Fulwider (GWhiz44@gmail.com).

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Contact Us

If you are interested in learning more about the work of ZEEM, please feel free to contact Jephias Maipi, whose contact information is listed below. If you prefer to communicate via email, simply complete the information below and submit it. Jephias or one of the members of the ZEEM board will respond to you shortly.

Jephias Maipi: jephiasmaipi@gmail.com
zeeministry@gmail.com

George Fulwider (forwarding agent in the U.S.):
GWhiz44@gmail.com