Evangelism and Church planting was seen as the most important task of the church. It was the channel by which the NBC churches would work together to reach our nation with the gospel. It also meant reaching even all countries beyond our borders. NBC recognized the great commission as the single most important task given by the Lord Jesus Christ and have since taken evangelism and church planting to fulfill it.

The department was manned by the Evangelism Board comprising five members and headed by the Evangelism and Church Planting Coordinator. This department is the outreach arm. This exercise of church planting necessitated the need of training in these new churches and all the churches. Thus the Training Department was established.

 

The Training Department was firmly established with the coming of Rev Philip and Jill Igoe form UK. The missionary couple was responsible for drawing up a curriculum and the writing of some modules for use during the training. They would also move from area to area where NBC churches were identifying training needs and also conducting the training. Other pastors in the Convention would assist in the training.

From this exercise the NBC was able to develop a portable Bible school using the BTCP manuals serving as our study guides. As nationals they had also to develop some courses that were not covered in the BTCP manuals (Church growth, church planting, Spiritual warfare etc.), to give the pastors a balanced approach to ministry.

The Domboshawa Theological College was affiliated to then to the University of Zimbabwe. Rev Mold Fatira was then seconded to the College as a teacher with his support coming from BMS through the NBC.

With this development the Training Department would continue with the in-service seminars for pastors and training needs in NBC churches. They would continue to administer the scholarship fund.

For those who had finished the BTCP course, were further enrolled to do a diploma with Nehemiah Bible Institute. In pursuit of NBC aims and objectives an NBC Strategic Plan was developed being coordinated by the Training Department. It was done as a practical guide for encouragement and facilitation of the Lord's work. It was also a measurement for evaluating our progress as NBC. The implementation of it was NBC's obedient response to God's missionary mandate to the church. This plan embodied the vision and aspirations of the NBC. It is noteworthy to mention that planning for the currently constantly shifting environment brings its own challenges. The Strategic Plan enabled the NBC to critically look at supporting forces that would enable NBC to achieve its objective as well as the constraining forces that would make it difficult to achieve the same objectives. This planning process was not an event but it was a process.

Reaching out to the Lost with the Holistic Gospel of Jesus Christ, Maturing and Multiplying Believers (Men, Women, Youth and Children) through Leadership Development, Church Planting and Mobilization of Resources (Physical, financially and Human).

The Aid and Development department began in 1992. It was in 1992 when there was a severe nationwide drought which resulted in NBC together with other Baptist Convention/Union/Association receiving food aid from the Baptist World Alliance. This was a relief exercise. After the termination of the Relief Aid Program, it was resolved to set up an aid and development office which was to work with sister churches in the NBC in assisting them to meet the total man's needs (Holistic ministry). This was first coordinated by Rev A Nyathi.

At this point the NBC faced three major challenges that had to do with human resources, financial resources and physical resources. The human resources were in terms of finding staff to man the work. This task was to be overcome by finding suitable personnel. During the humble beginning NBC had Sister Sally Chademana as a Volunteer Coordinator.

In 1993 BWA seconded Steve Seymour, a developmental specialist to come to Zimbabwe to work with the four Baptist denominations. With his coming a capacity building programme for each denomination was initiated. This resulted in NBC having Philip Jambaya becoming the first full time development officer on a salary with Miss Agnes Handa as secretary.

BMS came to NBC's plight financially through the capacity building programme which they funded and enabled the desk to kick start. Grants were given for the Loan Revolving Fund and the One Up Business Training. This was the core programme of the NBC's Aid and Development work.

In terms of physical resources, BMS also gave the NBC a to buy a vehicle for the
Developmental officer and also some office equipment, staff support and office rentals. The desk grew as they were able to do many diversifications (opening up a school after receiving some tools from UK, Bore hole drilling, Relief, etc.)

As the NBC began to grow there was a need to establish some programs for program organizations. At its first annual Convention in 1990 which was held at Mzilikazi Baptist Church, these were set. From this Annual Convention, the Youth Department was created together with Baptist Men's Fellowship and Baptist Women’s ministries. These program organizations have since been meeting mostly at their annual conferences. Occasionally they do some of their activities in between their annual conferences. Each program organization elects its committee to run its affairs.

The NBC felt it was in order to separate the business session and have the spiritual conference on its own. The annual conferences were held during the Heroes Holidays. These were held for inspiration, education and fellowship. It is a time as people gather as NBC family for worship. It is a time when NBC sharpens their vision together as they seek to make it clearer than ever before.

 

 

This department is responsible for coordinating the prayer needs of the whole ministry. It is headed by a prayer coordinator.