New churches to build
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Kukhany'Okusha Zion Church in Swaziland
The Kukhany'Okusha Zion Church has been a partner church with Global Ministries since 1982. The Zionist Church in Southern Africa was founded in the late 1800's in Othaka, South Africa, by a Dutch Reformed missionary, Mr. LeRoux, and an indigenous leader, Reverend Daniel Nkonyane. In 1913, the Zionist Church first arrived in Swaziland at Embikwakhe, a location next to the city of Matsapha. During the next 70 years, congregations in South Africa and Swaziland maintained similar customs and gathered annually to celebrate Easter together. In 1983 the Kukhany'Okusha branch of the Zionist Church of Swaziland was established under the leadership of Bishop A. M. Dlamini, the founding and present presiding bishop. In English, Kukhany'Okusha means "new light."
Today, the Kukhany'Okusha Zion Church has thirty-six congregations and 7000 members throughout Swaziland and South Africa. They have recently adopted a plan for operational and administrative reforms, which emphasizes four key performance areas that will guide them in the future. They are: 1) Spiritual growth for the church; 2) Growth in church membership; 3) Financial and material sustenance; and 4) Love and care for others. They are actively involved in church building projects, preschool education, feeding programs, and extensive HIV/AIDS education programs within congregations. The Kukhany'Okusha Zion Church is a member of the Council of Churches of Swaziland (the only Zionist Church that holds membership), the All Africa Conference of Churches, and the Organization of African Indigenous Churches.
Swaziland (population 1,000,000) is a monarchy and its traditional culture is very important. Currently the country is struggling to balance its respect for the monarchy with the development of democracy, especially through the existence of trade unions. The current unemployment rate in Swaziland is 40 percent, which is reflected within the membership of the Kukhany'Okusha Zion Church. Subsequently, the church has had to rely heavily on partners in the United States for financial support. The church is constantly trying to develop ways in which to be more financially independent. Since its beginnings, the Kukhany'Okusha Zion Church is one that serves the poor communities where it is located. Most of the congregations are in rural areas that are especially deprived. It is a growing church and needs resources to help newly formed congregations build church buildings. These new churches generally are in rural areas. The construction is of cement blocks with corrugated zinc roofs. The roof is the most expensive part of any church building, costing approximately $500-$800. A new, modest-sized rural church may be built for $5,000-$7,000 in central Swaziland will cover all but some of the terminations such as interior painting, doors, or windows, which will be funded locally.
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