Zimbabwe is a nation rich in natural resources. For much of the twentieth century, the country’s agricultural exports fueled the region’s economy and kept neighboring nations fed, and in 2006, Zimbabwe’s Marange diamond fields became the world’s largest mineral discovery in over a century.

Yet a country so rich in natural assets has become one of the world’s poorest nations. Zimbabwe’s independent government, established in 1980, is relatively young. Corrupt land arrangements, international conflicts, rising inflation, and recurring drought have challenged the landlocked nation. As a result, Zimbabweans have emigrated to other countries in record numbers.

Pastor and Haggai leader Tomson Dube has had similar opportunities to leave, including a brief period living and studying in the United States. Yet God keeps calling him home.

As a pastor of the Victory Fellowship Church in Bulawayo and chaplain for the National University of Science and Technology, Tomson has a unique opportunity to strengthen the spiritual foundation of his country. He believes that discipling his fellow citizens is key to bringing stability and provision to the struggling country.

Tomson (left) with his family.

“We continue to tell people to hope against hope. We encourage people to be involved in their local areas and speak against corrupt officials and encourage God-fearing women and men to be involved in politics. God is faithful, and He has demonstrated that He is capable of changing our status.”

After Tomson attended the Haggai Leader Experience in 2015, he realized that even though he leads a church, the work of sharing the Gospel in his community isn’t his alone. When he returned home, he built a curriculum, based on Haggai’s program, to equip his own church members.

“As the lead pastor, I deliberately noticed from my training that I do not have to be the only one [sharing the Gospel]. I had to open that mandate to others.”

Since 2015, he has empowered 525 Christian leaders to share the Gospel using the Haggai model. He is committed to sharing the Gospel in his home country, as his own life was transformed because of another person’s willingness to tell him about Jesus.

“I was born again in March 1983, and since then I have never turned back. I am a product of someone’s efforts to teach me about Jesus. I passionately aim to preach the Good News for as long as I live.”