The Spiritual Father of Zimbabwe
I am a preacher of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Over all these years I have been in Parliament, and those years of being the Superintendent at Wesley Mission, I have never ceased to preach the Gospel and most Sundays I am in some pulpit in some church somewhere. There is real joy in preaching in churches of all denominations these days as well as in my own.
In 1956 I started preaching the Gospel of Jesus Christ as a 17-year-old HSC student. I have continued doing so every year since. Most weeks I have preached multiple sermons, and for thirty years I preached an average of nine times every week. Most years I would preach over 400 sermons before congregations, radio and television audiences. You work hard to be a preacher, in preparation as well as presentation.
My themes for the year were always chosen for my mid-week as well as Sunday services. What a privilege to proclaim the good news! It consumes the lives of Beverley and myself. Not for us working by the clock for only 60 hours a week! To proclaim the Gospel is a lifetime commitment. As Jesus said, “No one who puts his hand to the plough and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62 NIV)
One of my heroes since boyhood has been a New Zealand Churches of Christ preacher, Dr Garfield Todd. As a teenage member of Christian Endeavour, I started praying for Garfield and Grace Todd, who had been preachers in Rhodesia since 1934. I met them several times and was impressed by this huge and intelligent man (who looked like Sir Edmund Hillary.)
They worked in preaching the Gospel together for over 60 years. He had the capacity to spot young men of ability and train them. Garfield was a preacher, missionary, doctor (delivering hundreds of babies), bricklayer building schools, churches and hospitals, teacher, and politician who served as his nation’s Prime Minister, and eventually in retirement as one of his nation’s senators.
He recognized that Rhodesia had to change from a British colony to an African country during World War 2. He entered parliament in 1946. He was Prime Minister during the most turbulent era of 1953 – 1958 as he sought to lead his country to independence. He trained many of the new political leaders in Christian leadership.
Reactionary whites under Ian Smith’s illegal regime imprisoned him for five years. By 1980, the newly named Zimbabwe gained independence and Garfield was appointed a Member of the Upper House. But he differed from the Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe (whom he had taught), and was again placed under house arrest. Four years ago he tried to vote in the Presidential election but was refused by Mugabe.
When Robert Mugabe came to power in 1980 the talk was of peace and co-operation after decades of white colonial rule and a bitter civil war. He has, however, always been regarded as something of a political enigma. Raised as a Roman-Catholic, Mr. Mugabe became a committed Marxist during the guerrilla war against the Rhodesian Front government of Ian Smith.
Taking power on a wave of popular support his early political promises of reconciliation and democracy were later overtaken by a strong authoritarian streak and a deep distrust of opposition. As Mr. Mugabe strengthened his hold on power economic collapse followed. There were accusations of corruption, with government officials alleged to be lining their pockets from Congo’s rich mineral reserves while Zimbabwe’s own economy plummeted out of control. Local journalists who have tried to investigate these and other allegations against Mr. Mugabe and his family were intimidated and tortured. A brutal regime imprisoned and killed thousands of innocent people and political opponents.
Until recently, Mr. Mugabe had always been able to stifle political opposition. His Zanu-PF party still dominates what is virtually a one party state occupying 147 out of the country’s 150 parliamentary seats. But growing discontent over the country’s failing economy, with inflation and unemployment soaring to record levels, have threatened his authority, and in the 2008 elections his party lost control of the Parliament and probably the Presidential election as well. It seems as if the majority of people have voted for a new President, but the old one will not go.
In 2004, Sir Garfield and Lady Grace Todd both died at the age of 94. They were both faithful to their calling as preachers of the Gospel. I admired them greatly for all they had done for their country in the service of Jesus Christ. In 2002 I was honoured by being made a Companion of the Order of Australia. Usually only Governor Generals, Governors, Prime Ministers, Chief Judges of the High Court and a few extraordinary people have been honoured with our highest honour the nation can bestow. In England, this honour is equivalent to being elevated to the House of Lords.
In 2003, I became the recipient of the Commonwealth Government’s Centenary Medal, struck to honour those people who had made a significant contribution to our nation during the previous one hundred years since we became federated as the Commonwealth of Australia. In 2004, Beverley and I spent a week in Brighton England, with its stone beaches for the World Convention of Churches of Christ. It was our 6th World Convention. But they were spread over 52 years. In our early married years, we could not afford overseas travel. 165 countries were represented. Every day there were keynote speakers, many seminars on a dozen topics, and great evening rallies. I presented two seminars on Ministering in the Inner City, each running for 4 hours. I had two excellent groups of interested people from many countries.
One night I was greatly surprised during the evening service. It was announced that a new international citation was to be awarded each four years. This was named to honour Sir Garfield and Lady Todd, those remarkable New Zealand Missionaries to Southern Rhodesia for 72 years. They had pioneered the education system in Southern Rhodesia. I had met him at my first World Convention in Melbourne 1952. Meeting him, and other famous missionaries and church leaders, made me feel, as a thirteen-year-old boy, that I was walking with giants.
With the move for Independence, Garfield went into politics trying to move the country to a bloodless change to black power. He became Prime Minister for eight years, but the illegal coup of Ian Smith, meant his fellow whites imprisoned him for 12 years. We prayed for him during this time. Eventually with the overthrow of the Smith regime, he was released and appointed a Senator in the new Government. Unfortunately, the new Prime Minister, Robert Mugabe, was far from Christian even though he was a former student of Garfield’s.
The recipient of the Garfield Todd Citation was for a person who had served the church and the broader community of the church, politics and commerce. It was then I heard that I was the first recipient. I was absolutely speechless and unable to believe it. Beverley knew, but had kept it secret from me. The president read an outline of my ministry and I was given a standing ovation by the thousands present. It was a highlight of my life, to be honoured by my peers from around the world. Every day thereafter, I had people greeting me and wishing us well.
Back in 1952 at the World Convention, I had carried an autograph book and sought the signatures of the great and famous. Now all of those memories came flooding back, as some young boys and girls at the World Convention pressed their autograph books and Bibles into my hands, asking for my signature. I willingly signed each one, praying that each child would be as influenced as I was at my first World Convention, 52 years earlier.
The work of the preacher of the Gospel is the most challenging in the world, but it gives opportunity to impact the nation. Spiritual rebirth of individuals must always be matched with responsible social action. When the nation is in good hands such as a democratically elected Government of Australia, or when it is in cruel and devious hands like that in Zimbabwe the preacher has a message that is of greatest relevance.
Rev The Hon. Dr Gordon Moyes, A.C., M.L.C.
