Sunday Mail Correspondent
REVEREND Lydia Neshangwe, of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa (UPCSA), yesterday became the first black woman to be inducted as a moderator of the denomination at a historic service held at the City Presbyterian Church in Harare.
The UPCSA is a Christian denomination modelled on the Presbyterian system of governance, with a presence in South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, the Democratic Republic of Congo and Zimbabwe. As moderator, Rev Neshangwe will lead the denomination across the region, taking over from Rev Sipho Mtetwa of South Africa.
“It is with great humility that I accept the call to serve in this new mandate,” said Rev Neshangwe.
“I have been understudying my predecessors and I am keen on maintaining momentum around the great commission of bringing as many souls to Christ as possible.”
She said, to fulfil her divine mission, the church must remain united.
“The thrust of my tenure is togetherness,” she added.
“It is about the collective and not necessarily about individual persons or leaders.
“We have a collective responsibility at all levels.
“Families are stronger together; the church is stronger together and so are nations.”
Rev Neshangwe, an educationist, left teaching to serve in the ministry on a full-time basis