Kimbanguist

Kimbanguist

The Kimbanguist church is the largest independent church in Africa. Among the African churches it was the first to be admitted to the world council of churches in 1969. The church has its beginnings in April of 1921 when Simon Kimbanguist started a mass movement of miraculous healing and Biblical teachings in Africa. Like the history of many churches, this church faced persecution and mass deportation. However, the church not only persevered but spread through central Africa. Its worship is Baptist in form and there is a strong rejection of violence, polygamy, magic, witchcraft, alcohol, tobacco and dancing. The institution of communion was not introduced to the Kimbanguist church until 1971. [BM] {ED}