About · Who we are
From a living room to the nations.
One big church that meets in many places.
Our story
It started with four people.
Word of Life International Ministries was started in November 1990 in the living room of Dr and Mrs Shana.
The number in attendance on that first day was an astounding 4 people! This was made up of Dr and Mrs Shana, their two-year-old daughter Nicolle and their housekeeper.
By the grace of God that number has since grown to thousands of members in the founding city of Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, and many thousands more all over the world — today in 48 Word of Life churches across 6 nations, and still growing. Membership figures to be confirmed
Our faith
We believe
- 01
We believe that God never intended for mankind to live in a world filled with so much uncertainty, fear, evil and suffering.Genesis 1:26–31 · John 10:10
- 02
We believe that the worsening conditions of life on earth are the result of the condition of man’s heart and soul, and when mankind lives without a connection to God he lives without a moral and reliable compass to life.John 3:19 · Jeremiah 17:9 · Romans 1:18–31
- 03
We believe that the depravity of the heart and soul of mankind is a result of his rebellion against God.John 3:19
- 04
We believe that because of this rebellion the entire human race is lost in selfishness, wickedness and slavery to evil, and can only live a life of true freedom, peace and fullness by returning to God and believing and receiving Jesus Christ as the way, the truth and the life.Romans 5:12 · Romans 10:9 · Ephesians 2:8–9 · Titus 3:5
- 05
We believe that only the transforming grace and power of God through the Lord Jesus Christ can save and change the heart and soul of mankind.1 Timothy 1:15 · Luke 19:10 · Acts 2:21
- 06
We believe that God loved mankind so much, even though mankind had rebelled, that God offered Himself through His Son Jesus Christ to pay the ultimate price to bring mankind back to God and give him a chance for a new beginning, a new life.John 3:16 · Romans 5:1–11 · 2 Corinthians 5:19
- 07
We believe that like many others in this Church and in the world, you too can experience this life, the God kind of life — a life filled with certainty in an uncertain world, peace in a troubled world, love in a world tormented by hate, and purpose in a world that promises so much but delivers emptiness.John 10:10 · John 16:33 · 2 Timothy 1:7 · Romans 8:28
- 08
We believe that you will choose life as God intended it to be, and that you will grow in this life through reading God’s Word, talking to Him in prayer and becoming stronger as you join the family of believers.
Life in fullness, everywhere
Every member, a minister.
At Word of Life we believe every member of the church must affect the sphere of the community that they live in, work in and interact with. Every person has a community and a world that the pulpit cannot effectively reach.
“Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to every person.” Mark 16:15
Every member has a God-given responsibility of taking the whole Gospel to the whole world — one individual and one community at a time.
