Christianity in Botswana

More than 70% of the population of Botswana is Christian. Most are members of the Anglican, United
Congregational Church of Southern Africa, the Methodist Church of Southern Africa, and African
independent churches. Anglicans are part of the Church of the Province of Central Africa. The Roman
Catholic Church includes about 5% of the nation's population.

The number of Pentecostal churches has been rising in the 21st century. Churchgoers participate in night
prayers, evangelism and crusades. Midweek Bible study services are conducted in some churches. In these
meetings, prayers are offered for the church, members, community, and leaders in the nation. Churches in
Botswana include Pentecostal Protestant Church, Assemblies of God, Apostolic Faith Mission, Eloyi
Christian Church, Pentecostal Holiness Church, Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana, Good News
Ministries, Christ Embassy, Bible Life Ministries, Victory International Centre (VIC), Royal Assembly
Ministries Int’l, First Love Church, and Winners Chapel International. The Eastern Orthodox Church and
Serbian Orthodox Church[1] are present. Many of the churches are members of the Botswana Council of
Churches.

The churches normally meet occasionally to worship together under the name Evangelical Fellowship of
Botswana. This body is like an organization of churches and it is the voice of the church.

History
One of the first missionaries to bring the gospel to Botswana was David Livingstone.

Major denominations
According to the country’s 2011 census, 79% of the population are members of Christian groups,[2]
typically as Anglicans, Methodists, or as members of the United Congregational Church of Southern
Africa.

A survey identified the distribution among these groups as 66% Protestant, 7% Roman Catholics and 1%
Other.

Catholic Church

The Catholic Church in Botswana is part of the worldwide Catholic Church, under the spiritual leadership
of the Pope in the Vatican City. Catholics represent about 5–6% of the total population.[3]

Initially Catholic missionaries were not allowed in Botswana by native tribes at the urging of Protestant
missionaries who arrived first.[3] Missionaries began to work in Botswana in 1928, and were noted for
setting up schools and clinics.[3] In 2006 the church in Francistown started a program to treat refugees
infected with AIDS with anti retro viral therapy.[4] As of 2011 there were thirteen seminarians preparing for
the priesthood in Botswana.[3]
The church in Botswana is organised into the Diocese of Gaborone, which serves the southern portion of
the country, and the Diocese of Francistown, which serves the faithful of northern communities.

Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

The first branch was organised in 1991 with fewer than 100 members. As of 2022, there were 4,031
members in 16 congregations in Botswana.[5]

Dutch Reformed Church

The Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana was founded by Swiss missionaries led by the Rev. Henri
Gronin begun working in 1863 among the tribe Bakgatla, Kgafela in Saulsport and Rustenburg in South
Africa. In 1870 part of the tribe moved north to Botswana and the missionaries followed them. The great
chief was baptised and most of the tribe followed him. In 1966 when Botswana become independent, a
Synod of the Reformed Church was formed. In the 1970s the church gained independence. The church in
the following years expanded to Basarwa, Bakalanga and Bakgatla.[6]

The denomination has 6,000 members and 13 parishes with 50 house fellowships in 2 presbyteries and one
Synod. The 14 churches are in : Muchudi, Muchudi East, Muchudi West, Sikwane, Gaborone, Tlokweng,
Lobatse, Kgalagadi, Ghanzi, Maun, Makaleng, Selebi Phikwe, Boseja (Mochudi).[7]

The church subscribe the Reformed confessions:

Apostles Creed
Nicene Creed
Canons of Dort
Heidelberg Catechism.[6]

The church is member of the World Communion of Reformed Churches.[8] It is also a member of the
Botswana Council of Churches.

Evangelical Lutheran Church

The Evangelical Lutheran Church in Botswana is an Evangelical Lutheran church. It has a membership of
22,000, and has been a member of the Lutheran World Federation since 1986. It is also affiliated with its
regional expression, the Lutheran Communion in Southern Africa.[9] The church's head is Bishop Mothusi
Letlhage. It is a member of the Botswana Council of Churches.

Youth programs
While children were treated as small adults during the colonial era, the 1800s brought a wave of Sunday
school programs (Protestants) and parochial schools (Catholics) specifically for that young population. By
the late 1800s, over half of Botswana's young members were attending elementary schools run by local
parishes.

Beliefs and attitudes

19 percent of Botswana Christians: believe in salvation through Jesus Christ, attend church
regularly, study the Bible, invest in personal faith development through a church community,
accept church leadership positions, and believe they are obligated to evangelize to others.
20 percent are Professing Christians. These persons are also committed to "accepting
Christ as Savior and Lord" with an emphasis on personal spirituality over organized religion.
24 percent are Liturgical Christians, predominantly Lutheran and Roman Catholic. They are
regular churchgoers, exhibit a high level of spiritual activity, and recognize the authority of
the church.
16 percent are Private Christians. They own a Bible, but rarely read it. Only about one-third
attend church. They believe in God and good works, but not necessarily within a church
context. This was the largest and youngest segment. Almost none are church leaders.
21 percent are Cultural Christians. They identify as Christians, yet they do not view Jesus as
essential to salvation, exhibiting minimal religious behaviors and attitudes favoring a
universality theology.

Conversion

A study from 2015 estimated that about 100 Botswana Muslims convert to Christianity each year, most of
whom belong to an evangelical or Pentecostal community.[10] It has been reported that conversion into
Christianity is significantly increasing among East Asians.

Education
The majority of Botswana Christians attend co-educational public schools, mostly government operated.
The Christian schools were built by churches such as Moeding College for the United Congregational
Church of Southern Africa, and St. Joseph's College (established by the Roman Catholic Church).[11]
Although the schools are Christian schools, Botswana's government participates in their development,
related infrastructure, and hiring practices (particularly in hiring teachers).

Media
Every week day public channel BTV broadcasts short religious programs.

See also
Christianity portal

History portal

Religion in Botswana
 Islam in Botswana

References
1. "St. Sava Serbian Orthodox Church, Gaborone, Botswana" (https://orthodox-world.org/en/i/2
7430/botswana/south-east/gaborone/church/st.-sava-serbian-orthodox-church). World
Orthodox Directory. Archived (https://web.archive.org/web/20230823113506/https://orthodox
-world.org/en/i/27430/botswana/south-east/gaborone/church/st.-sava-serbian-orthodox-chur
ch) from the original on 2023-08-23. Retrieved 2023-08-23.
2. US State Dept 2022 report (https://www.state.gov/reports/2022-report-on-international-religio
us-freedom/botswana)
3. Zenit Editorial Staff (2011-05-30). "Botswana's Bishop Valentine and His Big Heart" (http://w
ww.zenit.org/en/articles/botswana-s-bishop-valentine-and-his-big-heart). Zenit News
Agency. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
4. CNA Editorial Staff (2006-06-28). "Catholic Church helps refugees with AIDS in Botswana"
(http://www.catholicnewsagency.com/news/catholic_church_helps_refugees_with_aids_in_
botswana/). Catholic News Agency. Retrieved 2013-02-22.
5. "Facts and Statistics: Statistics by Country: Botswana" (https://newsroom.churchofjesuschris
t.org/facts-and-statistics/country/botswana), Newsroom, LDS Church
6. Johannes a Lasco Library. "Address data base of Reformed churches and institutions" (htt
p://www.reformiert-online.net/adressen/detail.php?id=1271&lg=eng). Reformiert-online.net.
Retrieved 2013-08-18.
7. "Dutch Reformed Church In Botswana (Synod Office) (Mochudi, Botswana)" (http://www.loca
lbotswana.com/company/9986/DUTCH_REFORMED_CHURCH_IN_BOTSWANA_SYNO
D_OFFICE). Localbotswana.com. 2013-08-06. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
8. "World Communion of Reformed Churches - WCRC | Bringing together 80 million Reformed
Christians worldwide" (http://www.wcrc.ch). Wcrc.ch. Retrieved 2013-08-18.
9. "Lutheran World" (https://web.archive.org/web/20110811223124/http://www.lutheranworld.or
g/Directory/afr/EvLuthCchinBotswana-EN.html). Archived from the original (http://www.luther
anworld.org/Directory/afr/EvLuthCchinBotswana-EN.html) on 2011-08-11. Retrieved
2012-07-15.
10. "Believers in Christ from a Muslim Background: A Global Census" (https://www.academia.ed
u/16338087/Believers_in_Christ_from_a_Muslim_Background_A_Global_Census).
www.academia.edu. Retrieved 2016-06-17.
11. "ST JOSEPH'S COLLEGE" (http://www.localbotswana.com/company/12397/ST_JOSEPHS
_COLLEGE). LocalBotswana. Retrieved 2016-06-17.

Further reading
Balmer, Randall. The Encyclopedia of Evangelicalism (2002) excerpt and text search (http
s://www.amazon.com/Encyclopedia-Evangelicalism-Randall-Herbert-Balmer/dp/066422409
1/)

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