We Called Him Whirlwind

Book excerpt: This informative biography of a German missionary pastor, Richard Ferdinard Zanner, is told by Hermann and Bertha Mvula whose parents served with Dr Zanner in Africa from 1980 to his retirement in 2000. The authors begin with the genesis of the Church of the Nazarene from the matrix of the 19th century Holiness Movement in the USA, its doctrines and practices, and its growth into 44 countries on the African continent. They discuss Zanner's call to Africa and his family's involment in church planting. growth, and development of the church in Africa. This is not merely a personal story. There is discussion of the Zanner's 20 years of ministry in Africa and the church growth lessons that can be learned in pursuit of sustainable church growth and development for the Church of the Nazarene in Africa. This is worthwhile reading for all those that are interested in the growth of the Church in the global South and what makes for meaningful global partnership for the expansion of God's kingdom.