John or Johane Marange (also Johane Marange; 1912–1963) was a Zimbabwean apostolic leader, prophet, and founder of the
Apostles of Johane Marange
Apostles of Johane Marange is an African Initiated Church movement that was started by Johane Marange (1912–1963) in Southern Rhodesia in 1932. The "Apostolic Church of John Marange" (as it is officially called) numbers over 300,000 adherents in ...
.
Early life
He was born Muchabaya Momberume near Bondwe Mountain in the
Marange
The Marange diamond fields are an area of widespread small-scale diamond production in Chiadzwa, Mutare District, Zimbabwe. 'Although estimates of the reserves contained in this area vary wildly, some have suggested that it could be home to one ...
Tribal Trustland of
Southern Rhodesia
Southern Rhodesia was a self-governing British Crown colony in Southern Africa, established in 1923 and consisting of British South Africa Company (BSAC) territories lying south of the Zambezi River. The region was informally known as South ...
in 1912. He had brothers named Anorodi and Konoriyo. When he was 20, he established John Marange Apostle Church starting in Marange area, then the rest of colonial Rhodesia and into neighbouring countries.
Ministry
In 1932, when Marange was 20, he returned from journeys in the bush announcing a series of visions and encounters with
Jesus Christ
Jesus (AD 30 or 33), also referred to as Jesus Christ, Jesus of Nazareth, and many Names and titles of Jesus in the New Testament, other names and titles, was a 1st-century Jewish preacher and religious leader. He is the Jesus in Chris ...
, consequently becoming a Holy Spirit guided itinerant preacher bearing the name Johane, with a mission to establish a new African church. In his visions he was decreed to baptize people and observe the aturdaySabbath (Sabata In Shona). Marange founded the largest independent church in Central Africa.Dr. Bertram Melbourne, "Acts 1:8 and the Gospel in Africa" in 2000 Years of
Christianity
Christianity is an Abrahamic monotheistic religion, which states that Jesus in Christianity, Jesus is the Son of God (Christianity), Son of God and Resurrection of Jesus, rose from the dead after his Crucifixion of Jesus, crucifixion, whose ...
in
Africa
Africa is the world's second-largest and second-most populous continent after Asia. At about 30.3 million km2 (11.7 million square miles) including adjacent islands, it covers 20% of Earth's land area and 6% of its total surfac ...
, edited by Dr. Emory Tolbert, published by The Sabbath in Africa Study Group, page 26. The main gathering of the church occurred at Passover feast named PASKA at Marange's village, lasting for seventeen days, and ending with communion.