Church and Development: - A Case Study of the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) in Zimbabwe
Morris Mlambo

Abstract
This article cross-examines the Adventist Development and Relief Agency (ADRA) role in Zimbabwe. Notwithstanding the uncountable documented works on religion and development, there has been a preliminary study conducted to assess the contribution of ADRA Zimbabwe in advancing development. The available leaflets depict the Adventist church as very conservative in its fundamental beliefs and strongly opposed any activity to create and support a partnership between the church and the state. This study aims to determine the role of ADRA of the Seventh-day Adventist (SDA) Church, particularly in Zimbabwe.It evaluates the theology and philosophy of the SDA Church and the underpinnings factors that may thwart its participation in development. The research supposition tested is to see the justification of ADRA Zimbabwe in development. Since the registration of ADRA Zimbabwe in 1980 as a welfare organization, ADRA's technical areas have included food security, health, agriculture, economic growth, gender empowerment, and Education.Development issues can no longer be placed at the margins while Zimbabweans continue with business as usual. The exercise is briefly a historical-theological exploration of the contribution of ADRA to development in Zimbabwe. Religion has been ignored in studies on development in Africa (Chitando, Gunda, and Togarasei 2020: 20), 20. This paper seeks to evaluate the progressive roles of religion in development. This task explores the worth contribution of ADRA and how they form part of the SDA's historical and theological account of how it has dealt with religion and development in Zimbabwe.

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