Christianity is the largest religion in Mozambique, with 62% of the population in 2023. More than half of these are evangelical and Pentecostal Christians.[1]
History
Since the Portuguese colonial period in Mozambique, the Catholic Church has been the main Christian group in the country, followed by various Protestant mission churches and African Independent Churches (AICs).[2]
The American Board of Commissioners for Foreign Missions sent Protestant missionaries to the country in 1881.[3] In 1882, the Church of Valdezia/Spelonken in South Africa sent Josefa Mhalamhala to start a Presbyterian Church in Mozambique.[4] The Swiss Mission Church in South Africa also sent Rev. Paul Berthoud, who started two mission stations and a training institute in Rikatla.[5]
^Eric Morier-Genoud, “Renouveau religieux et politique au Mozambique: entre permanence, rupture et historicité”, Politique africaine, n°134, June 2014, pp.155-177
^[C:/Users/3054929/Downloads/Full-Country-Dossier-Mozambique-2023.pdf| Open Doors website]
