The Church of God (Seventh Day) was established in 1858 by followers of Christ in western Michigan, USA, who were committed to the restoration of God's Church and the reliability of Scripture.
The church's values were influenced by the 16th-century reformers and aimed to avoid the historical mishandling of scripture seen in the Roman church.
In 1863, a church in Marion, Iowa, joined with the Michigan group, sharing similar beliefs. They spread the gospel through the "Hope of Israel" magazine, later renamed the "Bible Advocate,"
which continues to be published today, promoting Bible-based teachings, the second coming of Christ, and the observance of the seventh-day Sabbath. The Church of God (Seventh Day) expanded from the United States and Canada to South America,
with its first African mission in Nigeria in 1936, followed by Kenya.
In Zimbabwe, the church's presence began in 1991 through Bible studies and fellowship groups inspired by the "Bible Advocate" magazine and gospel tracts. In 2008, the church's International Ministerial Congress (IMC) divided the world into seven zones for evangelistic purposes.
The first missionaries arrived in Zimbabwe in May 2013, revitalizing the 1990s study group into a formal fellowship. Zimbabwe participated in its first All Africa Convention in Nigeria in December 2013 and the IMC Congress in Argentina in November 2016, where it was officially admitted as a member.
Today, the Church of God (Seventh Day) has a presence in over 60 countries. Each national church is autonomous and considered a sister conference. In November 2023, in Port Harcourt, Nigeria, the global church adopted the CHURCH OF GOD (Seventh Day) International Federation to coordinate international evangelism and maintain doctrinal unity. It also appears online at baonline.org.
For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but in order that the world might be saved through him.
John 3:16-17 ESV
Our Identity in Christ.
Christ Centred
We believe that Christ is the head of the church. Therefore, we will exalt the Lord Jesus Christ to the highest in our worship, teaching, preaching, and ministry. He is the author of our salvation and the focus of our faith. Scripture says putting Him at the center of all we do pleases the Father.
Spirit Formed
We desire to be a church with increasing passion to experience the fullness of the Holy Spirit, expressed in the way we live and do ministry, individually and corporately.
Sabbath Celebrating
We believe that being fully Christ centered and worshipping on the Sabbath are not in conflict. The Sabbath has never been more relevant than it is in today’s world, filled with weary people.
Bible Based
We believe that Bible-based teaching and preaching honor God and edify people. We also believe that our ministry should reflect the highest commitment to the integrity of interpreting biblical truth and applying it.
Distinct Yet Inclusive
We believe that the kingdom of God extends beyond our denomination, that we are only a small part of the body of Christ, and that we have a legitimate place within, and responsibility to, the rest of the Christian community.
Passionate in Worship
We believe that worship is a primary means by which we express our love for the Lord and that it should be a priority of the church. Spiritual passion in worshipping the Lord agrees with Scripture and demonstrates our deepening relationship with Him.
Compassionate in Worship
We believe that genuine love for the Lord will be transformed into ministry to others. Reaching out to the world through compassionate service honors the Lord and points people to Him.
Enganing in Witness
We believe that lost people matter to God, that the church has a mandate to evangelize, that each member has a role in that process, and that world conditions call us to be aggressive about winning the lost.
United in Fellowship
We believe that a strong commitment to Christ calls us to a strong commitment to His church body. Building up the church through fellowship and through understanding, developing, and exercising our spiritual gifts is important.
Committed to Discipleship
We believe that the goal of faith is to be conformed to the image of Christ, which happens best through the process of mentoring and discipleship. A healthy church is the result of the healthy spiritual development of individual believers.