A New Approach to Countering the Prosperity Gospel in Southern Africa
Seven years ago, Tommie van der Walt approached his church elders with an unconventional idea. He explained that his goal was to equip pastors—especially those serving in poor and resource-challenged areas—by using printed books. While this might have seemed like the start of a promising plan, challenges lay ahead. Africa, a continent influenced deeply by both syncretism and the prosperity gospel, clearly needed well-trained pastors. Yet delivering books across vast distances proved expensive and slow, and with oral traditions and lower literacy levels, many texts risked remaining untouched.
Moreover, influential figures in other regions had already adopted a strategy of importing or printing materials. Van der Walt pointed out that leaders such as popular televangelists invest heavily so that their literature reaches viewers and readers, securing financial support in return. Over the past decade, the spread of prosperity gospel teachings has only intensified, a trend pastor Conrad Mbewe attributes partially to the scarcity of countering resources.
In response, van der Walt launched an antidote in 2018. His Imprint ministry has since produced nearly 60 gospel-centered books—including works by local authors—which are now being circulated among a network of 800 pastors across 17 countries. His initiative has additionally trained 10 pastors via internships and another 150 through specialized workshops conducted in partnership with a church in Johannesburg.
Van der Walt has witnessed remarkable changes. Pastors previously unsaved have embraced the faith; those known for harsh practices are now leading with genuine care; and churches, once struggling financially, are beginning to flourish. This transformation is echoed by other ministry leaders around the world who note a growing movement in gospel-centered publishing. From Colombia to Canada, Malaysia to France, and even Austria, traditional church publishing is being revitalized, with the number of dedicated publishers almost doubling in recent years. These new initiatives, driven not by profit but by a passion for spreading truth, testify to a divine movement unfolding globally.
Five Lives of Tommie van der Walt
Van der Walt, a South African native, describes his personal journey as having lived several distinct lives. From a compliant child to a rebellious youth, from a brief spell on an English cricket team to a stint working as a security guard at Wimbledon, his life took an unexpected turn when he became a bodyguard for celebrities. Stationed at a luxury hotel in London, he was responsible for the safety of well-known figures, a role that exposed him to the glamorous yet isolating side of fame.
Despite the allure, that high-profile lifestyle proved to be lonely and unsatisfying, marked by excessive partying and temporary thrills. When his visa expired, van der Walt returned to South Africa, taking on odd jobs and reconnecting with old friends. A harrowing car accident involving close companions led him to frequent hospital visits—a time during which his friends, bolstered by their own faith, shared the gospel with him. This persistent exposure to Scripture, coupled with his mother’s guidance, eventually opened his heart to God.
Embracing a newfound zeal, van der Walt transitioned from a life chasing worldly success to one dedicated to spiritual transformation. Influenced by works from authors like Greg Gilbert and R. C. Sproul, and bolstered by exposure to gospel-centered teaching videos, he found a community of believers who firmly rooted themselves in biblical truth. After earning a diploma in architecture and project management and working on various construction projects, he married a pastor’s daughter and joined her church’s staff as a mission intern. His renewed purpose was now to serve those most in need—the impoverished and overlooked communities.
India and the Birth of Imprint
In 2016, van der Walt’s church sent him to India to start a new congregation. He later joked that ministry there was largely about survival, with only a modest portion dedicated to spiritual work. In India, even without a seminary degree or previous leadership experience, he focused on training local men to lead churches. The approach involved self-directed learning—researching answers to their questions and then engaging in discussions—and providing key gospel texts to church leaders to stimulate dialogue.
After two years, mounting governmental pressure forced his family out of India. Back in South Africa, while both church planting and revitalization efforts fell short, van der Walt’s prayerful reflection led him to approach his elders once again, this time with a proposal tailored to the local context. He explained that importing gospel books was financially unsustainable in South Africa, given the high costs compared to other regions. His vision was to print his own materials paired with in-person pastoral training, specifically to serve underresourced ministers.
The Journey of Sipho Mfusi
Sipho Mfusi grew up within the African Zionist church, the largest group among South Africa’s professing Christians. In his community, cultural practices often took precedence over biblical directives, as seen in the acceptance of practices like polygamy and ancestor worship. However, a personal tragedy in 2002—the loss of his young wife to cancer—shattered these long-held beliefs and left him questioning the promises of his faith.
After relocating to Sydney for work in the airline industry, Mfusi’s life took an unexpected course. Persuaded by his second wife to explore a local church, he found himself deeply moved by a sermon on the transformative power of trusting in Christ. The message that Christ’s righteousness could be imputed to believers in an instant resonated powerfully with him, leading him to attend church regularly until, after 18 months, he and his wife embraced Christianity fully.
As Mfusi grew in understanding, his appetite for reading widened beyond just the Bible. Concerned about the prospect of falling under the sway of prosperity gospel preachers in the United States, he sought guidance from a trusted mentor, which eventually led him to a church renowned for its commitment to sound doctrine. After years of further study and ministry experience in Virginia, Mfusi earned a theological degree and returned to his hometown to begin his own ministry—this is where he crossed paths with van der Walt.
An Unlikely Alliance
Although their backgrounds are markedly different, van der Walt and Mfusi found common ground through their shared commitment to biblical truth and the empowerment of marginalized communities. Mfusi, a native Zulu whose family history was deeply entangled with the traumas of apartheid, quickly recognized van der Walt’s sincere interest in reaching out to underresourced, predominantly Black communities. Their connection developed naturally, and Mfusi soon embraced van der Walt’s vision for Imprint.
During his early years in ministry, Mfusi served in the church where he was raised. He preached with a focus on sound biblical exposition, initiated Bible studies, and even translated key ecclesiastical works into Zulu. Over time, however, his insistence on discussing Jesus rather than traditional cultural practices led to tensions within his original community. When church leaders ultimately rejected his new approach, Mfusi boldly planted a new congregation with many of his former members. Recognizing the importance of accessible resources, he was quick to see the need for well-crafted theological books to guide his flock.
Bringing the Word to the People in Zulu
Since 2018, van der Walt, Mfusi, and their colleagues at Imprint have published over 60 books in South Africa. These works are distributed through conferences and church networks, reaching hundreds of thousands of pastors—even those far removed from traditional bookstores. Recognizing the linguistic barriers that persist in local communities, Imprint has also started translating these resources into indigenous languages. For instance, whereas most prosperity gospel literature is available only in English, Imprint now offers several titles in Zulu.
Among the translated works are devotional and teaching materials by well-known authors. One story recounts how a conference attendee, upon receiving a book in Zulu for the first time, was visibly moved by having access to Scripture in his native language. In another instance, the distribution of Bibles at a gathering led to an impromptu celebration in Zulu—a powerful affirmation of the faith resonating deep within the community.
Van der Walt is encouraged by the progress made in providing affordable, sound theological resources in English, Zulu, and Afrikaans. The recent publication of a book by a local author marks an exciting milestone, even as he remains mindful of the broader challenges facing communities with low literacy and educational rates across sub-Saharan Africa.
The journey is gradual. Mfusi, for instance, has implemented reading practices in his congregation, guiding members sentence by sentence through theological works. Though progress may seem slow—having been on chapter 10 of a book they started several years ago—this careful, inclusive approach is bearing fruit. The congregation’s disciplined study has even paved the way for necessary acts of church discipline, affirming the community’s commitment to biblical standards.
A Global Movement Takes Shape
The work undertaken by van der Walt and Imprint is part of a broader, worldwide trend. Across continents—from Poland to Ethiopia, and Kenya with its own innovative training programs—the impact of gospel-centered books and accompanying training materials is palpable. These resources are reshaping how churches conduct worship, preach, and disciple their members, leading to healthier and more vibrant congregations.
The remarkable success of such initiatives underscores a universal truth: when the Word of God is made accessible and contextualized, it transforms lives and communities. As local pastors gain the tools to nurture their congregations, churches continue to grow, testifying to the enduring power of the gospel and the movement it has sparked around the world.
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