PL le Roux, Dutch Reformed missionary : Zionist preacher and leader of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa, and the origin of some of the African Independent Churches in Southern Africa

Abstract

African Independent Churches in Southern Africa consist of two major categories, Zionist and Ethiopian churches, with a third minor category of Messianic churches. Other researchers prefer to make a distinction between a religion of the Book and a religion of the Spirit, these churches varying along a continuum between the two. This article focuses on the Zionist churches and the role played by Pieter L Le Roux in the establishment of a segment of these groups and churches. Le Roux was, initially, a missionary for the Dutch Reformed Church (DRC) before joining the Zionist movement initiated by John Alexander Dowie from America. Later he joined the Pentecostal movement of John G Lake and Thomas Hezmalhalch. His involvement with black leaders led to the establishment of a conglomeration of groups from both Zionist and Pentecostal (or ‘Apostolic’) backgrounds.