Spiritual Warfare as Intervention: An Ethnographic Analysis of Johane Masowe Chishanu Church in Combating Drug Abuse in Zimbabwe

Abstract

In Zimbabwe's escalating drug abuse crisis, the Johane Masowe Chishanu Church (JMCC) has emerged as a significant interventionist force. While existing scholarship predominantly focuses on mainline churches, JMCC's distinct practices remain understudied. This study examines the spiritual methods JMCC employs to combat drug abuse and their perceived effectiveness. Findings from 12 months of ethnographic fieldwork, including unstructured interviews and observation, revealed that JMCC provides both prevention and treatment for drug-related problems. Its spiritual warfare approach, which emphasizes prayer, intercession, prophecy, and spiritual discipleship, was found to be effective in fostering recovery and transforming lives. Drawing on Foucault's framework of panoptic surveillance, Mignolo's decolonial theory, and Mbembe's necropolitical theory, this research analyzes JMCC's distinct approach to prevention and rehabilitation. The study concludes that JMCC offers accessible, culturally relevant, and non-commercial support. The findings highlight the potential of African Initiated Churches (AICs) to inform public health strategies in Zimbabwe and suggest the value of formally integrating context specific spiritual approaches into a decolonized public health framework