Rephat Nyarenda, a native of Zimbabwe, is passionate to see orphans find loving and secure families. His advocacy for adoption and foster parenting has taken him across his country, engaging church leaders. He strongly believes that only the church has the ultimate answer to the crisis of orphans.

Rephat himself grew up an orphan. His mother died when he was only 3 months old and his father died when he was nine years old. The years that followed were harsh for Rephat, including life-threatening experiences of poisoning and being thrown under a moving vehicle. He believes it is a miracle that he survived.

Rephat’s life took a turn for the good when a Zimbabwean couple welcomed him into their family and fostered him. Years later, Rephat felt God’s calling upon his life and enrolled at a theological college. After graduating, he went into a full time ministry, and has planted and pastored churches for the past 25 years. He also sits on a number of NGO and Ministry boards.

Today, Rephat oversees coordination and pastoral care for the Michael Project, a ministry to orphans and vulnerable children in Zimbabwe. He also provides counseling and other ministry to prisoners. He heads up a team of ministers to children who are in conflict with the law, providing ministry and counseling.

Rephat is happily married to Mavis and together they have four children. They are also foster parents and are currently in the process of adopting.