Where It All Began
The Nutt Family
Ziden’s parents were Ziden and Fern Nutt. They raised their family in Gary, Indiana.
Ziden committed his life to mission work in Africa at Christian Service Camp at 11.
His mother hated missing church while she was in the hospital. At age 15, Ziden borrowed a wire recorder, recorded the church service, and brought it to her. This was his first effort to use technology to strengthen the church.
Preacher Don Hargrave was a great example and encourager to Ziden.
As a junior in high school, Ziden and others from his church wanted to share the gospel with others in their city, so they worked together to build a chapel on wheels. God blessed their efforts and helped them plant a new church.
Ziden is pictured between his parents with his brother Howard, sister Helen, and brother-in-law Tom Carr. Ziden left Indiana to attend Lincoln Bible Institute (later Lincoln Christian University) in Illinois. He wanted to take more missions classes, so he transferred to Ozark Bible College where he met Helen Forkner. The second image is Ziden's senior picture at Ozark Bible College.
Helen Forkner Nutt grew up on a farm near Nevada, Missouri. The second image is her parents, Marvin and Gladys Forkner. Helen sold her clarinet for tuition and worked her way through Ozark Bible College. She was also considering mission work in Africa.
Helen and Ziden married on May 30, 1958.
Africa
The Nutts packed their belongings in barrels and sailed to Africa with one-year-old Karolyn in 1961.
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In August 1962, the Nutt family grew to four with the birth of Thomas Nutt.
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Ziden went to the Paramount Chief over hundreds of villages in Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) to request permission to settle there. After learning what Ziden believed about God, the chief had questions for him.
Where have you been living? Why haven't you come to me before now?
Chief Dandawa
The Nutts began to build relationships with people and tell them about Jesus. However, some were not as welcoming as Chief Dandawa. This witch doctor declared that he would be the one to bring the needed rain.
“I don’t appreciate what you are telling the people, but I appreciate the way you are doing it. I give them rain, chase out evil spirits, and make their grain grow. They must listen to me.”
Later, the witch doctor told Ziden, "I don't like the message, but I like the way you're doing it." Even though their biblical teachings drew people away from the witch doctor, he could see the Nutts loved the African people and were helping them.
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Ziden and Helen served in Southern Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe) for 14 years. During that time, they helped establish Chidamoyo Hospital, several schools, and 120 churches. God worked through the Nutts and all those who supported their ministry to make a lasting difference in Africa and grow the kingdom around the world.
You left a mark in our land, wish I could meet you and spend time listening to your wise words, and the history you shared with my forefathers.
Message from Chief Dandawa’s Great Grandson to Ziden Nutt in 2024
Related Videos
This series of videos were taken long before GNPI was established. It reveals the commitment to learning the culture, serving others, and sharing the Gospel, which provided a solid foundation for this ministry.
Our Heritage (Chidamoyo Christian Hospital) (3:51) Our Heritage (Baptized into Christ) (:59) Our Heritage (Brother Sithole) (:57) Our Heritage (Church Gatherings) (1:00) Our Heritage (From Darkness to Light) (1:00) Our Heritage (Strength in Fellowship) (1:00) Our Heritage (Training Future Leaders) (1:00) Our Heritage (Training Future Leaders) (1:00)