A Chinese pastor and his family have arrived in Zimbabwe to plant churches among the country's growing Chinese community, in the first missionary deployment received by the Zimbabwe East Union Conference of Seventh-day Adventists.

Pastor Ge Xueshun, his wife Ma Zhiying, and their two daughters landed at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, where they were met by conference and union leaders. The family begins a five-year assignment to minister to Chinese nationals and establish congregations across the union's territory.

"We are very excited to be in Zimbabwe," Pastor Ge said. "We are looking forward to a great ministry, and we are hopeful that it will be a success and bring glory to God."

Zimbabwe East Union Conference President Dr. Godfrey Musara said the family's arrival answers the gospel commission to reach people of every nation and language.

"This is a fulfilment of the great commission, where all people, nationalities and tongues are being afforded the opportunity to hear the message of truth," Musara said.

Union Executive Secretary Dr. Innocent Chizhande said the deployment marks a first for the union.

"This is a historic moment, as these are the first missionaries to have been received by the Zimbabwe East Union Conference," Chizhande said.

Church leaders said the assignment responds to a rising number of Chinese nationals living in Zimbabwe, and is expected to open new ground for outreach to that community.

Pathfinders from Cygnet College performed marching drills and presented gifts to the family during the evening welcome.