Celebrating the witness of M. L. “Inus” Daneel

The death of M. L. “Inus” Daneel on July 29, 2024, marked the end of the era of mid-20th century pioneer missionary researchers on African Initiated Churches.41 Among AIC scholars, Daneel’s research in Zimbabwe was marked by a solidarity that helped him to produce the most in-depth study of “African Independency” in one ethnic group— the massive three-volume Old and New in Southern Shona Independent Churches.42 To remain in Africa during the fifteen-year liberation war that gave birth to the nation of Zimbabwe, Daneel turned down the professorship of missiology and religions at the Vrij Universiteit Amsterdam. Instead, he itinerated thousands of miles, even in war zones, to run an ecumenical Theological Education by Extension (TEE) program in alliance with AIC leaders across Masvingo Province, Zimbabwe.