Simon Kimbangu

Simon Kimbangu, born in Nkamba, Belgian Congo, was a rather ordinary Baptist catechist until April 1921, when he reportedly healed a sick woman. Suddenly, everyone wanted a piece of him – or rather, a piece of his miraculous healing touch. Predictably, this drew the ire of the colonial authorities, who weren't too keen on anyone attracting large, devoted crowds without their express permission.

His ministry, a blend of Christian teachings and traditional African beliefs, gained immense popularity, turning him into a prophet in the eyes of his followers. The Belgian colonial administration, however, saw him less as a prophet and more as a burgeoning political threat, especially with his burgeoning anti-colonial rhetoric. Hence, they swiftly moved to shut down his operation, because nothing says 'maintain order' like imprisoning a spiritual leader.

Kimbangu was arrested, sentenced to death, and then had his sentence commuted to life imprisonment. He spent the next 30 years in prison, becoming a martyr and a symbol of resistance. All the while, his movement, Kimbanguism, continued to grow, eventually becoming one of the largest independent African-initiated churches, which is quite the achievement for someone doing hard time.

Today, the Kimbanguist Church is a member of the World Council of Churches, proving that even a movement started by a 'disturbing' prophet can eventually find its way into the mainstream. It seems that sometimes, a good long prison sentence can be the best PR a religious leader could ask for.