In 1947 Simão Toko founded the Nzambi Mapapu religious movement after working as a teacher and evangelist.

Having attended the Baptist Missionary Society station at Kibokolo and later taught in Luanda, Toko experienced a series of visions that compelled him to start his own congregation. The movement, named Nzambi Mapapu (meaning 'God is great'), emphasized direct spiritual revelations, healing practices, and a strong African identity. It quickly attracted followers who were disillusioned with colonial‑era churches and sought a faith rooted in their own cultural experience.