Danisa Masuku and Patient Sibanda Chronicle Reporters
THE Apostolic Faith Church in Southern Africa has called on religious organisations in Zimbabwe to pray for the resuscitation of the country’s economy and the removal of illegal Western sanctions. Reverend Julius Matope, a church leader, made the remarks on Sunday as they began their 60th annual camp meeting at the church headquarters in Bulawayo’s Pelandaba suburb.
He said the illegal sanctions imposed were causing untold suffering to the Zimbabwean populace.
“As a church we’re really worried about the illegal sanctions which have affected the growth of our economy. We’re therefore praying so that God can intervene and restore our economic prosperity as well as providing us with the rains since our economy is agro-based,” said Rev Matope.
“We’re also appealing to other churches to join hands with us as we pray for the lifting of sanctions that are causing unnecessary suffering to the majority of our people,” he said.
Rev Matope, who is also the church’s spokesperson, praised President Robert Mugabe for his unrivalled leadership and urged Christians to continue praying from him.
“We’re enjoying peace and unity in Zimbabwe as well as freedom to worship our God in this country because of President Mugabe’s government. We know it’s God who is providing him with the wisdom to lead us,” he said.
The annual convention, which has drawn more than 3,000 congregants from the country’s 10 provinces and countries in the Sadc region, ends on January 3, 2016.
“We’ve between 2,500 and 3,000 congregants from all over Zimbabwe and countries such as South Africa, Mozambique, Namibia, Botswana and Malawi that are attending the two week-long event. We’re inviting everyone to come and witness the power of God where the sick are healed, sinners are saved, sanctified and baptised with the Holy Ghost,” said Rev Matope.
The camp meeting is running under the theme: “The second coming of Jesus Christ” whose scriptures were taken from the Books of Matthew 24 and Hebrews 12.
“These are the last days and it’s wise for people to be warned of the danger that lies ahead if they don’t repent and surrender their lives to the living God. You can only escape the wrath of God by receiving salvation,” he said.
The official opening ceremony was marked by a sermon delivered by the church overseer, Rev Richard Sibanda.
The church, commonly known as Ivangeli/Vhangeri, has a large following in the entire Sadc region. It was founded in 1955 by the late Rev Morgan Sengwayo and his wife Rose.
Rev Sengwayo’s son, Freedom who is also late, was a renowned religious figure and a gospel musician. He was also one of the country’s pioneer gospel singers famed for his anti-apartheid hit song Thula Sizwe, which was composed in the early 1970s.