The Sunday News
IT WAS all white as more than 6 000 members of the African Apostolic Church (VaApostora VeAfrica) from across the country converged on Irisvale Farm in Nswazi on Friday to attend the church’s Matabeleland South annual three-day Holy Communion Service.
The gathering was also attended by church founder and leader Paul Mamvura Mwazha (98) who also ministered to his multitude of followers. Each province meets annually to receive communion, where thousands of members of the church gather to receive biblical teachings, share testimonies and receive prophecies. The gathering began on Friday and ends today, with an extra 1 000 (plus) people still expected to attend.
Most of the members arrived by bus on Friday at the gathering venue where they pitched up tents, which they used for shelter for the duration of the occasion.
This was the second gathering to be held in the country this year, following a similar one held in Dimbiti in Marondera District at the beginning of this month.
In an interview, the publicity and information secretary for the church, Bishop Elson Tafa said each province gathers to receive Holy Communion once a year.
“Each province gathers once a year, with no specific dates to receive Holy Communion. The gathering lasts three days, where congregants are preached to and also given the chance to give testimonies from walking in God’s path,” he said.
Bishop Tafa noted that for one to receive Holy Communion, their heart and soul had to be pure, hence the three-day gathering.
“We gather for three days, in this particular case we gathered on Friday, where we attend services, have prayer sessions and also prophecies. For one to receive communion their heart needs to be pure and clean of sin. We are all on our way to Heaven and need to be cleansed of the dirt of sin in order for us to be with God. We start having prayers in the morning and the gathering and services are open to anyone,” he said.
Bishop Tafa added that they would erect a sanctuary for the receiving of communion.
“The service will begin between 9 and 10 am. We hope the erection of the sanctuary will be complete by the time the service begins in the morning. We will begin working on it around 2am,” he said.
The church was founded in 1918. Mwazha was born on 25 October 1918 in Chirumanzi District in the Midlands Province.
His father, believed to be one of King Lobengula’s “warlords”, died when Paul was still a toddler, prompting his mother, Saramina, to move to her home in Sadza in Chivhu.
“When he turned 18 he left Sadza for the first time to attend his fourth year at Salvation Army Station, Howard Institute. He proceeded to the teachers’ training faculty and qualified as a teacher in 1941. He was made headmaster of various schools in Mashonaland, including in his home area — Chivhu.
“He began preaching the word of God in 1941, after receiving a spiritual calling, erasing the divide between teacher and preacher, allowing himself to be guided by the Holy Spirit. He based most of his decisions on prayer and guidance from revelations and spiritual visions,” said Evangelist Nicholas Mutombwa from the church’s publicity and information department.
He said Mwazha became a Methodist Evangelist in 1951 and was part of the congregation directed by the leadership of the Wesley Methodists to prepare to receive the Holy Communion in 1953.
“He is a Zimbabwean preacher and has walked in the footsteps of his biblical predecessors, Moses, Elijah and Christ. Through a series of visions and revelations he saw the path to follow and eventually established the church we call African Apostolic Church to bring this ministry to the world. His relationship with God reached steadfast levels as he spent most of his time praying and singing to the Lord.
“He would have his private moment interrupted by spiritual voices, giving him distinct messages and more often he would witness an almost physical vision of Jesus Christ and revelations on what the future held for him. It was one of these visions that announced to him the name of the church in 1959,” said Evangelist Mutombwa.
He said Mwazha has attempted to recount and list the many visions and revelations he witnessed, leading to the establishment of the Apostles of Africa.
“The movement has grown into a large and vibrant Christian grouping with its roots in Zimbabwe and its Christian teaching becoming much familiar to many people,” added Evangelist Mutombwa.
He also said Mwazha had two books that had been published laying an account of how he converted from the conventional worship to develop the African Apostolic Church.
“He has tried to chronicle his journey in two anthologies. The account makes a profound reading and reference for believers in Christ and non-believers alike.
“It’s a record that proves useful to students as a primary source providing original insight into theology in Africa. It stands as proof of God’s living presence and guidance in the spread if his word,” said Evangelist Mutombwa.
To date the church has grown regionally and internationally, with branches across Southern Africa and some in America, United Kingdom and Dubai.
