The Sunday News
Mthokozisi Dube
AWARD-winning clergyman Tonderai Mupamhanga’s dream brought him close and personal with all sorts of people — the problematic included.
And obviously, dealing with the most difficult people would frustrate even the sturdiest soul. But for South Africa-based pastor, Mupamhanga, who leads a youthful church right in the heart of Johannesburg’s city centre, he sees an unpolished diamond in the most difficult being.
And just months after bagging the People’s Choice accolade in the Zim Achievers Awards held in South Africa, his dream has begun to take its wings.
While the award, his umpteenth, was a source of excitement, it definitely did not spell contentment.
It only relit his dream.
“I always wanted to be influential and to help as many people as I could,” he says, adding “my greatest desire was to empower the weak and equip those who did not believe in themselves so that they could reach their full potential.”
The practising businessperson and technical consultant finally gets to empower the feeble across the world through his rich writings. He recently hogged the limelight when he launched four Christian books in the City of Gold amid much joy and thanksgiving.
The kindle versions of all his five books were immediately placed on sale on the world’s biggest online bookstore Amazon and Google Play at a price of $5.
Noticeably, the book Financial Success Models is making an impact on men and women across the globe.
Speaking from the Netherlands, Webster Gumindoga, who read the book days after its launch, terms it a liberating read.
“When I started reading the book I just could not put it down, I was on a long flight and by the time I arrived at my destination I was done and empowered,” he says.
Dynamics of Faith is also arming believers to walk by faith and attain God’s promises.
His maiden publication Apostolic Mindsets and Paradigms highlighted God’s desire for the church to become influential and transform societies and nations for Christ. The next one Apostolic Alignment challenges the church that success in the ministry does not necessarily depend on gifts and anointing, but in the ability to align to divine order and God-ordained apostolic structures.
“Apostolic Alignments promotes the need for individuals and leaders to align to the Apostolic Houses they belong to in terms of doctrine, culture, standards, values and prophetic seasons,” he explains.
His fifth book The Power of Apostolic Voices outlines the importance and necessity of apostolic voices in the body of Christ.
Mupamhanga’s conviction is that apostolic voices shape the future of cities, churches and nations. He discovered his passion for writing while at boarding school at the age of 17, but is quick to admit that he never anticipated his dream would take such a sensational turn. He reveals it all began to gain momentum while working as an associate pastor to Chemani Tuturu almost a decade ago.
“His passion to read and write stirred up a great desire in me to write and document things that God was speaking to me,” says the ICT application solutions expert.
He also credits his apostolic parents, Bishop Colin and Dr Sarah Nyathi, the founders of Harvest House International Churches, for his thriving writing calling.
For him, the secret behind impactful Christian writing is to tap into the mind of God and discover what God is saying as you write.
“Anything that is inspired by the Holy Spirit is impactful and it changes people’s lives.”
He believes for one to write a book they need to carry a unique message. “If you are carrying a message to share with the world, you can potentially translate it into a manuscript or a book.”
One would imagine the pressure he has had to deal with on a day-to-day basis having been in ICT application solutions in the banking, financial and retail sectors for the last 10 years while also serving as a pastor.
On the other hand, the father of two, who quickly stresses his love for his family, has another role as a husband to another thriving author of two books, Patience. Just how does he manage to balance up all these?
“The only way to balance things is through good time management,” he says.
Like everyone else, he has had his fair share of challenges, but says the grace of God has been his ultimate sustenance. He adds: “My wife Patience has been a pillar of strength throughout.”
He also acknowledges the amazing guardianship of his dad and his late mum during his childhood and says they kept him focused on life’s important things.
Intriguingly, with all the success so early in life, Mupamhanga is still not content, but wants to see as many people’s dreams come to fruition.
