The Sunday News
Walter Mswazie in Mbungo, Masvingo
ZION Christian Church (ZCC) bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi says he is charmed by President Mugabe’s wisdom on the Word of God, describing him as a God-fearing African statesman.
Speaking to over 100 000 congregants gathered for the 102nd Easter conference at the church’s landmark building in Mbungo some 40km east of Masvingo, Dr Mutendi said he was thrilled by the way President Mugabe “preached” to other African leaders during an Africa Union meeting in Tanzania recently.
He said President Mugabe, who is both the AU and Sadc chair had a deep understanding of the Word of God.
Dr Mutendi challenged congregants to take a leaf from President Mugabe’s address in Tanzania where he explicitly stated that Africa was guilty of a sin of commission when he referred to the continent’s failure to remember fallen statesmen like the late Tanzanian President Julius Mwalimu Nyerere and Nkwame Nkrumah of Ghana.
This year’s ZCC Easter conference theme is: “Hell is a reality, Heaven is a reality”.
Present at the pilgrimage were Deputy Minister of Agriculture, Mechanisation and Irrigation Development responsible for Cropping, Cde Davison Marapira, congregants from South Africa, Mozambique, Lesotho and Botswana, among others.
“I listened to President Mugabe’s address last week when he was speaking to other African leaders in Tanzania as AU chairman. Our President is the chairman of two continental blocs, mind you — AU and Sadc altogether.
“He said Africa is guilty of sinning. He said we are guilty of a sin of commission and likewise, church leaders can be also guilty of the same kind of sin if they do not pray for their followers,” said Bishop Dr Nehemiah.
“As spiritual leaders we should pray for our congregants — failure to do so will constitute a sin. I always pray for Zion — my followers. If you are given a gift of praying for others and you do not pray for them, that will be tantamount to sinning.”
He underscored the need for Christians to free themselves from sins through seeking forgiveness and remaining obedient to God.
“Yesterday most of you were in the mountains where you prayed for forgiveness but what makes you think that you are forgiven or not forgiven? Those who did not manage to be in the mountains may be absolved as we know that it is not their fault but Satan is responsible for their failure,” he said.
He emphasised the need for congregants to be ready for the resurrection of Jesus Christ and urged them to have zeal to transform their lives and remain obedient to Jesus Christ.
Dr Mutendi deplored the culture of hatred between fellow congregants.
The Easter conference started on Friday and ends today.
