The Sunday News
Patrick Chitumba, Midlands Bureau Chief
ZIMBABWE has a bright future ahead anchored on Government policies like Zim Asset that are pro-development, a senior cleric has said.
Addressing a gathering of more than 100 000 Zion Christian Church (ZCC) congregants who converged on Defe Dopota in Gokwe for a three-day annual commemoration of the life of the late ZCC founder Bishop Samuel Mutendi yesterday — ZCC Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi said Zimbabwe will emerge from its current socio-economic problems and be self-sufficient because God is in control.
Bishop Mutendi said God raised enemies for the country so that the world can sit up and take notice from Cape to Cairo when it becomes an economic powerhouse.
Giving Biblical examples, Bishop Mutendi said David would have been nothing without Goliath.
He said Moses would also have been nothing without king Pharaoh.
“Zimbabwe has its enemies put there to see it blossom . . . to see it become an economic powerhouse from Cape to Cairo. Zimbabwe will never be like any other country in the world once these problems are over. We have a Government that has put in place programmes like Zim Asset which are there to uplift us economically. But there is an enemy who wants us to fail but we have a caring God who won’t allow us to suffer for a long time,” he said.
Bishop Mutendi said there will never be a country like Zimbabwe — a country which is endowed with natural resources.
“So the enemy upon us is not permanent. If you hear the story of the founder of ZCC Bishop Samuel Mutendi you hear that he was fearless and he didn’t give in and loved his enemies. Satan says hate your enemy. The problem with most of us is that we believe in hating our enemy. No we must love our enemies as the bible tells us. Let’s not hate the enemies they are assisting us to go forward. Zion Christian Church is as it is because of enemies. In 1913 and at Hakireni (Chegutu) Samuel Mutendi was visited by the Holy Spirit and started this church but he had a lot of enemies. He faced resistance but he remained steadfast until his death and as a country we need to remain steadfast and know that God is in control. He is a loving God,” he said.
“The God of Zion is a caring God. He cares for his people more than any other God. Zion is his project.”
Bishop Mutendi said Zimbabweans and Christians in particular should not be discouraged by enemies.
He urged church members to love their enemies and pray for them.
“We can’t agree to hate each other. You are not allowed to hate as a Christian. Every enemy lifts your name. Even when you face problems remain steadfast,” said Bishop Mutendi.
He said for the first time in 41 years the annual Defe holy procession will be held today in order to accommodate a number of pilgrims who arrived late due to traffic problems on the road.
Pilgrims will line the streets of Defe and Bishop Mutendi with senior church members will march along every street greeting the pilgrims and bid them farewell as they depart from Defe.
@pchitumba1
