Christ Embassy Church apologises over 'resurrection' prayer

RELATIVES of the Gweru woman who invited her Christ Embassy Church members during the funeral wake of her 15-year-old son in an attempt to "resurrect" the boy have said they have no problems with the church after its leadership apologised over the incident.

In an interview, a relative of the boy Tatenda Dick said a three-member delegation, led by a Pastor Glorious, visited the Machingauta family in South Downs Extension to apologise following an all-night vigil in which some members of the church attempted to "resurrect" the boy.

The "resurrection" prayers were reportedly conducted with the blessing of Tatenda's mother, Ms Germa Machingauta.

"The church leader, Pastor Glorious, came with his team and apologised to us. They told us what they believed in and the reasons why their members conducted the resurrection prayers. They indicated to us that there were no satanist motives and that their prayers were genuine, as they attempted to bring back the boy to life. We have understood them and accepted their apology," said a relative, who chose not to be named.

The relative said they respected freedom of worship and beliefs and allowed the Christ Embassy team to conduct their "resurrection" prayers.

"When sister Germa (Ms Machingauta) told us that she had received a phone call from her church members to the effect that the boy would resurrect, we were all puzzled, but we could not stop her and her church members from conducting their prayers, as it was to her best interest," said the relative.

Efforts to get a comment from Pastor Glorious were fruitless yesterday.

When this reporter visited the church offices along Main Street yesterday morning, some of the church members said Pastor Glorious was busy preparing for a church service.

When this reporter visited the church offices later in the day, he was also denied access to Pastor Glorious, who was said to be busy giving counselling sessions to other church members.

"Today is a busy day for Brother Glorious you can leave your contact details. He will get in touch with you, but not today," said a lady who was at the front office.

Ms Machingauta refused to comment when contacted.

"I will not comment any more over this. I have no comment," she said

Meanwhile, a senior member of the Christ Embassy Church who spoke to Chronicle described the move by three church members who tried to pray for the resurrection of Tatenda as being overzealous.

"These guys were just overzealous. It was a matter of miscalculated faith. One of them was supposed to receive an instruction from God before they could go and conduct their prayers. They were just clueless of whatever they were doing. It was a trial and error," said the church member.

Mourners were left speechless on Monday last week when three pastors from Christ Embassy Church went into a                    room where Tatenda's body lay in state before they started conducting "resurrection" prayers.

The prayers, which extended to Tuesday morning, could, however, not yield any results, as the boy was buried later in the afternoon.

Only close relatives attended the burial as the majority of the mourners had dispersed because they could not buy the "resurrection" story.