Prophet Magaya reveals secret behind power

Charismatic leader of Prophetic, Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries Prophet Walter Magaya has revealed that his gift of prophecy and deliverance grew phenomenally after he visited Nigerian preacher Prophet TB Joshua whom he initially consulted on business projects.

Although he started prophesying in 2003, it was in 2009 when he visited his spiritual father, Prophet TB Joshua, to ask him about 80 business proposals.

The Nigerian preacher told him to drop his original ideas of enterprise since his gift was in ministering for the Lord.

Prophet Magaya revealed this in an interview with The Sunday Mail at PHD's all-night prayer meeting dubbed "Night of Turnaround 3" in Harare on Friday.

Many wondered how he managed to organise such a massive meeting that drew an estimated 350 000 congregants, including some from regional countries.

Prophet Magaya explained: "He (Prophet TB Joshua) blessed me with anointing water such that when I arrived back home in Chitungwiza, I found about 130 people waiting for me, seeking healing and deliverance.

"At that time, I was already in the ministry, but was under the leadership of the Blood of Lamp Christian Community (BLCC). They later advised me to start my own church and it was in 2011 when we started with a few congregants but the numbers grew to 5 000 last year and we are now talking about an average of 80 000 every Sunday service this year.

"For one to be a prophet, it's a divine calling. No one can appoint himself a prophet, it can only be God! I don't speak my mind when prophesying but I only say what I am told to say by the Almighty God."

Prophet Magaya said he was dumbfounded by the huge turnout at the prayer meeting.

"The number of people went beyond our imagination; no one knows the exact number of people gathered. I have never seen anything like this, it's amazing.

"We have people from all over the world, including South Africa, Zambia, Namibia, Lesotho and Botswana.

"At last year's meeting, we had only 5 000 people but the numbers have grown dramatically. This shows that Africa is hungry for God; people want God to change their lives.

"Zimbabwe is a Christian nation and we should maintain the hunger for God. Where there is anointing, things happen."

Responding to criticism over the performance of Zim-dancehall artiste Tocky Vibes at the prayer meeting, Prophet Magaya said his approach was to entertain those from outside his church to lure them to the House of God and have their lives saved.

Other musicians who performed on the night include Bishop Benjamin Dube of South Africa, Sebastian Magacha and Mathias Mhere.

"Even if you listen to our songs in church, we have changed some of the secular songs into Christian music so that we entertain congregants; we don't want a boring church. So, there is nothing wrong with Tocky's performance; it's just a different approach," he said.

The Prophet said although he was always busy with church work, he still had time for his wife, Tendai, and two children - Yadah Makanaka and Walter Junior.

"I can't spend as much time as I would love to (with them) but I have my family's interests at heart," he said.

Asked whether allegations that he had a sexual relationship with Mr Denford Mutashu's wife - Nomsa - affected his church, he said if anything, the allegations made his church grow from 40 000 to 80 000 congregants per service because "people wondered: ‘Who is this person who has made newspaper headlines for 23 consecutive days?"

"The allegations and negative perceptions taught me a lot in my church and personal life. I now know what to do and when; we have cameras at our church to record every meeting."