Apostolic churches set to pray for Zimbabwe

Apostolic churches in Zimbabwe will on May 25 hold a National Day of Prayer at the Zimbabwe Grounds in Highfield. The event, to be held under the ban­ner of the Apostolic Christian Council of Zimbabwe, which repre­sents 370 apostolic sects in Zimbabwe, will coin­cide with another prayer meeting slated for the National Sports Stadium.
ACCZ will also honour founders of apostolic churches, both living and departed, with the "Order of Merit" awards for their roles in establishing independent African churches.
Up to 200 000 pilgrims and Gov­ernment officials are expected to attend. Speaking at a Press conference in Harare yesterday, ACCZ spokesper­son Bishop Losheck Kufakunesu said the event would be a significant mile­stone.
"We want to take that opportunity to pray for the country and express grati­tude to the Government for allowing freedom of worship which was not granted in colonial era.
"The day is significant in that as Africa Day we are celebrating African churches and the role they have played to date. We are keen to express our gratitude for the empowerment pro­grammes that Government is embark­ing on which are benefitting our peo­ple," he said.
Bishop Kufakunesu explained that apostolic sects were being excluded in national conventions such as the Zim­babwe Council of Churches and Pen­tecostal churches hence the need for their own meeting.
In apparent reference to controver­sial Nigerian pastor TB Joshua, Bishop Kufakunesu also castigated "prophets of doom" seeing problems in Southern Africa when their coun­tries have big­ger problems, which include the bombing of churches. He said the ACCZ does not sub­scribe to such "prophesies", adding that Zimbabwe has its own unher­alded prophets that can do wonders.
Chief Registrar Reverend Taurai Mbewe said the body will recognise the work done by Apostolic churches.
"We will honour the founding  fathers of apostolic and Zion churches with the Order of Merit Award in recognition of the great work black churches played before and after Inde√É‚Äö√Ǭ≠pendence.
"These include David Jeke Masuka, founder of the Zion church, Samuel Mutendi, Paul Mwazha, Mudzidzi Wimbo, Elija Mugodhi, Habakuk Mangara, Luka Matara, and Johane Marange Momberume. These are the heroes of black churches in Zimbabwe.
"We will also unveil a funeral assur­ance scheme following an agreement we entered into with a South African company and we will also unveil empowerment projects for our mem­bers," he said.
Businessman and farmer Mr Nelson Mahupete pledged to support apostolic church members with farming inputs.