ZCC leader tells sinners to turn to God

ZION Christian Church (ZCC) leader, Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi has called on all transgressors to turn to God for forgiveness regardless of how huge their sins are.

Delivering his main sermon on the last day of the Easter conference yesterday, Bishop Mutendi said people should emulate the Biblical Mary Magdalene who, despite her bad past, repented and became one of the pure and faithful servants before God. He also cited the thief who asked for favour when he was nailed on the cross beside Jesus Christ.

He said there is no sin that is unforgivable before the Lord. "I urge you all whose ways aren't according to God's expectations to turn to God. You all deserve to be saved. Mary Magdalene was a harlot, which was the worst sin but she was one of the people who were there at the resurrection of Jesus Christ after being forgiven," said Bishop Mutendi.

He said the person who has repented always pleases God.

"We were happy with the procession as we marked the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Today we're all celebrating the defeat of death as demonstrated by His (Jesus) rise. Easter Sunday is a very important day for the Zionists," he said.

Bishop Mutendi underscored the need for elders and fellow congregants to shepherd new converts so that they do not backslide.

"I urge elders and other fellow Zionists to keep shepherding the new converts so that they know our church doctrine and remain prayerful. Satan is not happy when he sees people repenting from sins, he feels threatened. That's why we say new Zionists have to be baptised straight away from here," he said.

Yesterday's procession saw Bishop Mutendi taken round the mega church which is one of the religious tourism centres with more than 120,000 congregates ululating and waving the church's flags.

The Easter conference which started on Friday ended yesterday with delegates from Lesotho, Zambia, South Africa, Botswana, Mozambique, Malawi, and United States of America also in attendance.