-1 382 baptised
MIDWEEK REPORTER
CHIRUMANZU-Thousands of African Apostolic Church (Mutumwa Paul Mwazha) faithfuls from the Midlands Province converged for the Ndarikure 2023 Holy Communion annual gathering last weekend in Chirumanzu near Shahe River.
The African Apostolic Church is led by 105 year old Archbishop Paul Mwazha and is also famously known by its pay off line, Africa Yedu because he was sent to preach the gospel to Africa.
The annual gathering was attended by among others, Bishop Ngoni Edwards Mwazha, chairman of the board of trustees, Bishop Elson Tafa, general secretary Bishop Richard Juru, vice chairman Bishop Simbarashe Tsveta and Manicaland Province Bishop Dr Leonard Mukumba.
The Church managed to register 1 197 coverts and 1 382 people were baptized on Sunday which was the main day of the Ndarikure Holy Communion gathering, information and publicity national chairman, Bishop Gwatirera Javangwe told The Midweek Watch.
“Over 25 000 people came for the annual Ndarikure 2023 Holy communion gathering where we perform the rites as prescribed in the Holy Bible by Jesus Christ.
“Thousands of new converts joined in the ceremony and many were baptized over the three days, Friday, Saturday and our main day Sunday where we share the Christ’s body and blood in the form of wine blessed by our leader, Archbishop Paul Mwazha,” said Bishop Javangwe.
“All those who attended the annual holy communion from as young as ECD going age took part in the process. Hundreds were prayed for and healed, some managed to conceive after many years of barrenness and collapsed marriages were restored, miracles were performed during the three days just to mention but a few things that happened here,” he added.
The African Apostolic Church was started in 1959 by Archbishop Mwazha who was a teacher by profession in Chikomba District and it has spread to all over the world with millions of followers.
Archbishop Mwazha was born in 1918 at Holy Cross Hospital in Chirumanzu where he died and miraculously rose from the dead in the presents of the resident Father and nurses at the health centre, said Bishop Javangwe.
Mwazha went on to train as a teacher and he taught at several schools while at the same time preaching the word of God.
He was a Methodist before he formed his own Church in 1959 after receiving a divine calling
“We were very excited with the turnout as it was one of the biggest in recent years, we are naturally pleased as it shows that the hand of God is working and people are receiving blessings by going to church.
“Our efforts are being rewarded and we expect more people to attend the event during the same time next year,” he added.
Rosemary Museve a cotton farmer from Gokwe said she is quite happy to be at the divine Ndarikure Mountain for the second time in three years as she could not take part last year due to financial constraints.
“I am filled with the Holy Spirit, the moment I arrived here, I started having a different feeling altogether, it is actually a blessing to be here and share the holy communion with our leaders, I will make sure that I don’t miss this event again in future, my life has taken a turn for the better,” said Museve.
Emmanuel Sakarombe from Mutare said he came to give moral support to fellow congregants in the Midlands Province and he expects the same when they hold their own annual Holy Communion.
