adminTendai Gukutikwa
ABOUT 30 000 Zviratidzo Zvevapostori Church pilgrims recently converged just outside Zimunya Township for their 2015 National Annual two-week church conference where they hiked Mafuke Mountain for ‘blessings’ from God. The conference which ended last weekend drew pilgrims from all corners of Zimbabwe, with some coming from as far as South Africa, Botswana, Zambia, Mozambique and Malawi.
The ZZC Church which is doing all it can to change some of their beliefs is led by Archbishop Lovemore Nyan’ombe.
Archbishop Nyan’ombe said although the church was formed in 1956, ZZC was a modern day apostolic sect which adheres to the country’s supreme laws. Archbishop Nyan’ombe said his congregants contribute a large volume of people who visit New Start Centres for HIV tests because like any other educated Zimbabweans, they know the doctrine behind the virus and need to protect themselves from it.
“I see no reason why people should be forbidden from something as vital as keeping themselves healthy by regular checkups by their doctors and seeking medical treatment when the need arises. “Members of the ZZC are free to consult doctors as they please because unlike other white garment churches we believe in the existence of medical power and help of doctors. Consulting medical doctors does not mean that we do not believe in the power of prayer. We do pray and experience the presence of God, but that does not give us power to forbid someone from going to hospital,” he said.
Archbishop Nyan’ombe said their female congregants were free to adopt family planning methods of their choices.
True to his word, the conference grounds were dotted with tents from New Start Centre, Traffic Safety Council of Zimbabwe (TSCZ) and Environmental Management Agency (EMA) representatives who were preaching their own gospel on prevention, road safety and environment management respectively to the congregants.
ZZC national vice-president for the youth fellowship, Mr Willard Manga, said the church had made great strides in empowering women followers.
Minister of State for Manicaland Provincial Affairs, Cde Mandi Chimene who graced the gathering last Saturday hailed Zviratidzo Zvevapostori Church on their move towards the empowerment of women and the girl child as well as promotion of medical health checkups. “Despite the fact that this is a white garment church you have defied all odds by encouraging your members to seek medical attention when they are not feeling well.
We have had a lot of problems trying to knock some sense into some church leaders who discourage their members from visiting hospitals and attending school.
“I am sure you have realised that if these children are not sent to school they later become vulnerable and dependant wives. By not sending those not feeling well to hospital, you in turn cause unnecessary deaths,” said Cde Chimene.
Online Reporter