Online Reporter
Fungai Lupande
Mashonaland Central Bureau
The ZAOGA FIF Prayer Mountain, affectionately known as Gomo raBaba Guti, is more than just a spiritual sanctuary — it is a place of profound miracles, divine encounters and a testament to the legacy of late Archbishop Ezekiel Guti.
Nestled in the serene hills overlooking Bindura town, the sacred site has become a beacon of hope, healing and unity for people from all walks of life, both locally and internationally. For Pastor Patler Ndoga, who grew up in the nearby Chipadze high density suburb, the mountain has been a lifelong spiritual guide, shaping his faith and connecting him to God in ways that transcend borders and cultures.
“One day, I went up as usual and began speaking in tongues,” he recalled. This experience marked the beginning of a deep spiritual connection that has stayed with him throughout his life.
Now a missionary based in Oman, Pastor Ndoga and his wife, Sharon, make bi-annual pilgrimages to the mountain, reaffirming their faith and seeking divine guidance. Pastor Ndoga shared stories about his father, Blackson Ndoga, a revered but untrained player of the accordion music instrument.
“He met Archbishop Guti while coming down the prayer mountain and was asked why he wasn’t playing the accordion he brought to church on several occasions,” he recounted.
He also mentioned how his father drove Archbishop Guti without a driver’s licence or prior driving experience.
“These are the miracles that make me love the ZAOGA Prayer Mountain. I have visited places of worship in Samoa, Ireland, New Zealand and other locations but my heart remains at the ZAOGA Prayer Mountain.”
The ZAOGA Prayer Mountain has grown into a global pilgrimage site, attracting visitors from across Zimbabwe and beyond. People from as far as Tunisia, Uganda, Israel and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) have made the journey to Bindura to seek spiritual renewal.
Prophet John Moyounotsva, who oversees the mountain, said visitors come to pray for marriages, children, work, finances and health.
The mountain’s serene environment and the palpable presence of the Holy Spirit make it a sacred space for divine encounters.
“We have received three Jews from Israel and a Palestinian from Gaza. At one point, people from DRC even chartered a plane to come to Bindura. People are recognising the significance of this prayer mountain,” said Prophet Moyounotsva. To accommodate the growing number of visitors, the church has introduced a minimum donation of US$2 to cover maintenance costs, such as cleaning, water and toiletries.
However, no one is turned away if they do not have the money to pay. The church also maintains a registration system to keep track of visitors, ensuring the mountain remains a safe and organised space for prayer.
While the prayer mountain has been developed, there is still room for growth.
At an investment conference held recently in Bindura, Prophet Moyounotsva said over 1 000 international delegates from 171 countries visited the church in January this year.
Once they are allocated land, Prophet Moyounotsva said, the church is ready to construct a five-star hotel to accommodate international visitors comfortably.
On January 28, about 370 foreign delegates including Congressmen from Washington DC also visited the church. The church features a cathedral and a hall with a seating capacity of over 10,000.
“Never in Zimbabwe’s history has there been a place that hosts more than 20 000 people for a ‘night of miracles, signs, and wonders’ each month,” he said.
During the conference, Mr Reason Machigere, executive director for special projects at the Zimbabwe Tourism Authority (ZTA), said the Ezekiel Guti Prayer Mountain has immense potential in terms of religious tourism.
He revealed that ZTA is working with local authorities across Zimbabwe to ensure that licensed investors in tourism and hospitality develop modern infrastructure.
Mr Machigere, who represented the Tourism and Hospitality Industry Minister Barbara Rwodzi, pointed out that previous conflicts between authorities had resulted in some investors building facilities without essential auxiliary services. He urged the Bindura community to focus on attracting investments in hotel and conference facilities to better host regional and international events.
Currently, the province has an estimated hotel bed capacity of around 650, making it the least equipped among all the country’s 10 provinces.
Archbishop Guti’s legacy lives on through the mountain. It was here, in 1962, that he received the divine ability to understand and read the Bible in English, leading him to author over 100 books.
Today, the mountain serves as his final resting place and a physical reminder of his lifelong dedication to spreading the gospel.
