AFM Church splits again

Nhlalwenhle Ncube, Sunday News Reporter
THERE has been another breakaway at Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) Church which has split the church further.

Bulawayo’s North End AFM church Prophet Lillian Bwanya has cut ties with Apostolic Faith Mission and launched her own church called Spirit Filled International Ministries (SFIM).

Though word that Prophet Bwanya was planning to open her own church had loomed before, she had on numerous times dismissed the rumour and only dropped the bombshell two weeks ago.

She reportedly bid farewell to the North End congregants during a service and made it clear that she had received a call from God to establish her own church. However, there are reports that Prophet Bwanya rendered in her resignation letter after learning that she was being transferred to Binga to lead another AFM branch.

One of the congregants said, “We were surprised when she bid farewell despite having dismissed the rumours of starting her own church. The church leadership could have avoided such a scenario where the Pastor moves with people. It is clear she has been working on this project for some time.”

When Prophet Bwanya was contacted for comment she said, “God spoke to me in 2015, 2016 and 2017 that I had to leave and open my church but I was reluctant until it was confirmed to me in prophecy that I had to leave and open my church. I had to heed God’s call to leave and start my own church where I would operate without being limited by the system,” she said.

She disputed claims that she had to break ties with AFM after being told she was being transferred to another branch in Binga. Bulawayo North Province Overseer Nathan Nhira revealed that they had received Prophet Bwanya’s letter informing them of her intent.

“We have received a letter from one of the senior pastors informing us of what she intends to do. It is not a resignation letter as you call it. We will take it from where she has left off and we are not worried about people who have decided to go with her.

It is not like she left after a bad thing had happened, but it was a matter of time and we will give her the necessary support, “said Nhira.

He further revealed that there was nothing new with the breakaway as it had happened before with Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa being one of them. Prophet Bwanya had served at the AFM North End Assembly since 2011 and she stole the limelight with her popular Tuesday deliverance and prophecies prayers.