Online Reporter
Arron Nyamayaro
ARCHBISHOP Kenneth Mawire celebrated his 100th birthday in Harare at the weekend, in the company of family and friends, where he shared some of his secrets to long life.
The centenarian leader, a father of five children, five grandchildren and three great grandchildren, lost his wife but chose to remain single.
Archbishop Mawire is the leader of Unshakable Churchlife Ministries.
He said rather than giving in to sorrow or temptation, he chose to remain single and faithful, holding onto prayer and devotion.
Addressing the guests, Archbishop Mawire spoke strongly against promiscuity.
“The secret for good health is to fear God, who gives life.
“Remain prayerful, faithful and focused,” he said.
“Feed the spiritual person with the word of life and honour your parents to live longer.”
He said a faithful life was built through prayer, worship and choosing righteousness even when temptation looks easy.
Turning to his calling, Archbishop Mawire said one day, after years of working and serving others, he fell sick and became bedridden in hospital.
“I was discharged after all medical tests were carried but I remained sick that my parents lost hope,” he said.
It was during that season, he said, that he began to be called to the ministry of religion.
“I still have the stamina at 100 years to board transport and make my way to town alone.
“I thank God for the gift of life to see my children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.”
Others, who spoke at the celebrations, highlighted Archbishop Mawire’s humility, patience and teaching ability. Church leaders from various denominations attended the celebrations.
They said he taught “the word of God plainly” and preached with conviction, always drawing people back to the basics—hope, repentance and faith. Rev Rodgers of the Delight of Assemblies of God said Archbishop Mawire always taught people to go back to fundamentals.
“We are here to celebrate life of our mentor, one of the few men who stood to live by the word after losing his wife.
“He is one of the few church leaders who teaches about remaining in the right direction as commissioned by the Almighty God,” said Rev Delight.
He praised Archbishop Mawire for how he led by example after losing his wife, choosing to stay faithful and focused.
Archbishop Mawire’s ministry has spilled beyond Zimbabwe.
He has established churches in Mozambique and views his ministry as a lifelong mission built on obedience, sacrifice and love for God’s people.
“Archbishop Mawire’s life was a living reminder that God can raise someone from sickness to service, from loss to faithfulness, and from spoken negatives to spiritual elevation,” said Prophetess Memory Machirovi of Ark of God International Ministries.
“If the heart stays prayerful, worshipping God, and determined to live right and honour your parents, a reward of more life is given and that is what we have learnt from our elder,” she said.
Among the church leaders who attended the celebrations were Rev Hari, Dr Lillian Mudyanadzo, Bishop Chikuni, Prophetess Garikai, Bishop Shem Mangoma of Livingstones Church, and Bishop Ozias Putsira of Body of Christ Ministries, among others.
