Church embraces First Lady’s teachings

Charity Chikara, Sunday News Reporter

MUGODHI Apostolic Faith Church has embraced First Lady, Dr Auxillia Mnangagwa’s teachings on moral values and upholding of cultural beliefs that promote familyhood and the spirit of ubuntu, saying the trainings formed the basis of their provincial women’s conference held in Bulawayo yesterday.

The church, under the leadership of Bishop Aaron Munodawafa held a provincial conference at their Nketa branch where they addressed social issues affecting communities such as domestic violence, drug and alcohol abuse, health care, among many others deriving their agenda from the First Lady’s teachings on women’s position as the custodians of harmony within societies. 

The conference preached the gospel of love, respect, submission, unity and harmony as well as sharing information regarding the well-being of women such as cancer screening, contraceptives and career guidance, among others. It was held under the theme, “Motivating every woman to uphold family values through gospel.”

Speaking at the conference, Cyprian Manzwiyi said their church was in full support of Government efforts towards eradicating social ills such as early child marriages, doctrines that prohibit congregants from seeking medical attention, disadvantaging the girlchild from their right to education, domestic violence and the scourge of drug abuse. He said it was high time the apostolic sects cleared their name and adopt new ways of doing things while preserving cultural values and abiding to the word of God. 

“We respect and uphold government initiatives that concern women and children. Women have gathered today to impact knowledge to each other. They have taken the First Lady’s teachings on the aforementioned issues. People should know that in our church we urge each other to be law abiding citizens, we try to deal with issues of child marriages in conferences like this where we teach young women and girls to value themselves and encourage them to pursue education,” he said.

Mrs Elina Dzimbanhete from Kadoma branch said the conference was held in honour of the First Lady’s Hunhu/Ubuntu teachings across the country. She said the reason why they have managed to stick around in the church for decades was mostly because  leaders in the church have provided a safe environment for women and girls. 

National Secretary for the Women’s Association in the church, Mrs Miriro Jokonya said the family was a strong institution that shapes and determines the nature of coexistence among people particularly in marriages and importantly in national development.