Churches gather

Diana Nherera and Nyemudzai Kakore
Various churches are marking Easter in style through the holding of national conferences that are set to attract hordes of congregates. Some popular gospel artistes are expected to perform at some of the conventions.

Easter is a time where Christians commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Some of the churches started their conventions yesterday, while others are gathering from today to mark one of the most important events on the Christian calendar.

One of the biggest gatherings will be at the City Sports Centre in Harare where thousands of believers from all parts of the country and beyond the borders started gathering yesterday for Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Church conference.

The church’s spokesperson, Pastor Prime Kufakunesu, said the conference will be a life changing event.

“We are expecting thousands to attend as some members of our branches will be coming from all over the country to converge at the City Sports Centre,” he said.

“There will be fireworks as there will be performances from our talented musicians like Pastor Leonard Zhakata, Gospel Power, Diva Mafunga, Mrs Joyce Simeti and many others.”

Pastor Kufa encouraged people to go to church this Easter.

“Easter holidays are not the time to be drinking and engaging in all sorts of things,” he said.

“Easter is a time to commemorate the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ that brought forth what are called Christians. Christians will be celebrating the work of the cross.”

Senior pastor of the Word of Life International Ministries Dr Goodwill Shana said they will pray for peace to continue prevailing in Africa.

“Word of Life International will be marking its fifth anniversary, so we have invited international preachers to grace our event,” he said.

Zaoga FIF secretary-general Dr Washington Rupapa said they will hold Easter conferences in different parts of the country.

Apostolic Faith Mission spokesperson Reverend Amon Madawo said they will not have a conference at national level, but will have them at branch levels.

Anglican Diocese of Harare (CPCA) secretary-general Reverend Clifford Dzavo said: “We are coming together as a family to celebrate our main Easter event at the Harare Gardens.

“A devotion will be held including evening services, however, each congregation will spend the last two days at their respective churches.”

Rev Dzavo said a number of events are lined up at Anglican churches throughout the country.

Zimbabwe Catholic Bishops Conference secretary-general Father Fredrick Chiromba said Easter was the most important event on the Christian calendar.

“Sacraments will be held on Good Friday and throughout Easter Saturday to commemorate the death of our Lord,” he said.

“Also on Easter Saturday there will be a midnight mass.”

Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries spokesperson Mr Admire Mango said they had lined up a number of activities for Easter.

Business was low in Harare yesterday compared to other years when the city would be a hive of activity on Easter eve.

Bus operators said few people were bothering to travel for the holidays, with a survey carried out by The Herald showing that several pick-up points were not busy.

At Mbare Musika, where passengers board buses to rural routes, few passengers were present.

It was the same scenario at Harare Exhibition Park where coaches and commuter omnibuses plying the Gweru-Bulawayo route illegally pick up passengers.

Shop owners were also not very busy yesterday as a few customers visited shops and supermarkets.