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Blessings Chidakwa Herald Reporter
The body of “hero of faith” ZAOGA founder Apostle Professor Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti is expected to receive a grand welcome on touching down at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport today.
Like the biblical story of a donkey entering Jerusalem with Jesus Christ, it will be a hive of activity along Joshua Mqabuko Nkomo Road (formerly Airport Road) as church members will be singing and dancing welcoming Archbishop Guti.
The Archbishop has been described as a true patriot who always put his country first ahead of anything and has inspired generations through words and deeds.
Apart from evangelism, Archbishop Guti spearheaded the provision of social services by his church and sponsored the setting up of Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University in Bindura as well as Mbuya Dorcas Hospital in Waterfalls, Harare.
Baba Guti, as he was affectionately known, is one of Zimbabwe’s celebrated pioneers of indigenous Pentecostal evangelism.
Barely two months before his death, the man of the cloth invited President Mnangagwa to his 100th birthday celebrations, cementing the cordial relations the church enjoys with the State.
His influence spread across divides locally and internationally, with President Mnangagwa describing him as the one of the “generals and patriarchs of faith” while addressing a recent rally in Magunje, Mashonaland West Province.
“We remember him because he preached love and unity. Had he been a preacher of violence, I would not have acknowledged him. Let us all observe a minute of silence in his honour,” he said.
The church’s secretary-general, Apostle Mishael Nyambo has already highlighted that the burial will be in Zimbabwe, although the exact location will be communicated later.
“The family and the church are currently in consultation, and when they are clear, we will be able to speak to the nation,” he said during an interview with public broadcaster Zimbabwe Broadcasting Corporation (ZBC).
A ZAOGA congregant who only identified herself as Sister Melody said she cannot wait for the arrival of the body of Baba Guti.
“I can’t wait any longer to be part of multitudes who will welcome the body of the servant of God tomorrow (today). His good works speak for themselves,” she said.
Another congregant, Mr Pedzisai Zisengwe described Baba Guti as a God-fearing man who was full of love which is manifesting even in his death.
Archbishop Guti, he said, had the passion of empowerment, encouraging people to work with their hands both educated and uneducated while blessing them.
“Baba Guti was a man of God, who was called by God. We can see this in his works. A man who didn’t go to school and did all these wonders which the whole world believed in him and his God.
“Who can do this without God? Only this shows us that he was a humble man among all the people who call themselves man of God,” he said.
Archbishop Guti died at the age of 100 on July 5 this year in South Africa, having been born on May 5, 1923, in Chipinge, Manicaland Province.
For 75 years he was working in God’s ministry.
While Archbishop Guti burial date and place is yet to be made public the church followers are observing 30 days of mourning starting on May 5.
Online Reporter