adminThere has also been an increase in the advertising of these services.
It was about time the Christian community did that since some religions do it on a daily basis.
I
have been to a number of these meetings and it was quite evident that they are interdenominational in character with people coming together to worship and give praise to the Lord, and then go back to their different workplaces.
This has resulted in strong networks since people meet every weekday.
Brian Mutebi of Uganda writing about the popularity of lunch break fellowships says, “Lunch-hour fellowships are sessions of praising and worshipping God, preaching, praying and being prayed for, conducted during the traditional lunch hours from noon to two o’clock. Lunch-hour fellowships mainly take place in the business districts of towns and cities . . .”
The Methodist Medical Centre in the United States of America defines them as “informal gatherings where it is okay for people to come and go as needed to fit it in their work schedule. The purpose behind this ministry is to provide an opportunity for people who work in the medical center to come for a time of encouragement and fellowship and to bring their friends and co-workers along to connect with the body of Christ . . .”
Pastor Eliott Mandaza of New Life Covenant Church (NLCC) said that lunch break fellowshipping is not a new thing.
“This has been going on in a number of churches since the 1980s and 1990s. For New Life Covenant, our securing of the cinemas in February 2000 has given us the venue stability to be consistent in this prayer meeting since then,” he said.
Just like other gatherings, people meet every weekday from 12:45 to 13:45 and cater for those working in town.
Pastor Eliott said NLCC started lunch break services because, “Whereas some meetings are “power hour” mini-services, we are pressing for and demanding a solid prayer meeting to raise intercessory prayer for the nation and the continent, while catering to individual needs by demonstrating specific prayer principles. Thus our primary purpose is to offer up intercessory.”
His observation about attendance is no different from the other groups: “Our lunchtime prayer meetings are attended by approximately 30-40 percent NLCC members and 60-70 percent non-NLCC members.
This may be due to the centrality of the venue, thus attracting Christians in town . . .”
A woman, who attends the Harare Gardens lunch hour services also said, “Many of us now prefer to be fed spiritually during lunch breaks, instead of just lounging around. I only miss them when I am off duty, or if I have some pressing business to attend to during lunch time.”
How do people find out about these prayer centres, especially non-church members?
Again, Pastor Eliott said, “NLCC members generally hear about the meetings through announcements made in our Worship services . . . Apart from that, this prayer meeting has largely grown by word of mouth.”
Assessing their impact he said, “We have seen its impact over the years through personal testimonies of healing and breakthroughs like finding employment, getting promotions and increments, etc; the spiritual development and development of members that regularly attend; the development and deployment of prospective and upcoming leaders.
And, we believe we are contributing to the on-going national transformation through this and other prayer initiatives.
We are delighted to see that the lunchtime meetings have grown into the current phenomenon.
We certainly pray that they continue to grow with a kingdom focus.
Our desire as a ministry is the realisation of 2 Chronicles 7:14. As believers, like Abraham (Genesis 18:17-33), we can pray for the salvation and deliverance of the city and the nation; and like Elijah (1 Kings 18: 41-48; James 5: 16-18), we can prevail on God for the heavens to open and release blessings on the nation, because of our righteousness in Christ.
The church corporately must use these meetings to mobilise an army of intercessors that can and will ‘stand in the gap’ (Ezekiel 22: 30-31) for our families, communities, cities, nation and continent.
That we have begun requires that we continue to press on the heavens until God hears and intervenes in the affairs of our beloved nation (Isaiah 64: 1-4).
The phenomenon is global.
Here is a testimony from Zaba of Manzini Christian Community Church in Swaziland, which I picked up on the Internet: “The lunch hour fellowship has given me an opportunity to maintain a steady connection to God and yield to Him as He reveals Himself.
“I have learnt to live with Him, talk to Him and feel Him more in my life. I sense God so close to me on a personal level that at times it is as though He is literally shaking my hand. I love Him more and thanks for the lunch hour fellowship.”
What happens if it is raining or something prohibits believers from attending?
What’s the solution?
Some people are now turning to social networking forums on the Internet.
There are many of them now on Facebook, Twitter and others. Since it is a new terrain with people communicating with other people in time and space, it is important to have the spirit of discernment before committing oneself.
When you see people religiously doing what they are doing, then it is an indicator that it is serving its purpose.
So be it that the body of Christ, continues steadfastly in the apostles’ doctrine and fellowship, in the breaking of bread, and in prayers . . . (and continue) daily with one accord in the temple . . . praising God and having favour with all the people, so that the Lord adds to the church daily those being saved (Acts 2: 42-47).
Forthcoming events
Event: Gumhano – The African Apostolic Church
Date: February 19
Venue: Rudhaka Stadium, Marondera
Time: 10:30 am – 4 pm
Contact: 0774 177 346/0712 611 788
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Event: Single Parents and Widows Conference
Host: Amai M Chipunza, School of Deliverance
Dates: February 24-27
Venue: Karumazondo Farm, Marondera
Theme: Supernatural providence (1 Kings 17:19)
Contact: 04-772830-1; 0714 127 391
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Event: Hatfield Worship Centre Conference
Date: February 29
Time: 1:00 – 5:00 pm
Theme: Are you a “small house”; do you have one, are you seeing someone or is your spouse seeing someone?
Facilitator: Rev C Chidimuro
Venue: Hatfield Worship Centre, Elgin and Kilwining Road, Hatfield.
Contact: 0773 296 818/0772 674 850
[email protected]
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Event: Holy Mass to celebrate the life of the late Sr Sturmia Denk CPS, one of Monte Cassino Girls’ Secondary School founders in 1961.
Date: February 26
Time: 12:30pm
Venue: Catholic Cathedral, 4th Street/Herbert Chitepo
Contact: Sr. Martina Gwavava CPS, 0772441470
or [email protected];
[email protected]
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Event: Zifepa Forum
Date: February 25
Theme: Increase of Poor Quality Graduate and Post-Graduate Degrees in Zimbabwe especially in Theology and Church Ministry – What to do.
Venue: Zima, 8th St/Baines Ave.
Time: 10:30-12:30pm
Presenter: Professor Ezra Chitando
Respondent: Dr Noah Pashapa
Contacts: 0772924594; 077221864.
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Event: National Women’s Conference
Theme: Arise and Shine: Beauty Restored, Destiny Fulfilled
Host: Pastor Bonnie Deuschle
Dates: March 10-12
Venue: Celebration Centre, 162 Swan Drive, Borrowdale
Speakers: Local and International
Contact: 0777368903; 0777368904
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Event: Alfa Ladies International – Prayer and Fasting “Camp Nzara”
Dates: March 4 – 6
Theme: Wrestling in Prayer (Ephesians 6:10-12)
Speakers: Overseer C Chiyangwa; Pastor L Gatsi and Mai Zinyemba
Venue: AMFICC, Waterfalls
Contact: 0712972211; 0772370564.
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To God be the glory and honour, forever and ever!
Note to readers: Send your church’s special events conferences, anniversaries, crusades, book launches, etc: to
[email protected]
or [email protected] in the subject line put, Divine Appointments.
Online Reporter