daniel chigunwe
Arron Nyamayaro
A CHURCH leader, who dressed himself in rags, to appear like a destitute, and was pushed into the church in a wheelchair has told H-Metro it was all a stunt to try and gauge how his church members would receive someone in a similar predicament.
Pastor Preston Maporisa of House of Grace Ministries dumped his usual suits and opted for some rags while he also dumped his car and asked to be pushed into the Sunday service on a wheelchair.
Some photographs of Pastor Maporisa went viral soon after the service.
His church members failed to recognise him and gave him a poor reception as he was “begging” for a helping hand.
While many of them were focusing on their pastor’s vehicle, outside the temple, expecting him to finally emerge, they were surprised to hear the voice of their leader ministering in the church while seated on a wheelchair.
“Our church members failed to recognise me,” said Pastor Maporisa.
“The church has lost its light and power due to the love of money.
“When they saw my vehicle arriving with a driver, they all paid attention to him and neglected me because I was in rags.
“Most of the people have lost the agape love, they love the one who gives them something and that is eroding the power of the gospel.
“Good news must be preached to the poor, blind, captives and even those in prison.
“God loves everyone including beggars, vagrants, street kids, orphans, widowers and widows.”
He urged the church to consider finding ways of helping street kids.
Pastor Maporisa told H-Metro that the correct interpretation of the gospel is in its application.
“We have a number of people failing to meet their opportunities by neglecting their neighbours.
“They do not pay attention to people around them and are looking for a breakthrough from people far away from them.
“Nherera, varombo nevanokamhina tinavo nguva dzose naizvozvo Mwari achatibvunza kuti wakandiwona ndine nzara ukasandipa chekudya, wakandiwona ndirimujeri ukasandishanyira.
“God is too big to be understood by humans and He reveals himself in different forms.
“Let the church open its eyes and be relevant in all communities,” said Pastor Maporisa.
Mathew Masinge
Online Reporter