Senior pastors skid on anointing oil

Gibson Mhaka
ZIMBABWE Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) church has suspended two of its senior pastors for selling anointing oil in church; saying the duo was acting against the churchaï¿½ï¿½s beliefs and teachings.

The church stripped Pastor Jephias Gadzika (PICTURED) and his wife Virginia who were based at Kuwadzana Extension in Harare of their ministerial credentials for selling anointing oil to congregants.

In a notice supported by the scripture (James 5:14), the church announced that the two pastors were disciplined by the churchaï¿½ï¿½s board. The full notice reads: aï¿½?The Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA), Day to Day Advisory Board wish to inform the public that Jephias and Virginia Gadzika were disciplined by the Board for selling anointing oil in the Church. ZAOGA believes, teaches and accepts the use of anointing oil in light of scriptures but we do not sell it. Jesus never sold anointing oilaï¿½?.

Sources from the church said the two pastors were making a killing selling the aï¿½?holy liquidaï¿½? for between $5 and $10.

Although, the two pastors could not be located for comment, ZAOGA secretary-general Dr Washington Rupapa confirmed their suspension.Aï¿½ He, however, refused to shed more light saying only the church board was privy to such details.

aï¿½?Itaï¿½ï¿½s true that the two pastors were suspended for violating the rules of the church by selling anointing oil. I canaï¿½ï¿½t say much since these issues of discipline are only privy to the churchaï¿½ï¿½s board,aï¿½? he said.

Led by its founder Apostle Ezekiel Guti, ZAOGA has a major following in various countries across the world.

Dr Guti once took a swipe at emerging prophets who seek anointment from foreign spiritual fathers and import anointing oil for resale to church members, labelling them aï¿½?ignorantaï¿½?.