Thanksgiving and Dedication Service attracts foreign delegations

THOUSANDS of congregants, among them foreigners, yesterday thronged the Zimbabwe International Exhibition Centre’s Hall 4 in Bulawayo to attend the 7th edition of the annual National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service.

President Mnangagwa addressed the gathering.

It was a hive of activity, as Christians from as far as the United Kingdom and Zambia swarmed the venue of the annual event, creating a sea of colour in clothes, creed and language, signifying a united people bound by motive-to pray for the nation.

The National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service is held annually at the end of December during which interdenominational church leaders meet as they seek divine interventions to address national challenges.

Yesterday, church leaders prayed for continued peace, development, the attainment of the President’s Vision 2030 and for God to bless him with longevity to enable the country’s First Citizen to drive the country’s development.

Musical choirs drawn from various churches provided scintillating and spirit-lifting entertainment with the eye-catching performance coming from the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) Mbungo Stars dance. In interviews, some youths who were attending the event for the first time vowed not to miss future events.

“I have never attended this and I always thought it was just one of those adult gatherings but today I saw some of my age mates and peers here. The performances were very exciting,” said Thembani Moyo.

An elderly woman, Mrs Thokozile Dube said for the nation to be blessed such gatherings must be held regularly.

“We are a prayerful people and once we unite in prayer our country will be prosperous. Let us not be worried about what outsiders tell us but focus on getting blessings from God,” she said.

Since its inception seven years ago, President Mnangagwa has been gracing the event.

The service is organised by the Faith for the Nation Campaign, an inter-denominational grouping of local churches.

This year’s service was held under the theme: “A time to unite and continue working hard with God’s help to build and develop our nation.”
Faith for Nation Campaign founder and chairperson, Apostle Andrew Wutawunashe said it is important for the nation to gather in prayer and seek God’s intervention to national challenges.

“This is indeed a great event when interdenominational churches gather in place to pray for a single purpose. It is truly inspiring to see that this has turned into quite a big event and is nationally noticed,” he said.

“We now even have visitors from countries in Europe and the region praying with us. This goes to show just how blessed our country is. We have a truly inspiring President and we want to pray to God to continue guiding him in building this great nation.”

Apostle Wutawunashe said in 2017, following the coming in of the Second Republic, they held discussions with President Mnangagwa who agreed that the service was a good idea.

He said since then the Presidium has graced the National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service. Apostle Wutawunashe said President Mnangagwa has been promoting the concept of praying for the nation.

“We prayed for peace and now we pray for rains and abundant harvest. We also want to pray for a healthy nation that is free of disease and pestilence. We also pray for God’s intervention in the drug and substance scourge that is threatening our society,” said Apostle Wutawunashe.

He said Zimbabweans should be grateful that the Lord had blessed the country as it has not been affected by natural disasters, plagues and wars.
Among the dignitaries who attended the event were Acting President Constantino Chiwenga, Bulawayo Provincial Affairs and Devolution Minister Judith Ncube.