adminI caught up with Evangelist Saungweme soon after he returned from a successful crusade at Zimbiru Primary School in Domboshava just outside Harare.
The crusade ran from July 25 to July 28.
Evangelist Saungweme thanked the Lord for the thousands of people who braced the chilly weather to attend the crusade where close to 1 000 souls gave their lives to Christ.
Below is an interview Tendai Manzvanzvike (TM) had with Evangelist Saungweme (ES).
TM: Briefly tell us who Evangelist Saungweme, and the Jesus for Africa Evangelistic Ministries are.
ES: Thank you for this opportunity. I was born in 1957 and I was called into ministry, as an evangelist at an early age. I have a passion for preaching the word of God to as many people as possible.
I gave my life to Christ in 1975, and trained as a pastor at the African Multinational for Christ College (AMFCC). I am married to Winnie and we have four wonderful sons.
Now about the ministry, I can briefly say that we see our mandate as winning souls for Jesus Christ based on what the Bible says in Matthew 28:19 (“Go ye therefore and teach all nations baptising them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Ghost”).
Through His grace we have done that, not only around Zimbabwe, but the region as well. Since we started the ministry, I’d say that we have stuck to reaching out to as many souls as possible through these open-air crusades.
TM: Are you confident that the people in Zimbabwe have a relationship with Jesus and are not following personalities and claims of miracles?
ES: People may have personality preferences but my mission is to remove people from personalities and focus them on Jesus Christ, the author and finisher of our faith.
TM: Issues about gospel of prosperity, which is now being coined as “gospelneurship” — how do you view this? Is it wrong to preach about prosperity, and is it against Biblical principles?
ES: The Gospel of Christ encompasses a wide spectrum of issues and should be preached in its fullness covering issues of salvation by faith, redemption, deliverance, empowerment and material blessings. Issues like righteousness, purity, holiness and faithfulness should not be neglected and of course, the power of God to perform miracles should not be limited.
TM: Is the body of Christ in Zimbabwe united toward the same purpose — the Lord Jesus? How best can this body operate for the good of the Kingdom of God?
ES: There may be areas of disunity but the situation has improved over the years as witnessed by many pastors preaching across different pulpits across the denominational divide.
However, we pray that churches continue to work together in facing a common enemy, Satan.
The gospel of Christ should be preached to all nations and corners of our country and continent as far as Binga, Muzarabani, Dande valley. Churches must be united in support of evangelistic endeavours.
Let me also add that between now and December, we will have open-air crusades in Ruwa, Epworth and Nyanga.
TM: There are many issues that we can discuss, but what are your parting words?
ES: We urge individuals as well as the corporate world to support the work of evangelism as such work benefits the nation and the world as a whole. We have seen the power of God removing people from streets: thieves, murderers and prostitutes being turned into industrious people for the betterment of mankind.
The ministry’s preaching moulds God-fearing and law-abiding citizens who will in turn be employed by the corporate world and increase profitability. The gospel also helps in the governance of the nation.
So, let us all rally together (in order) to reach out to lost souls and in so doing, help us help those in material need in areas such as clothing, blankets, food, amomg other things, according to James 2:14-16: “What doth it profit, my brethren, though a man say he hath faith, and have not works?
“Can faith save him? If a brother or sister be naked, and destitute of daily food, And one of you say unto them, Depart in peace, be ye warmed and filled; notwithstanding ye give them not those things which are needful to the body; what doth it profit?” (KJV)
TM: Thank you Evangelist for your time.
Events Calendar
Event: Tabernacle of Worship Ministries Conference 2012
Dates: August 12 to 14
Venue: AMFICC, Zaoga Waterfalls
Theme: “Let God Arise” (Psalm 68: 1)
Time: 9am to 9pm
Hosts: Bishop Rodger and Monica Jefrey
Speakers: Overseer N. Mparutsa (PAOZ); Rev C. Jonasi
Contact: 0772305488; 0775891709; 0774136169
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Event: Dream5 International Convention
Dates: August 10-13
Venue: Dreamlife International Ministries Centre, St Mary’s Chigovanyika, Chitungwiza
Time: 6pm-8:30pm; 8-8:30pm
Theme: “Apostolic Order”: Ruling from the Heavenlies (Ephesians 2:6)
Guest Speaker: Apostle Shame Chibwe (Zambia)
Speakers: Prophetess Anne Pravda (SA), Rev Lucy Vanessa Jacobs (Zimbabwe) and Mr Nigel Chanakira
Host: Bishop Godrefy Rosi, Dreamlife International Ministries
Contact: 0772935946
E-mail: [email protected]
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Event: Holy Ghost Conference 2012 — Word of Life International Ministries
Dates: August 9 to 12
Venue: Zimbabwe International Trade Fair Hall 3
Theme: Release the Power
Hosts: Dr Goodwill and Pastor M.B. Shana — Word of Life International Ministries
Speakers: Dr Goodwill Shana; Pastor M.B. Shana; Dr T.S. Muligwe; Apostle I. Sithole (SA)
Contact: +263-9-60891; +263-737276850; +263-774318306
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Event: Season of Enlargement Conference
Date: September 1
Venue: Christian Marching Church (CMC), opposite Dombojena, New Tafara
Time: 10am to 1pm
Hosts: Pastors Windrose and Portia
Speakers: Nigel Chanakira; Pastors Philip and Charlotte Pike; Apostle B. Java; Pastor Jonathan Binene (DRC)
Contact: 0772767693; 0777607345; 0772551892
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Event: Manifest Glory Conference 2012 — Glorious Faith Ministries International
Dates: August 10 to 12
Venue: Morgan High School — Arcadia
Theme: Manifestation of the Sons of God (Romans 8: 17-19)
Speakers: Apostle Chisunga; Bishop Tarupuwa and others
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Event: Kingdom Ndaba — Jabula New Life Ministries International
Dates: August 8 to 12
Venue: Harare International Conference Centre
Theme: The Next Ten Years!
Guest Speakers: Dr Mike Murdock; Bishop John Francis (UK); Dr Mensa Otabil, (Ghana) and more
Hosts: Bishop Tudor and Pastor Chichi Bismark — Jabula New Life Ministries International
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Event: 2012 ManWorld Convention
Dates: August 29 to 31
Speakers: Prophet Uebert Angel and Prophet E. Makandiwa
Venue: Harare City Sports Centre
Contact: +26377-4-389281; +263779548825
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Event: Pentecostal Conference — St Angels Apostolic Faith Church
Date: August 15
Venue: Kadzidirire Primary School — Gokwe North
Theme: Raising Prophetic Generation
Host: Pastor Mutsata
Guest speakers: Bishop T.M. Maidza; Prophet A.B. Seremani
Speakers: Vice-Bishop E. Shoko; Overseer N. Mbedzi; Pastors G. Janga, R. Kambira, H. Mufanechiya and many more
Contact: 0772330630; 0733734148; 0733870309
Event: Musangano Wematumba — Mabasa Ezviratidzo Apostolic Church
Dates: August 16 to 26
Venue: Goneso, Wedza
Speaker: Bishop Colin Mutasa :
Contact: 0772958814; 0733230868; 055-68280
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“I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made.” (Psalm 139:14)
tendai.manzvanzvike@zimpapers. co.zw
Online Reporter