Thousands expected at 7th Annual National Thanksgiving, Dedication Service

The Annual Thanksgiving and Dedication Service has proved to be a very colourful and meaningful service for the nation of Zimbabwe as it has drawn people from all walks of life and of different religious persuasions and beliefs under an umbrella of thanksgiving for our great nation.

This year marks the seventh of this annual service that has revealed the nation’s willingness to acknowledge God’s hand and grace in its progress and development.

Thousands are expected at this service to give thanks to God for the peace, progress and development we have seen in the nation owed entirely to God’s grace and favour.

Coming on the backdrop of elections, it is remarkable to note the peace and tranquillity we enjoy in the nation, something we should be grateful for as peace and unity are the two bedrocks on which a progressive nation is built.

His Excellency President Emmerson Mnangagwa is expected to attend the service, which will be held at the Zimbabwe International Trade Fair (ZITF) Hall Four on December 31. Its significance is that it is a platform where believers meet the country’s leadership to intercede for the nation, an ingredient that is pivotal to the rise of any nation.

When a nation acknowledges God, it attracts great blessings and progress as echoed in the scripture, “Blessed is the nation whose God is the Lord.”

In an interview, Apostle Andrew Wutawunashe, founder of one of the oldest Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe, Family of God Church and chairperson of the Faith for Nation campaign said they decided to host the service every year to give thanks to God for everything that would have happened throughout the year.

“The service of thanksgiving and dedication is also to dedicate the nation’s leaders for the coming year,” said Apostle Wutawunashe.

He said the annual Thanksgiving and Dedication Service is the climax of an annual seven-day convention which always starts on December 24 and runs until January 1, with worship, teachings, preaching and fellowship punctuating the convention.

The Thanksgiving service always runs on the Sunday of the seven-day span of the convention.

“Since there are two Sundays, we choose the 31st of December as the date to hold this important service. On this day, people from across the globe are expected to gather and pray for the leaders who are going to take the mantle in 2024.

“It is a very important service because as churches, we will take time to dedicate our leadership to God and also give thanks for the previous year,” said Apostle Wutawunashe.

He said about 10 000 people have attended previous editions of the prayer service and an overflow is expected this year.

“We are looking forward to seeing different guests and denominations in attendance with a capacity of over 10 000 people,” he said.

Apostle Wutawunashe said the service is not only to pray and dedicate leaders but it also unites Christian churches and brings them together. It is a unique time of a cross-pollination of ideas and affords one the opportunity to enter the new year with renewed hope and faith.

The service is an international gathering which will be broadcast on ZBC TV and various social media platforms.

Apostle Wutawunashe said people should look forward to the President’s address.

“We have walked a six-year journey with this service,” he said.

The first edition of the Zimbabwe National Thanksgiving and Dedication Service was held in December 2017 after the birth of the New Dispensation. President Mnangagwa has graced the event every year since then.