The Sunday Mail
Date of Birth: March 3, 1957
Place of Birth: Mberengwa, Zimbabwe
Homestead: Mount Darwin, Zimbabwe
Apostle Charles Chiriseri was the founder and senior pastor of His Presence Ministries International Church. His mentorship and teachings inspired many sons, daughters, leaders and works in the market place and Christian circles in Zimbabwe, South Africa,Botswana, Zambia, Malawi, United Kingdom, USA, Norway, Sweden, Australia, Canada and other places.
A holder of a Bachelor of Science Honours degree in Agriculture, a Management Development Program (MDP) Diploma, both from the University of Zimbabwe, as well as many other Diplomas and Certificates in Christian ministry, leadership, evangelism explosion and corporate governance, Apostle Chiriseri was a church leader of integrity for almost 40 years.
He founded Family of God church (1981) then handed it over to Reverend Andrew Wutaunashe. Apostle Chiriseri was still a student and chairman of the University of Zimbabwe Christian Union when he founded FOG, after inviting Joe Kayo. He also co-founded City Pentecostal Assembly in Bulawayo, (PAOZ) (1992), together with Canadian Missionary Pastor Colin Gregg, after which he was promoted to a senior management post in Harare by PG Industries.
Apostle Chiriseri was Youth Pastor for PAOZ Kwekwe. He was also Senior Pastor of Faith Ministries after Bishop Ngwiza Mkandla.
He attended the Azuza Centennial Celebration in California, USA, where both he and his wife were officially commissioned to become church planters. They came back and in obedience to God’s call, started HPMI on 13 August, 2006.
Apostle Chiriseri assisted in planting and establishing Good News Church, Word of Life, Word of Faith and Glad Tidings in support of his friends Pastors Mapani, Goodwill Shana, Ephiel Mukamuri and Richmond Chiundiza. He left his business Brandts Butcheries, TM Meats factory as well as Athlone Butchery where he had partnered with friend Themba Musekiwa, to go into full time ministry at His Presence Ministries International Church.
Apostle Chiriseri started off as a planning officer in the Ministry of Agriculture (1982- 1983). He worked his way up to the position of senior manager at PG Building Supplies in Harare (1984- 1993). He was the Director of TransTimber Merchants before establishing the 40 outlets of Brandts Butchery in Harare. He believed in and taught about the importance of impacting for God’s glory, what he termed the seven pillars of society namely the church, the family, governance/politics, business, education, information communications technology and media/arts and entertainment pillars.
Apostle Chiriseri was the founder and president of Transform Your World Leadership Institute (TYWLI), which consists of a popular Bible School that has so far trained leaders from over 30 different denominations. TYWLI is an ACTEZ affiliate (Association of Christian Theological Educators in Zimbabwe) and a partner of CONNECT Counselling Centre, Bible Training Centre for Pastors (BTCP), John Maxwell’s Million Leaders Mandate, Team Impact University, National Centre for Fathering in Zimbabwe and Legacy School of Marriage.
TYWLI and its partners are positively impacting the seven pillars of society. Apostle Chiriseri was member of the Troika Secretariat for Zimbabwe Bishops Peace Initiative and Mediation Team where he worked with two other Bishops to foster peace in the nation. He also founded Impact Trust, the Corporate Social Responsibility arm of HPMI Church which is involved in the care and rehabilitation of the underprivileged, specifically orphaned and homeless people in the streets and prisoners.
He was also Coordinator of Southern African Apostles and Bishops for the Council of African Apostles. Apostle Chiriseri co-authored “The 12 Foundations of Marriage” together with his wife Apostle Pertunia who was recently commissioned by President Mugabe to become a Commissioner of the Zimbabwe Human Rights Commission.
The book has nurtured and enriched many marriages, restored the broken hearted and broken families and discipled university students and singles through its practical Bible-based teachings. The couple is blessed with four biological children —Yasha, Lisa, Zoe and Nissi and eight foster children — Tanya, Nyasha, Kiki, Thabani, Nyasha Mhlanga and his brothers; as well as many spiritual children.
The dynamic couple hosted numerous life-changing international conferences, bringing speakers such as Pastors Matthew and Yemisi Ashimolowo, Deitrick Haddon, Dr Nevers Mumba and others. Apostle Chiriseri was a mentor, spiritual father, friend and confidante to many pastors, politicians, corporate leaders, youth and university leaders.
Orbituary sourced by Tendai Manzvanzvike
