The Sunday Mail
The Heartfelt International Ministries (HIM) celebrated its seventh anniversary last week at their International Overflow Centre (IOC) in Ashdown Park, Harare.
The commemorations saw Ugandan Pastor Robert and wife Jessica Kayanja from the Robert Kayanja Ministries attending. The couple came all the way from, Kampala, Uganda with a delegation of six people to attend the Sunday service which was also part of the commemorations.
Other visitors from HIM’s South Africa, Malawi, Mozambique and Dubai Zones flew in to attend the well celebrated event. The Sunday Mail had an opportunity to interview the Chief Executive Officer and Co-founder of HIM, Pastor Chipo Vutabwashe (P.C.V)
Below is a question and answer prepared by our writer, Sharon Kavhu (S.K) in line with the commemoration.
S.K: How was Heartfelt birthed?
P.C.V: Heartfelt was birthed in the spirit, founded by the General of Jehovah – Apostle Tavonga Vutabwashe and launched on 21 November 2010. It was established with the vision: ‘To perpetuate the Ministry of Jesus Christ on earth by obeying the great commission, balancing high spirituality and high professionalism, creating a home for all races where gifts and skills are discovered, developed and celebrated.’
S.K: To what extent has this vision been implemented?
P.C.V: I can say we are halfway in its implementation. We are on our way to the reality of what the man of God saw concerning Heartfelt International Ministries.
S.K: What have been the most memorable moments in this journey?
P.C.V: 14 November 2010 when our family stood before the congregation to say goodbye to our former Ministry. It was not easy. Up to now I cannot forget that day- we felt God was calling us somewhere, at the same moment we had to leave a place we had called home. Apostle Tavonga said ‘ I don’t want to go with anyone. I’m only going with my family, sons and daughters. The moment was both sad and exciting. Not all things done in life are easy yet they must be done.
As the Ladies’ Department, we were excited to do God’s work when the Ministry was launched. We made financial contributions and bought a truck in less than a year. When Apostle got in the truck to dedicate it, it was a very exciting moment for we had achieved something big in a short space of time.
S.K: What are the major challenges you faced and how did you overcome them, what drives you and keeps you fighting for the fulfillment of your assignment despite the challenges?
P.C.V: We faced a lot of challenges in our journey of pursuing what God sent us to do. I will just mention a few of the challenges:
Firstly the issue of rentals. When we started we were renting halls for services, renting office space, hiring chairs – everything was rented or hired except the sound system. We would spend $3,600 per service (ie two services per week meant a cost of $7,200). Glory be to God who delivered us from rentals – in 2014 we moved to this place, the International Overflow Centre-our own place. Secondly, we had a challenge of Pastors leaving the Ministry between 2013 and 2014. At one point, 13 Pastors left the Ministry at the same time. That was one moment which would have crushed us. However, during such moments, God would give us strategies to overcome and move on. The time when there was a mass exodus of Pastors is the time we decided to build the IOC. We built the IOC – 3000 seater Auditorium in two months. All things work together for the good to those who love God, to those called according to his purpose according to Romans 8: 28. God gave us hope that with God, we can do it. It’s not about the people with us, what is important is that God is with us.
S.K: How has this Ministry been instrumental in contributing to positive the impact in the community?
P.C.V: We have contributed to supply of clean water in Ashdown Park. We thank God for giving us the IOC which has two rivers flowing beneath it. God gave it to us for free so we will continue to give water to others for free so that they do not struggle to get water.
Our church was the first church to do community clean ups and supplying branded bins. We were most appreciated by the Mabelreign Counselor and Community for that gesture.
S.K: What’s in store for HIM in the next 10years?
P.C.V: If God has taken us this far in seven years, more is coming in the next 10 years. We will now primarily focus on development. I can see HIM owning a city- Richland City. I am seeing prophecies and declarations of the Man of God coming to pass – we will see millionaires and billionaires rising in this Ministry. We will build schools, hospitals, universities, facilities that will impact the society not just this Ministry. Our 20,000 seater Auditorium and Conference centre at Richland City will be completed.
S.K: From Biblical references, it seems seven is a significant number-7 days in a week, God rested on day 7, walls of Jericho fell on the 7th day. It is by God’s grace that Heartfelt is turning 7-is it coincidence or providence that Heartfelt is turning 7 at such a time. What is the significance of this 7th year to Heartfelt and to our nation?
P.C.V: The number 7 itself is the number of perfection. I believe for HIM (and all who believed, submitted to and partnered with this Ministry), this is a season and time for God to perfect anything concerning our lives. The Jericho wall is falling in this 7th year. This is your moment of rest from all your adversaries. To the nation of Zimbabwe, this is not a coincidence, it is also time for Zimbabwe to receive rest from whichever area of struggle. It is not a person bringing rest but it is God Himself bringing rest to Zimbabwe. It’s not about who is in power. If we know and believe, in this 7th year of Heartfelt, God is also addressing issues concerning the nation of Zimbabwe. God is about to perfect everything concerning this nation.
