The Sunday Mail
Desire Ncube
ZION Christian Church founder Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi last weekend asked his 500 000 followers to withdraw subscriptions from a leading local assurance company for allegedly reneging on contractual obligations.
Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi leads in dance at a ZCC gathering early this year in Bikita
It is understood that the company stands to lose monthly revenue of US$2 million.
Bishop Mutendi was speaking at the annual gathering of Zionist pilgrims at Defe Dopota in Gokwe, which was this year themed “Zuva raSamere”.
“We have been working with (this assurance company) and you all know what has been happening. They were not living up to their promises and as a church we cannot continue working with them. If you belong to us then listen to what we are saying: as a church we no longer have anything to do with them,” said Bishop Mutendi.
The assurance company deals in funeral cover, medical aid and life assurance among other services made headlines a few months ago for raising monthly subscriptions without informing clients.
Zionist pilgrims had gathered for the annual celebrations of the life of their founding prophet, Reverend Samuel Mutendi, who died on July 20, 1976 at Defe Dopota Mission.
Rev Mutendi is known as a powerful preacher, faith healer and rain maker.
While he taught followers to pray and acknowledge the love of God, he also healed people with holy water and his holy rod.
Bishop Mutendi attributed the church’s rise to hard work and the work of the Spirit that visited his father in 1913.
He spoke at length about love, quoting John 13:34.
“A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. It doesn’t matter that we have been coming here for the past 39 years, as long as we don’t love one another we are wasting our time,” said Bishop Mutendi.
Bishop Mutendi added his voice to the debate of emerging prophets encouraging people to listen to the voice of God rather than just following blindly. “God does not raise a prophet for nothing. He raises one when there is a need. When Samere (Rev Samuel) was raised there was a need for people who were colonised and the oppressors were distorting the Bible for their benefit. So God saw it fit to raise Rev Samere Mutendi to protect his word,” Bishop Mutendi said.
Congregants from the United States, Britain, Canada, China, South Africa, Namibia, and Zambia among other countries joined their Zimbabwean colleagues for the annual pilgrimage.
Masvingo brought pilgrims on 88 buses – 28 more than last year.
Female members of the Zion Christian Church are known for their dancing skills
After Bishop Mutendi’s sermon, members participated in mountain climbing, an experience they believe is sacred as it symbolises meeting with God. The church received two buses and two trucks from Heritage Life Limited. The buses, assembled by AVM Africa, will be used by church members in the event of bereavements.
AVM senior official Mr Jacob Kupa said they assembled the buses to suit the needs of rural communities.
“We would like to appreciate our working together with Heritage Life Group managing director Mr Gershem Mutero. The buses will be used in the rural areas in the event of bereavements. We are happy that today we are witnessing ZCC receiving them,” said Mr Kupa.
