The Sunday Mail
Tendai Manzvanzvike Divine Appointments
WHEN a person knows who they are in Christ, they are confident, good citizens and effective children of God, says Evangelist (Mrs) Beullah Machiri (BM), founder of Servants of God Ministries, that reaches out to people in Epworth and Mabvuku, among other areas. She underscores that Jesus Christ is our boss and the Holy Spirit our teacher, and that our manual in this life is the Bible. But she is also worried about the large number of singles in the church whom she says through no fault of their own, some are found doing things under the carpet and end up with self-condemnation.
This then leads to isolation amongst other believers as well as distancing oneself from the relationship with God. Recently, her ministry organised a unique event dubbed “A Night with the King”, which aimed at bringing “love” issues to the table. She spoke with Tendai Manzvanzvike (TM) about her passion to see Christian marriages thrive, and singles getting married.
TM: The last time we spoke in 2014, you were with Esthers for the Nations. I understand that there are new developments. Shed some light.
BM: The name of the ministry changed to Servants of God, for we no longer focus on women, but on both men and women, because we are all citizens of heaven. So, the change in name is to accommodate men who are now also coming to the ministry. We still share the same vision, and are still the same people that believe in worshipping God, in Spirit and in truth. Our standard is the word of God, and the Holy Spirit is our guide. For only when we walk by the Spirit are we able to commune with Him.
TM: You recently held a function for single ladies and guys at a hotel in the capital. What was it?
BM: A Night with the King was a prophetic event seeking to address the issues of delay in marriage and unstable marriages. But first and foremost, the King is Jesus. So single people and couples were coming to spend time with the King. Apart from the spiritual king, it was also a search for the physical king. You know, for Ruth to meet Boaz, it took Naomi. Now we are taking responsibility as servants of God. Churches are full of single women and to a less extent men who are seeking to get married. What do we do with them? Do we just pray for them and say it is enough, God will locate you, or we encourage them, and create a platform like this? These single people’s social lives seem to now have been crippled, for as born again Christians, they can’t go to the places they previously patronised, thus, defining Christianity as boring, dull and limiting. A Night with the King afforded singles an opportunity to dine and dance in a free but exciting environment.
TM: What prompted you to come up with the idea?
BM: Remember, when I started the ministry, it was all ladies, and, three quarters of them were single. Even now, in different churches, that is the scenario. So, we were wondering where the guys were, and we have a range of 25 to 40-year-olds still waiting to get married. Is this just a Zimbabwean problem, or it’s global?
TM: Who attended?
BM: Those invited to attend the event were couples to revive and renew their marriage covenants. It was also a night for single ladies and single guys from Bible believing churches, as this was a platform for them to meet and get acquainted with other Christians in a good and open environment for Godly Christian relationships. A variety of churches were represented as people came from various denominations – Catholics, Pentecostals, the Charismatics were all unified by the same joy in Jesus. The word shared by the guest preacher, Reverend Muparutsa was, “What brand are you as a single lady or single guy looking to get married?” He said, be a brand pleasing to the Lord in order to walk into your destiny. Couples and singles arrived in style looking very elegant and ready to celebrate.
TM: What was the underlying principle in this endevour?
BM: My sister, the time to go to basics is now. This is the time to have a Naomi for every Ruth and Vashtis are being replaced fast by Esthers. Read the book of Esther in the Bible. Emphasis throughout the whole night was on singles having correct mentorship. Esther found herself on the throne because of her beauty that struck the king, but it was Mordecai’s mentorship that kept her there. The sure voice of Isaiah guided Hezekiah. In order to have men of valour, we need those that are ready to be guided and make God’s word a standard for their lives.
TM: Some would say that these were blind dates. What is your response, and what was the mood and feeling like?
BM: Blind dates, not at all! As servants of God, we do not believe in dating. There are no such things as dating in the Bible. It’s courtship, that comes with rules and regulations, such as no sex before marriage. The single ladies seemed excited and expectant. They displayed a great deal of faith and as in the book of Esther, went to a great length in preparing for the event, spirit, soul and body. The guys on the other hand seemed to be worried that they would find themselves married the next day. They too showed interest, but guys’ attendance was not to our expectation.
From the interviews with guys, they seemed to be specific and detailed on what they want as compared to ladies who just put their trust in God. When speaking to and counseling most single people, you find out that most of them, especially ladies, are ready to get married, but find it hard to meet Mister right.
TM: Is marriage, or being equally yoked as Paul writes to the Corinthians, that important for you and the ministry?
BM: We encourage Godly marriages through courtship for a certain period of time. By the end of it, the couple will be ready for a marriage and know if they can co-exist with one another as husband and wife. We also encourage sex after marriage. Let me say that pastors from different churches were very supportive as they liked the idea of this event. To encourage openness and accountability, pastors recommended their own single guys and ladies.
TM: Final remarks.
BM: Mordecai’s mentorship ushered Esther to a royal position. Naomi’s guidance and mentorship helped Ruth to enter her destiny. God created marriage. If marriages must happen and stand, then it should begin with God. That is the reason for Night with the King. We also cannot continue to be quiet about issues bothering the people that we minister to daily. You cannot stand behind the pulpit and talk about how good God is without addressing issues that should be addressed publicly. Let’s go to the private issues because it is the private scene that is ruining the kingdom of God. So we are saying let’s expose satan. Let’s have these people married. It was like that in the Bible. Why then should we not have Godly marriages now? If we are to bring out the whole person, we have to address all their needs, and this is a major need. You cannot accept a person’s offering and tithe, and then not be interested in that person’s life. That’s what I believe. I know that since a Night with the King was birthed in faith, it will bring reforms to marriages, and reduce or eliminate divorce. Proceeds realised from this event will aim to feed the needy in our midst under a hunger eradication campaign dubbed 5000 smiles. To date we have fed thousands and clothed many families. With one purpose in mind, we want to show orphans and widows that life can be more than just a fight for survival, by sharing the joy of food and clothes.
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