The Sunday Mail
Founder and Senior Pastor of Celebration Church Tom Deuschle turned 60 this year. While his birthday was in February, he held his birthday celebrations only recently. To mark his sixth decade of life, Pastor Tom climbed Africa’s tallest peak, Mt Kilimanjaro, in an effort to raise funds for disadvantaged children. Tendai Manzvanzvike (TM) spoke to Pastor Tom (TD) about this and other issues.
TM: Birthdays mean different things to different people, what does turning 60 mean to you?
TD: My 60th birthday means many things, but one that resonates with my heart is gratitude towards God. And, as a demonstration of this, He gave me the next level of grace to raise money for 60 orphans whom we call “celebrated children”, so we can relocate them to a place they can call home, that is, the same as a place where I would raise my biological children.
So, to make sure I achieve this, I decided that at 60, I will climb Kilimanjaro, climbing 6km to the highest point in Africa.
TM: What motivated you, and why Mt Kilimanjaro?
TD: The needs of the orphans and obedience to God’s word that “true religion is to look after orphans and widows” motivated me. If in this life we can all endeavour to change one person’s life, just one, this world would be a pleasant place to live in.
Now I can promise you, climbing Kilimanjaro is no easy task. Many times I prayed for a miracle and I realised the miracle was to walk the talk. Once at the summit, it felt like a miracle. Many 60-year-olds will tell you it’s no easy task to get to 60.
TM: Considering that you are a well-known personality in business circles, churches and society in general, couldn’t you get sponsorship from these groups?
TD: Please note that this is not about me. It never has been, and those who want to help must be convicted from the heart. It is about legacies and what they mean to each person as an individual and as organisations.
TM: How many people took part and how long did it take you to prepare spiritually, physically and materially?
TD: Fourteen courageous men and women, yes women were represented too. Among the people involved were the likes of Nigel Chanakira, Natalie Hallowes, Brian Chonyera, Nat Olsen, Tommy Deuschle, Tim Bickers, Isaac Jeche, Harold Mavuti, Chantel Henry, Cathrine Beard, Lauren Benson, Patrick Tormey, Daniel Deuschle and Benjamin Deuschle.
It took me at least one year to physically prepare, but to climb I needed much more than physical fitness. The correct mindset to achieve, the right company and more than all these God’s word because through Christ I can do all things.
TM: How much support and encouragement did you get?
TD: I tell you, we needed each other up there. Everyone was fighting their own battle. I was encouraged by the team and I them. I needed all the support I got and God put that team together for that very purpose.
We climbed as a team and surprised our guides. Statistics say 60 percent of people who climb the route we took in six days don’t make it, but because we were one, we made it by 100 percent in six days.
This is a testimony that on a daily basis in life, we need each other to overcome our mountains.
TM: What was the climb like? And, what did you do when you got to the top?
TD: One word – treacherous. 108km, 20 degrees Celsius, 50 percent oxygen, 6km above sea level, serious altitude sickness.
When I got to the top, I cried, hugged my sons and daughters and I prayed for the nation of Zimbabwe and all those who helped us raise US$85 000 for this climb. All this pain for 20 minutes on top of Africa! It was worth every ache and mile.
TM: Biblically, mountains mean different things in people’s relationship with God — from Abraham to our Lord Jesus Christ when he was crucified on Golgotha. Is there any spiritual significance on Mt Kilimanjaro considering that most people who embark on the climbs do it for posterity and some of them for money?
TD: Well, life is filled with mountains – the challenges we go through. There is only one way to overcome them – by working. Spiritually, the Bible says, work out your salvation with fear and trembling. We certainly cannot ignore the work aspect of God’s miracle.
TM: You have so far raised US$85 000. When do you hope to move the children to the cluster homes?
TD: US$85 000 and a resounding thank you to all those who have given so far. We hope to start phase one of the building shortly and have it completed by 2018.
TM: Finally, Pastor Tom, any message to the nation?
TD: We can build our nation, step by step, it is not by magic. We must pick our responsibilities. There is no other way of doing it. I had to walk 108 km to get to the top, go through 20 degrees Celsius temperatures. It was tough, but I had to climb and I got to the SUMMIT of Africa. So, let’s do the work and let’s follow God.
In order to build our country and to build your business and to do anything worth doing, you have to put your hands to the plough, work, and follow God. It is going to be hard, it is going to be tiring, but in the end, God will prosper us and the rewards will be great.
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