The Sunday Mail
Veronica Gwaze
IT all started with a lunch hour prayer service at the Anglican Cathedral in Harare’s central business district. An ecstatic crowd jostled to listen to a youthful Emmanuel Makandiwa.
This marked the beginning of the United Family International Church (UFIC)’s journey on August 17, 2008.
The church, which now has branches across the country and in other jurisdictions such as Botswana, South Africa, United Kingdom, Australia and Zambia, will mark it’s 10th anniversary with a conference between 24 to 26 August, 2018.
UFIC spokesman Pastor Prime Kufa relived the church history, starting from the day when scores of people peeped through the Anglican Cathedral windows to catch a glimpse of Prophet Makandiwa. They only held one service at the cathedral before moving to the State Lottery Hall and then UFIC found a base at the City Sports Centre.
In 2009, UFIC hosted a conference — dubbed “Season of the Spirit” — which was attended by thousands of people from across the globe.
UFIC has grown to become one of the biggest churches and now hosts three services on Sundays — couples, Shona and youth services — to accommodate the huge numbers.
“We have challenges in accessing land to build churches, especially in towns and cities except for Bulawayo and Mutare. Rural areas are relatively easier to get land,” said Pastor Kufa.
“There has been tremendous progress in the construction of our Chitungwiza church, it’s about 80 percent complete. The Chitungwiza Basilica was delayed by at least two years due to some technicalities. Prophet Makandiwa and his wife Prophetess Ruth are paying from their resources for the construction of the church. UFIC will then fund the building of the main church in Mt Hampden.”
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Pastor Kufa also said the construction of Ruthdale High School in Sunningdale suburb is at an advanced stage with enrolment expected for the first term of 2019.
He added that UFIC has become a tabernacle for special miracles and prophecies.
UFIC, through its charity arm, Agape, will offer free medical services in various districts countrywide as part of the 10th anniversary celebrations.
“Agape has assisted 6 000 eye cataract operations and also pay school fees for thousands of primary and high school pupils. We are also paying fees for 38 students in international universities oversees.
“Going forward, UFIC will target to help more underprivileged people and better their lives.”
