The Sunday Mail
Bishop Marvellous Mhloyi (centre) chats to Archbishops Eunor (left) and Ezekiel Guti
Stories by Fatima Bulla – Religion Editor
WOMEN can be church leaders as well as the coming of the Holy Spirit was not for men alone, Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Forward in Faith Ministries International founder, Archbishop Professor Ezekiel Guti has said.
While there are denominations that prohibit women to take up leadership roles or to speak on matters that influence the direction of the church, Archbishop Guti said when the Holy Spirit came down, men and women received the same spirit.
In an interview with this publication last Sunday after consecrating Revival United Church of Christ International female Bishop Marvellous Mhloyi, the veteran evangelist who founded Zaoga FIF 55 years ago said Jesus was always surrounded by women during his ministry.
“The coming of the Holy Spirit wasn’t for men or women. They all received the same spirit. Jesus Christ in his preaching was always surrounded by Mary and other women. And he didn’t say men are the only ones who can be Bishops. In God there is no man or woman.
“Rather it is mostly the women who prophesied like Huldah (2 Kings 22:14) and Deborah(Judges 4),” Archbishop Guti said.
The Archbishop who has preached consistently for 67 years, said it is important to encourage women with zeal to pray to stand as intercessors.
While counseling the consecrated Bishop and members of her church, Archbishop Guti spoke of the importance of money in running church business, faithfulness and unity among serving pastors.
“For God’s glory to be honoured it is the pastors who are united. Any business kuti zvifambe kubatana kwevanhu. The ordination of pastors should be about prayer. A person should not be ordained without seeing their fruits,” the Chipinge born Archbishop said.
“Hatidi vafundisi vanoshandisa tutombo. The only stone is Jesus. My mother Mbuya Dorcas used to say she wanted to chew roots for her grandchildren. But I requested to pray for those hands to be anointed so when her grandchildren fell sick she would pray for them,” noted Archbishop Guti.
In 2012, Zaoga FIF completed Mbuya Dorcas Health Centre, a world class hospital, through the working of talents.
Archbishop Guti said he takes time to host conferences for pastors as a platform for them to air their earnest views on the ministry so that they move forward in the spirit of God.
Turning to the length of his service in the ministry, Archbishop Guti said it was merely the grace of God
“A number of people try to copy Ezekiel Guti. It’s not something to copy because you were not there when God talked to me. This is the grace of God not because I am wonderful (nor) I am holy, but this is the grace of God.
“I am a father of many many churches and all day they want to see me. But all this God spoke to me long back. I would like to thank God that what He said He has fulfilled. I have met people, I have prophesied. I know that I am a true prophet because no one has ever said zvamakataura hazvina kuitika. So ndizvo zvinosimbisa kuti ndiMwari ari kutaura.”
Archbishop Guti said he did not understand why churches suppressed good power when men and women of God had great anointing on their lives to drive out demons.
He said for them to have power, pastors need to read the Bible and set aside time to pray.
Among its projects, Zaoga FIF also takes pride in the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University in Bindura.
Archbishop Guti and his wife Dr Eunor Guti are the brains behind the church’s ministry departments for Men, Women, Youth For the Nations, Child Evangelism, Blind and Sighted Integration, the Disabled and Helping Hands Association and Foreign Missions.
Zaoga FIF now has its presence in over 100 nations and states worldwide.
