The Sunday Mail
Religion Writer
Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa Forward in Faith Ministries International (Zaoga FIF) celebrates its 56th anniversary today.
Celebrations will take place at various centres across the country.
In the district that brings together Tafara and Eastview in Harare, a programme that includes celebratory processions from will b e held at Zaoga Tafara Assembly.
Pastor Brian Mutembedza of the Eastview Assembly said after converging at the Zaoga Tafara Assembly, there would be celebrations in song and dance with preaching of the Word as well.
“We are proud to celebrate this anniversary with our founder, Apostle Guti. It is a time to remember the work of God done through Apostle Guti in bringing this type of the gospel which has not only transformed our spiritual lives but also is able to empower us economically.
“We see also the grace of the Lord in as far as the church has grown from its humble beginnings under a gum tree in Bindura,” Pr Mutembedza said.
Zaoga FIF was founded by Apostle Dr Ezekiel Handiwangu Guti on May 12, 1960 under a gum tree in Bindura. It is recorded that in 1963, as the Apostle prayed in the Bindura caves, God spoke to him and said, “Learn and read the English Bible and learn to preach in English because you shall go to many countries with my Word.”
It is reported that the Holy Spirit gave him “The tongue of the learned … That I should know how to speak a word in season to him that is weary” as said in Isaiah 50:4.
Apostle Guti says upon graduating in the United States, he was offered a job in that country.
He prayed and sought God’s wisdom before he made a decision, and he ultimately refused the offer and instead returned to Zimbabwe with the gospel of entrepreneurship.
Today, Zaoga FIF has a presence in Europe, Asia, Australia, New Zealnd, the US and United Kingdom among other countries.
He has also founded Bible Schools in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zambia and Mozambique, where about 4 000 pastors from more than 55 nations have been trained.
The church also has an Orphanage Centre among other projects.
