By Arron Nyamayaro
United Family International Church leader prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa conceded that space was the major challenges they were facing as the ministry continues to grow. He made the revelations last Sunday in front of his visiting spiritual father Victor Boateng.
Addressing followers at the first UFIC Pastors, certification and ordination ceremony held at their 30 000 seater church building under construction on Sunday, Makandiwa retraced the growth of his ministry.
“It is better to focus more on where we are going than where we have come from, but our biggest challenge is the space to accommodate the number of people coming. This place is not the real one it is more like for the cell group and I am expecting a 100 000 seater church building.
“Very soon we will be working towards building our headquarters in Harare and by the grace upon my Papa we will not take years to achieve that. We have plans of building schools, more hospitals, and state of the art orphanage homes and with the grace upon us, nothing will not be accomplished,” he said.
“As man like Biblical Abram he was asked to look up the sky and count them and those were equal to the number of his children and his name was changed to Abraham. When people were calling his name Abraham they were actually prophesying to fulfil that he was going to be the father of many nations.
“Records show about 160 people were in attendance when we started meeting at a lunch hour service at Anglican Cathedral along Nelson Mandela.
“After a week and two days security at the Parliament complained about the overflow of people as the hand of God was experienced during the service and we woke up to find a notice by the door informing us that the fellowship is now looking for another space.
“After a one week break we moved to State Lottery Hall on the 6th of September 2008 and within a few weeks people were following proceedings from outside. By February 2009 we held a conference dubbed ‘Season of the Spirit’ at Harare International Conference Centre before moving to City Sports Centre.
“By March we received a prophetic message about shortage of bays and by May 16 bays were filled to capacity.”
Makandiwa appealed to the government to avail land to them as his ministry expands.
“If you entrust this ministry with a piece of land we will put it into good use and we thank you for standing with us and we were able to win the legal battle for this land here,” said Makandiwa.
“Purification is done through the water or fire and I declare that I am more pure now than I was two years ago.
“The graduands flew outside the country for more practical and theoretical lessons where humility and submission was the main subject and my father worked with them on those subjects and they have proven to be loyal. With submission you will save time and life,” added Makandiwa.
Recently, Makandiwa reported that 18 000 people turned to God after three crusades he held in three places. About 22 men including Makandiwa’s spokesperson Prime Kufakunesu were ordained by Prophet Victor Boateng at a colourful ceremony graced by high profile guests.
Some of the high profile guests including ministers Walter Mzembi, Ignatius Chombo, captains of industry Goodwills Masimirembwa, ZTA chief executive Karikoga Kaseke, politician Job Sikhala, arts guru Albert Nyathi and Pastors including HeartFelt International leader Tavonga Wutabwashe and Reverend Obadiah Musinga. H Metro
