It appears even small towns have not been spared the wave of young celebrity pastors-cum-prophets who have taken the country by storm.
While the likes of UFI founder Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa and Eubert Angel of Spirit Embassy have taken Harare by storm, smaller towns and cities are abuzz with the same gospel and flair. Gweru was last week brought to a standstill when Pastor Richard Chiwara of Champions Ministries wed.
Stretching for what could be a kilometre, the pastor’s wedding convoy slowly made its way to the venue, led by a solitary horse, which he rode himself followed by a chariot carrying the bride, a limousine with bridesmaids and several top-of-the-range Mercedes-Benz and BMW vehicles.
Entrance to the upmarket venue, which is a Chinese eatery and boasts world-class conferencing facilities, was strictly by invitation only. However, upon being recognised as members of the Press, The Sunday Mail In-Depth crew was allowed in and after all official proceedings were over, an interview was granted.
The pastor, who stands at an intimidating 1.87 metres tall — was surrounded by a dozen youthful but heavily built men. The youths, whom we were told were part of the Champions Ministries youth group, were later instructed to leave the “Man of God” alone with this crew.
“Some call me reverend, papa, Man of God, prophet, but, honestly, I prefer just being called Pastor Richard, nothing more,” said the pastor in a soft tone completely different from the hoarse aggressive speech he had used earlier.
He continued: “I was born on October 30 1972, gave my life to Jesus in 1986 and I have never looked back ever since. Being a pastor was never my intention, it was a calling, but it took me time to respond to the calling because I had never given myself time to ask why certain things were happening in my life.”
A holder of degrees in accounting, pastoral leadership and business studies, currently studying towards a doctorate in pastoral leadership, with a following of thousands, Pastor Richard refuses to be regarded as a celebrity.
“I am not in the league of those other pastors we hear about who swindle people of their hard-earned monies. I do not move around with bodyguards nor live a lavish lifestyle,” he said, adding “the only celebrity I know is God.”
“God is the one who heals people that come to me. It is God that makes couples that have been trying unsuccessfully to have children conceive. The power is not mine, it belongs to the Most High who gave it in abundance to his children, but it depends how those chosen decide to use their gifts” said Pastor Richard.
Formed just five years ago, Champions Ministries now boasts thousands of followers in and around the Midlands capital.
“We formed this church just a few years ago. But within weeks of holding church services in a classroom at a local primary school, we had to find a hall, which also became small. Because there are no big enough indoor venues here in Gweru, we ended up resorting to just hiring tents,” explained Pastor Richard.
However, the Man of God says the road has not always been smooth. “I went to several churches from when I was a young man in Pastor Tom and Bonnie Deuschle’s Rhema Church now Hear the Word to Pentecostal Assemblies in Zimbabwe, Alliance Church in Zimbabwe and Living for Christ Ministries before launching my own church,” he said.
Pastor Richard says it took him too long to realise that God had a purpose for him, something different from what he had envisaged for himself.
“When God has a purpose for you, you won’t rest until you have fulfilled it. You just keep on moving even when you have no idea where you are headed,” said Pastor Richard, adding, “but the funny thing is when you get there you just feel it.
“There are times when you just have all the material things you need, but you are not satisfied. However, when you find God, life just changes — things begin to make sense and you can feel that you are finally whole,” he said.
Pastor Richard, who refuses to be called either a prophet or healer, claims to have helped a lot of people get well. He says his first miracle occurred on a visit to Shurugwi in 2009.
“I came across a woman who was paralysed at a homestead we were visiting and I just felt this urge to lay my hands on the woman and pray.
“So I asked everyone to join me in prayer and the woman stood up and walked. It was unbelievable, but we triumphed and it was the beginning of much bigger miracles,” said Pastor Richard.
He says a Shurugwi woman, Assah Ntini, also told him that “if you worship Him in truth, He is going to use you in a mighty way”.
“That woman is no prophet but when she saw me she just prophesied and I believe her prophesy is slowly coming to pass.”
“This church is built on the faith of the thousands we encountered during our outreach programmes and followed us. It is built on the community of Ascot and Gweru as a city. And it is also built on friends, relatives and pastors that helped us when the chips were down.
“Today I still remember how Pastor Israel (Kwekwe), Dr David Texel (Netherlands), Pastor Kamusoro (Mutare), the Catholic Centre, Upon the Rock Church and many other people, as God-sent institutions and individuals, who helped create Champions Ministries,” said Pastor Richard.
As the proliferation of churches continues not only locally but also worldwide, many continue to join the bandwagon while others believe the biblical end times are near. The Sunday Mail
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