‘God told me to take Bev off stripping’

HARARE – Daily News reporter Vasco Chaya (VC) talks to Prophet Walter Magaya of Prophetic Healing and Deliverance Ministries. Find below excerpts of the interview.

VC: Prophet you have taken a number of strippers including Beverly Sibanda off night clubs and you are empowering them with different lucrative projects, including opening shops for them. How did you get to think of this and what is the source of your money?

WM: Thank you. Some of these ladies used to earn a living through engaging in sexual activities so it is futile to tell them to quit their source of living without empowering them. God told me to replace what they were doing with other lucrative projects mainly of their choice.

A prophet is different from a pastor because the former’s actions are guided by God, therefore, we do a number of projects including paying school fees for more than 120 000 students in the country but I do not have a bank account.

Our money comes from partners of the PHD Ministries and these are people whom we share the same vision with.

VC: We understand you always visit Nigerian Prophet T.B Joshua, your spiritual father, for renewal of your powers. Can you elaborate on the issue of renewal of powers?

WM: Sure TB Joshua is my spiritual father and I frequently visit him for mentorship. My wife who I refer to as “mother” is set to visit TB Joshua’s wife in February.

When we are talking of power renewal we are speaking of revival.

TB Joshua’s church is bigger than mine and he has a wide range of experience in prophetic ministries as compared to me hence when I go there he will mentor and guide me on issues concerning a ministry.

In some churches people routinely attend revival services where their spirits will be uplifted and they will be encouraged to forge ahead.

VC: Why do you always preach prosperity gospel?

WM: Do you want to go to heaven now… if you want I can pray for you right now?

VC: No!

WM: Right. People do not want to die now and at the same time people are struggling to cope with social problems such as poverty.

Therefore, it is our duty as prophets to address what is needed now and that is success. Our principles are simple.

We command the blessings of heaven to come down on earth. Once we deal with problems such as poverty which can affect people to worship God, then we are okay.

Then after that, everyone will go to heaven.

VC: May you explain why prophets’ wives end up being prophetesses?

WM: It is because of impartation. This process is evidenced in the Bible when Elisha inherited the spirit of Elijah. You should also understand that anointing can be borrowed. It is a spiritual process.

VC: PHD Ministries is one of the fastest growing churches in the country.

Can you tell us how big your organisation is now and what is the secret behind this rapid growth?

WM: I do not know the exact numbers but we are over 100 000 as we have cell groups all-over the world.

The secret for growth is simple. People want to see results, not just results but tangible results and that is the reason why even men flock to PHD.

What is happening at PHD never happened before in southern Africa, therefore, people want this change. Miracles and wonders are happening.

VC: It is said your church is growing at the expense of other churches. Some churches are reportedly empty because of PHD?

WM: Ahh, some of the churches complained about that and their leaders urged them to emulate and follow suit. They should do like what we are doing such that people will remain in their churches.

VC: Do you have plans of opening your television station, you are currently appearing on Bos TV,  which you don’t own?

WM: Sure. We are set to launch our new TV station called Yadah next month but I will still be loyal to Bos TV since they are our partners.

VC: We understand you gave away several houses in the country as part of your social responsibility. How many houses do you have and what type of cars do you drive?

WM: To be honest, I do not have a house myself and you can verify that with the Deeds Office. I am renting one in Marlborough part of which I turned into church offices.

I am driving a Toyota Murano. I feel I still need to seed more. I know one day I will have one nice house but this is not the time.

VC: How much do you think you are worth?

WM: I try by all means to be worth as little as I can. My principle is simple: More for them and less for me.

I know the chance will come for me to enjoy. This time I need to concentrate on working for the people.

I can’t even afford to buy a tie and this is the reason why you see me never putting on one.

VC: I understand being a prophet is a challenging and busy task. Do you have time for your family?

WM: I am always busy with church business. You know I always sleep very late and wake up very early.

VC: People would like to know who is Magaya?

WM: Walter Magaya is a man who grew up in Chitungwiza while attending the Catholic Church.

I am married to Prophetess Tendai Katsiga Magaya who was a banker by profession and we have two children. Daily News