YOUTHS FLOCK TO SWAGG CHURCH
SOUTH Africa-based Apostle K attracted a crowd of youth at a luncheon church service he hosted in Harare on Saturday.
Many watched proceedings through windows as the Saved With Grace and Glory (SWAGG) Church venue was packed.
Apostle K delivered a sermon in which he urged the youths to be proud of themselves and avoid drug and substance abuse.
He encouraged them to adopt a positive attitude and work towards success.
Apostle K also offered to provide pre-marital and general counselling to parents and guardians and their children, promising that they would experience changes in their lives.
“God so loved the world and gave his Son that whosoever believes in him should not perish, but have eternal life,” said Apostle K.
“His son Jesus Christ had disciples and among the 12, he loved some that he gave them an opportunity to see his glory on a mountain.
“Young people are loved by God in the same manner if we all give our lives to Christ Jesus.
“You will shine like a diamond among other youths and you will prosper during your youth.
“Let us all, as youths, avoid abusing drugs and substances for us not to perish, but have everlasting life.
“Christ Jesus is the real bread, real food that if we continue to feed on his word, we will never lack anything during our time,” he said.
Apostle K emphasised the need for youths to have a positive attitude and lion-like spirit of victory.
He narrated his background working as a gardener in a foreign land and urged them to tap the anointing of success from him.
“Time has come for the young generation to move away from night clubs and drug abuse to a better place where angels look after them.
“Have the hunger and zeal for God, with that you will see the goodness of being in the house of God.
“You will notice the difference, you will put on nice clothes, eat the best food, wear expensive perfumes and look good.
“Be the CEOs of companies, bless other people from the sweat of your labour, be innovative, creative, own companies, shine like stars during your youth in order to attract heavenly intervention,” said Apostle K.
Latwell Nyangu
AN anti-drug abuse campaign called “Save the Next Generation” has been launched in Chitungwiza.
The campaign, which aims to combat drug abuse and substance addiction, was organised by Pastor Tafadzwa Macheka of the United Ambassadors of Christ Church, alongside other stakeholders in the community.
Pastor Macheka said that the initiative’s vision was inspired by the successful conversion of a drug lord four years ago.
“Four years ago we won the soul of a drug lord and he shared some stories which I thought where fictional.
“We then decided to come up with a strategy and say let’s save these souls.
“In chitungwiza, we have seen many parents seeking help for their children who are into drugs.
“We have been seeing a lot of young boys, some of them under the age of 15 taking drugs,” said Pastor Macheka.
The campaign includes a strategy to provide support for children and young adults who are battling drug addiction, including the use of church premises as a station to accommodate individuals who are addicted to drugs.
The team also feeds families and invites addicts to church.
“We decided to turn the area into a station to accommodate even mwana adzingwa mumba.
“It’s an advantage to use the church, since we are already luring people to God, so it will be easy.”
He said the next step for the initiative is to establish a rehab centre and organise an event in April called “Show me Heaven” which will feature artists and offer counselling and preaching sessions.
“We want to turn it into a 24 hour centre and if God permits to have a rehab centre.
“We want to use it as a soul winning event where we will invite different artists before we engage in counselling sessions and then preaching.
“We want to pull youths using the artists. We are going to use it as a soul winning occasion,” said Pastor Macheka.
Samantha Josho, a mental health practitioner, said:
“The challenge with families with children who are abusing drugs is discipline. Many of the children want to experiment.
“Another challenge is that most of the parents will be outside the country and it is difficult for them to monitor their children.”
Knowledge Mubende from Zimbabwe Civil Liberties and Drug Network said that over 60 percent of young people admitted to mental health facilities in Zimbabwe are battling drug and substance addiction.
“Crystal meth is very common and we have spearheaded the drug master plan to curb the scourge of drug and substance abuse in Zimbabwe.
“There is a need to reduce the supply of drugs and rehabilitate those into drugs. There is also a need for social integration,” said Mubende.
Teen Rescue Mission director, Abraham Matuka, said they are working to help the youths.
“The youths are getting into drugs due to peer pressure, while some want to experiment.
“We welcome this initiative because the issue of drugs needs us to come together to fight this menace.
“We are assisting youths in different vocational trainings as a way to fight drugs,” said Matuka.