ZCC marks 40 years since the passing on of founder
THOUSANDS of members of the Zion Christian Church (ZCC) led by Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi last week converged at their Holy Shrine at Defe in Gokwe District to celebrate the 40th anniversary of the passing on of the founder Reverend Samuel Mutendi.
Rev Mutendi, who was 96, passed on in 1976 on 20 July shortly after revealing to his followers at Sote in Gutu District that he had fought a good fight, finished his course and kept his faith. He further proclaimed that a crown of righteousness was laid up for him by the Lord ( 2 Timothy 4 vs 7-8).
Though his followers have celebrated his passing on every year, this year’s ceremony had a biblical significance. The number 40, which is mentioned about 146 times in the scriptures, is symbolic of an end of an era, usually an inevitable change of fortunes after every 40 days, or 40 nights or 40 years.
Members of the ZCC kicked off this year with a lot of joy and hope for anticipated blessings to coincide with the 40th anniversary of the death of their founder.
Bishop Mutendi who has led the church since the passing on of his father declared 2016: Gore renhaka — the Year of Inheritance.
He even came up with a popular slogan — Gore ranaka, rakanaka, ndere nhaka — literary meaning: This year is a good year, because it is the year of inheritance (Luke 4 vs 19).
It was in anticipation of good fortunes that thousands of members of the ZCC converged at Defe from as early as 31 July to 7 August to draw inspiration from the legacy of Rev. Samuel Mutendi, which has been upheld by Bishop Nehemiah who insists that blessings only come from hard work.
A former teacher, Bishop Mutendi has taken the church to greater heights as instructed by his father who told him to spread the gospel beyond the borders of Zimbabwe.
He has indeed done so spreading the ZCC to neighbouring countries like Botswana, Lesotho, Malawi, Mozambique, Namibia, South Africa, Tanzania and Zambia.
The church has also established branches or representatives in Australia, Canada, China, New Zealand, the United Kingdom and the United States of America.
Bishop Mutendi has also expanded the number of schools from three to 12 including the state-ofthe-art Samuel Centenary Academy in Belvedere.
This year’s week-long celebration was dedicated to the memory of Samuel Mutendi, particularly his legacy as espoused in Hebrew 13 vs 7 which says: “Remember your leaders, those who spoke to you the word of God; consider the outcome of their life, and imitate their faith”.
The colourful ceremony kicked off on 31 July with one of the biggest gatherings Defe has witnessed in its 40 years. Thousands of pilgrims flocked to the Holy Shrine to attend the official opening ceremony of this year’s historic event, thus compelling the church leadership to serve the first ever Holy Communion on the opening day of the conference to manage the multitudes of pilgrims that attended the conference.
In the past Holy Communion service often started on Wednesday. This year by Big Chitatu
Big Wednesday — Zuva reRuwadzano, ZCC Women’s Day, Defe was already overwhelmed by the large number of pilgrims who came to attend.
Despite these huge crowds, members flocked to their early morning prayers at 4am every day inspired by the popular tune, Nguva Yakanakisisa Yokukurumbidza, The best time to praise the Lord.
The evergreen ZCC brass bands entertained the huge crowds throughout the night and by Friday Defe was packed as those who had been held behind because of work commitments, and parents and students who had been waiting for schools to close, converged at the Holy Shrine. (Picture of brass band).
Traditionally, the commemoration of Samuel Mutendi’s passing on was celebrated on 20 July or the closest weekend to that date, but this was changed about five years ago to coincide with Heroes Day weekend to accommodate students.
Friday also witnessed the biggest Holy Communion gathering ever as most people did not want to miss Saturday morning’s Procession of the Saints in which people were grouped according to their 46 centres in Zimbabwe and the diaspora. (Picture of procession)
The Zuva raSamere Procession of the Saints is one of the most important events on the ZCC calendar as it allows the Bishop to get as close to as many of the members as possible.
During the procession, the various band units of the church took turns to provide the gracious escort, marching behind the Bishop, playing solemn music, with the Bishop occasionally dancing to the tune to the amusement and appreciation of the cheering pilgrims.
The climax of the conference, however, was the prayer retreat to the Holy Tabakoni Mountian where the Bishop made a special prayer and was crowned by the last Holy Communion of the conference in the evening.
But church members still had to wake up at 4am for their Sunday morning prayer before the Bishop’s farewell address.
In his address Bishop Mutendi made a passionate appeal to church members to preserve the peace that the country has enjoyed over the years and urged members to work hard for their families, their church and their country.
Rugare — Peace, is the rallying call for the ZCC. And in his pursuit for peace with all men as read in Hebrew 12 vs 18, Bishop Mutendi invited Prince Hlanganiso, one of the sons of King Zwelithini, King of the Zulu nation in South Africa, to Defe. (Picture of Prince and Bishop).
He has established cordial relations with the King whom he has met three times so far and will be visiting him again in next month.