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The cumulative events and issues affecting the body of Christ were us. There are many testimonies. We managed it with God through Jesus Christ, and we will continue to do the same through His immense providence and love.
We lacked, but He provided. We fell ill and were helpless, but He was there – true to His word in Psalms 23 and Isaiah 43.
He renewed our strength and transformed us, and made us realise that we should always put our hope and trust in Him, for He is not like humans (Numbers 23:19).
Many amongst us could not experience the New Year as they were translated to glory during the course of the year.
These included Evangelist Phanuel D Chiweshe, Reverend Tarcisio Jakata, Amai Mufundisi Chido Gatsi of One Way Ministries, whose teachings on Radio Zimbabwe every Saturday evening enlightened many listeners.
BUT, you are entering 2012 for a purpose, so that His name is glorified. The Lord still wants you to do more, to work more, to give more and to learn more.
Crossing over
As per tradition this evening, thousands will cross over into the New Year at night prayer sessions, at various venues across the length and breadth of Zimbabwe.
This evening as you cross over into 2012, the most important thing to remember is that this is election by grace. On your own, you can’t, but with God, nothing is impossible.
One of the biggest and most memorable night prayer sessions was held on April 22 by Prophet Emmanuel Makandiwa’s United Family International Churches (UFIC) at the giant National Sports Stadium.
An estimated 60 000 worshippers attended. Prophet Makandiwa also became one of the most talked about Christian personality in the country.
Victoria Ruzvidzo reminiscing on this event wrote, “Never in this country have so many people, more than 60 000 gathered at once for a Christian event, an all-night prayer at that . . . Not even a heavy downpour just before the start of the service could deter the resolute Christians.” I gather that UFIC will wait on the New Year at their new Chitungwiza church.
Last week, as we reflected on the year’s events we discussed Archbishop Ezekiel Guti’s millions of spiritual children all over the world, including the training of foreign pastors at the Harare-based centre, AMFICC. I met two foreign trainees – one from Tonga and the other from New Zealand.
We also saw the commissioning of a huge conference centre/church built by Bishop Nehemiah Mutendi and the Zion Christian Church, in Bikita District.
During the course of the year, through the Lord’s enablement, a number of men and women of God from foreign lands brought good tidings for Zimbabwe and Africa.
This was truly blessing.
Many local church leaders and readers also found relevance in Divine Appointments, and always gave this writer spiritual counsel. Even ladies in the Mothers’ Union networked with other Christians through this column.
However, one of this writer’s resolutions is the technical empowerment of the older generation, especially those in our Mothers’ Union, countrywide.
These were some of the Lord’s mighty works in 2011.
Africa: The way forward
Another personality who is increasingly becoming popular is Prophet T B Joshua, General Overseer of The Synagogue, Church of All Nations, Lagos, Nigeria.
Just like Prophet Makandiwa and others, so much is said about them – both positive and negative.
Below is Prophet T B Joshua’s message for Africa, which I got from their website: www.scoan.org, which I felt should put Africa in a right-standing with the Lord.
“Prophet T B Joshua has attributed the backwardness of the African continent to the dearth of consultants and elder statesmen.
Lamenting the situation, T B Joshua said that former presidents of the African continent should, by virtue of their experience and wisdom, become fathers to all political parties, corporate societies, the business class and individuals alike instead of attaching themselves to particular political parties or ethnic groups.
The world acclaimed faith healer and philanthropist said each time incumbent presidents in any African country look around for advice, they are disappointed because those they should look up to are busy fighting for one political group, ethnic nationality or another.
Prophet T.B. Joshua advised that whenever an incumbent is leaving the seat of power, he should tell the whole world that henceforth, he is no more a member of any political party or group but father of the whole nation as an ex-president. “As one who has been there, he is in the best position to tell the incumbent and other groups alike what they should do to succeed, since experience is the best teacher”.
As a former president, he is well placed to serve as a consultant to all these groups. Others will look up to him for counsel to avoid pitfalls in the pursuit of success.
In this way, he will bring harmony, co-operation and prosperity to the continent. The peace the continent requires for progress in all fields of endeavour will become a reality as a result.
He urged ex-presidents and heads of state to come together and form a union which current leaders can look up to for direction.
This will serve as a beacon of hope and force of unity for the continent in general and the various countries in particular.
The union will also ensure that current presidents have access to it and its pool of rich experience for better governance.
T B Joshua declared that the crises in Libya, Egypt, Cote d’Ivoire, Tunisia and other countries could have been averted or minimised if ex-leaders had come together to form a union to curb the excesses of any current leader.
He therefore calls for the urgency of this union for the good of the entire continent.”
Trust in the LORD with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways acknowledge Him, and He shall direct your paths. (Proverbs 3:5-6)

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