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Wallace Ruzvidzo Lifestyle Reporter

Centenary birthday celebrations will tomorrow be held for Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA Forward in Faith) church founder, Archbishop Ezekiel Guti, who turned 100 last week.

The celebrations, which are set for Glamis Arena, are expected to pull thousands of people from across the country and beyond.

The church last week commenced celebrations for the momentous achievement at all its 57 administrative provinces and the 164 nations where the church has established its presence.

Joel Guti, son to Archbisop Guti, confirmed to The Herald that all was set for the jamboree tomorrow.

“Everything is going on well for the celebrations on Saturday (tomorrow),” he said. “As we speak I am actually in a meeting as we are putting together touches to ensure it is a success.”

In an interview yesterday, an insider close to the preparations said they expecting a bumper crowd, filling the 30 000 capacity Glamis Arena.

“We are still holding meetings, but everything is in place for the event,” he said. “We have also been informed that the ground can host 30 000 people and we are confident that people will come in their numbers and fill the whole arena to give Baba a befitting celebration.”

In a separate interview, ZAOGA Youth Overseer Reverend Shadreck Matsikenyere, who also coordinates the church’s publicity department, said it was all systems go as the church celebrated the preservation of their founder’s life.

“We are celebrating this achievement all over the country in our 57 administrative provinces and also 164 nations where we have ZAOGA, we will surely be celebrating,” he said. “For local assemblies, celebrations have already started and people are celebrating the momentous occasion.”

Rev Matsikenyere said Archbishop Guti was the epitome of someone who dedicated his life to ministry and serving God, evidenced by his 75 years in active ministry.

“The achievement by Baba Guti is something we do not see often because for the past 75 years he has been preaching the gospel and this exceeds even Apostle Paul in terms of the years he preached in the bible,” he said.

“We are going to consider these celebrations as part and parcel of our worship.”

The momentous and rare achievement, said Rev Matsikenyere, would draw Zimbabweans and the world at large closer to Christ.

“These are not just celebrations, they are an indication to the people who do not pray to God and are not Christians that God is the giver of life,” he said.

Rev Matsikenyere said the birthday celebrations coincided with the church’s 63rd anniversary.

“His birthday corresponds with the church’s anniversary as it was founded on May 12 1960,” he said. “Since its formation, the church has built more than 500 buildings in Zimbabwe.”

A gifted evangelist, a veteran pastor, and renowned prophet with unmistakable marks of apostleship, Archbishop Guti has been described as a humble servant of God, and has distinguished himself as a leading personality in the Pentecostal world.

On the international arena, he has accepted invitations to preach and teach in several African nations, Europe, the United States, Asia-Pacific countries, and the Bahamas.

He has spoken in Bible schools, colleges, universities, and on television and radio programmes.

Archbishop Guti has founded Bible schools in Zimbabwe, Ghana, Zambia, and Mozambique where he has trained over 4 000 pastors from more than 55 nations.

He founded the Forward in Faith Orphanage Centre, F.I.F Children’s Ministry, F.I.F College and High School Ministry, Gracious Women’s Fellowship International, along with the Husband’s Agape International Fellowship.

Archbishop Guti has also written several books on his life and the church’s history and on the word of God.