By Margaret Kamba
The 1930s prophecy to the Saint Luke's Apostolic Ejwel Jekenishen church, that Zimbabwe would one day be ruled by a black man has kept glued to supporting the ruling Government.
The membership which goes into millions is very clear on this stance and knows their relevance can never be underestimated.
Those of this calling know that the indigenous churches have a huge role to play in the economic development of their country.
Their conviction is deep rooted in the teachings of their leaders who are called to heed to the precepts of their maker who in turn guides their footsteps and amazingly so.
The nitty-gritties which boil down to the location of a church and its training centre makes the feeble mind understand the spirituality of the church.
My recent tour of thus church took me from Harare to Mutare, past Zimunya, Wengezi, the Hot Springs right into Birchenough Bridge.
The mist along the way early in the morning made me unsure of what lay ahead.
That coupled with an accident during which a passer-by lay lifeless in the road made things worse.
The drizzle in Mutare and the cloudy weather got me a bit confused about what my final destination would throw at me especially having been in that part of the country many years ago.
That coupled with the aircon in the car totally disguised the heat that shook me when I stepped out of the car.
That quickly reminded me of my tour to Makorokoro in Matabeleland South Province during Minister Evelyn Ndlovu had taken us to see the wonders being done by some of the young people in that region borrowing a leaf from His Excellency President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa's launch of the Jinjika Village irrigation scheme in Mangwe District.
From Birchenough Bridge, we traveled to Musanhi in Chipinge to see how the St Luke's Apostolic Ejwel Jekenishen church was establishing itself to be relevant to the current times.
With the realization that Zimbabwe under the leadership of President Mnangagwa is a moving bullet train that only a fool would ignore to jump onto.
This train is here like it or not and is open to all to ride towards vision 2030 and beckoning to each and every citizen to play their part in achieving a transformed Zimbabwe.
If the church has its eyes opened, how blind can a learned person be to this reality.
Archbishop Phillip Pferedzai who is the head of the church says his Church's support to the ruling Government is inevitable.
"During the prophesies of the 1930s we were told that this country would be ruled by a black man and that this was when our joy would come. Since then we have been teaching our members to be supportive of the programmes put in place by our President which are aimed at uplifting our lives as the indigenous people," Archbishop Pferedzai said.
"We are grateful that the President continues to put strategies that are good for us and we are also happy with this visit which is meant to guide us to setting good standards for our church in line with what is required."
Council of churches in Africa President Bishop Rocky Moyo said his organization is working to ensure the transformation of the churches is achieved.
"We want our churches to suit the global standards that we see occurring elsewhere. This means changing the whole system and moving along with the laws of the country. For this reason, we are working with ZANU PF under the leadership of His Excellency President Mnangagwa," he said.
"The Zion, Pentecostal and Apostolic churches are there to help unify the country and provide advise where we spiritually see fit."
ZANU PF Director for Research, Strategy and Liason Dr Davison Gomo highlighted that the ruling Party appreciates the role of the church.
"As a Party we do not own churches and the churches exist separately. However there is some collaboration between the Part and churches. What binds us together is that we have people to look after," Dr Gomo said.
"The church has clear divine instructions while the government provides a framework to protect and create laws which enables the freedom of worship. Our cooperation therefore is not an option. We exchange information so that the church knows where to start and end.
"Scriptures say that leaders are ordained by God and if there is this clear instruction, it means that once a leader is elected, then there's Godly intervention. We therefore want to work together to create sustainable programmes, fulfill people's ambitions and have a peaceful environment."
He added that "The world has changed and the church needs to adapt to this level so that it stays relevant. As ZANU PF, we embrace the move by the Apostolic sect to build schools. We are grateful that the indigenous churches are moving to be in sync as we create a Zimbabwe in which the churches are comfortable."
The St Luke's Apostolic Ejwel Jekenishen church which was established on 17 July 1932, offers skills development courses among them sewing, bricklaying and animal husbandry to its members.