By Margaret Kamba 

It was my first time being in that place for the 3rd Annual Conference. When growing up, there had been so many myths and misconceptions about this type of church grouping. Myths and misconceptions, I say again. When one has no idea what goes on, they are quick to formulate half the time falsehoods. It is sad that this actually happens as it hinders the salvation of many people. 

This particular church's 3rd Annual Conference has been a pleasure to be part of right from the beginning until the end. There has been a display of the willingness to move with the global times and yet leave nothing behind of its core and structure. The culture and prayer rituals have literally remained unchanged.

Perhaps what seems to have revolved is the dress style, which is an array of fashionable wear that even an unbeliever involuntarily admires.

Johane, the 5th of Africa International Church's 3rd Annual Conference has been held for this year, and that too in style.

When the church Founder Archbishop Dr Andby Makururu months before spoke to me about globalizing the standards, I had no idea this is what he meant. Perhaps because of the myths and misconceptions noise in my head, I became a doubting Thomas. He has proven beyond any reasonable doubt that when he determines to do something, he does.

I believe that if His Excellency, President Emmerson Dambudzo Mnangagwa, has just 100 of this type of man, vision 2030 can be achieved way earlier than expected.

The 10 hectare piece of land allocated to this church is slowly but surely becoming a lit city. So much investment has gone into the place with the building of face-bricked durawalled entrances for VVIP, VIP and the rest, the renewable energy lighting system adopted, artistic sitting area outside the shop, modern toilet flashing system and flag posting area amongst other things. Colored in blue, the area is easy to find to anyone in need of assistance.

This conference presented itself with so much display in terms of cultural displays, fashion, and a mixture of countries, which included Botswana, Zambia, and Mozambique, among others.

Aspects that caught my attention are a number, and I will share why. First was the pigeon ritual. What made it peculiar for me was the fact that all these came from different places and yet after the performance of that ritual, they flew nowhere but rested on the stage, on the ground and within the premises as though they understood that this was their new home. Despite the loud musical noises that were being made that could have made them flee, these pigeons were literally at home.

You are asking me what happened during the ritual. Well, those carrying them were instructed not to tie them but hold them in their hands. All formed a circle around the pulpit, and after a prayer by the Archbishop, those carrying these pigeons were asked to release them into the air. 

Oh, what a spectacular view as they flew some onto the tent, providing shade for the Archbishop, some to the stage roof and others just into the sky and back to the ground. Some of them literally came back to settle by the stage along with the Archbishop on the red carpet. 

There is a spiritual significance to this, I don't want to lie. I could not put a finger onto it, but in his words, the Archbishop told Chief Chirumanzu that he had planted peace in his area.

What makes matters worse for me is that in his speech, Chief Chirumanzu said, "This land knew you before you were born." This made it easy for the Archbishop to be granted land in that area so he could work to build and develop that community. 

The next ritual was that made by the flag post area. There were seven flags that of the countries represented. The Zimbabwean flag also made part of this array. This flag post area also has a water fountain. Around this area, delegates were asked to form a circle, and the Archbishop prayed. It was as though he was planting unity among these countries. 

Apart from all these was the message which was quite clear. Honour your father and mother, uphold your culture, love your country and obey your rulers, desist from early child marriages and domestic violence.

Such work is a display of something beyond imagination and it attracts enemies from within and without. Who would not love to have such a huge gathering? Who would not love to command such respect? Who would not want to execute things with such excellence? Noone. 

If only people can understand that not all were born to be great. Those who also become great must go through a great test so that they get to where they are. Some of these things just don't come. You must work for them and it's only those who come out victorious that must enjoy the fruits of their hard labour. 

Hard, honest work, says President Mnangagwa. And this is what it is.