By Suremore Muchuweni
The Zion Christian Church (ZCC), one of the biggest independent African initiated churches in Zimbabwe, has restructured its local administration, with a new lay leadership announced on Sunday 27 June to spearhead the church’s expansion.
Addressing Zion Christian Church (ZCC) regional and centre coordinators in an online meeting, Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi said the expanding footprint of the church made it necessary to revamp and expand regional structures in the country.
The restructuring exercise doubles the administrative regions in the country from 17 to 34, with the newly appointed leaders expected to serve old and new parishes more efficiently.
The church is structured around regions, with centres, greaters, parishes and sub-parishes, or tabernacles, falling under them.
Parishes have on average 300 members and sub-parishes 100 members. Under sub-parishes are cells, which are the smallest units in the church, made up of a few neighbouring families.
Previous leaders such as Mr Samuel Matekenya and Mr Tainos Mudiwa, Coordinators Maxwell Revai and Obert Matsika of Harare, Luke Chiremba of Chiredzi, Peter Mutizwa of Norton, Godfrey Chimbwanda, Davison Sendama of Chegutu, Absalom Jaison of Karoi, Elder Arnold Munaki of Bulawayo, become representatives of the church administration office in their respective areas.
Bishop Mutendi encouraged the appointed Regional and Centre coordinators to prioritise God’s work and to shepherd God’s people without fear or favour.
Mr Matekenya, who is the chairperson of the church’s Town Cooperation oversight body, announced the newly appointed Regional and Centre Coordinators for the thirty-four administrative regions.
Harare received two more regions to make four.
Region 1 is now under Coordinator Vincent Masikati, and consists of five Greaters, fifteen parishes and thirty-two tabernacles covering the northern and eastern suburbs of Harare.
Region 2 led by regional Coordinator Winston Matunya, covers Mbare, Epworth and Waterfalls suburbs, consisting of two ZCC Centres and twenty-seven tabernacles.
Region 3 stretches from Norton, Kuwadzana to Warren Park suburbs is led by Coordinator Exaviour Chisoko, with a total of six Greaters and thirty-six tabernacles.
The fourth region is now led by Regional Coordinator Brian Munatsi and has two ZCC centres – Glen Norah and Harare Southlands, with a total of 35 tabernacles.
Masvingo province, one of the largest ZCC territories in Zimbabwe, in terms of number of followers, is now comprised of ten church regions.
Region 16 which stretches from Manjerenje, Dhevhure to Mabika areas in Zaka and Bikita, is now under the leadership of Coordinator Luke Chiremba.
Coordinator Moses Rukuni monitors Mutarara and Mazungunye Centres in Region 20, which consists of sixteen parishes and sixty-two tabernacles.
Other regions in Masvingo are – 10, 12, 13, 14, 17, 18 and 19, which are under the leadership of Regional Coordinators – Martin Guvi, Moyo, Misheck Chirambai, Wilson Gondo, William Makaza, Ronias Shoko and Priviledge Mupinga.
Mashonaland East, Central and West Provinces comprise of seven regions – 26, 27, 28, 29, 30 and 31, with the following Regional Coordinators – Clever Banga of Zengeza and Seke-Wedza centres, George Marufu of Marondera and Mutoko Centres, Patrick Chaitwa of Centenary and Mount Darwin Centres, Solomon Mauri of Chinhoyi and Fombo Centres, Dumisani Ndlovu of Karoi and Hurungwe, P K Sithole of Kadoma, Chegutu (1913) and Mhondoro centres, as well as Region 25, stretching from Chivhu in Mashonaland East to Mvuma, led by Coordinator Jonathan Chamunorwa,
In Manicaland province there are four ZCC regions, which are Regions 21, 22, 23 and 24.
They are under the leadership of Coordinators – Kokerai Chikanyire of Birchenough and Nyanyadzi, Watson Chibonda of Chimanimani and Chipinge, John Mabonore of Mutare, Penhalonga and Hauna Centres, Lovemore Makan’a of Buhera and Rusape, and Region 15 under Coordinator Dakarai Makuyana, which stretches from Chibuwe and Checheche in Manicaland to Save Centre in Masvingo Province.
Bulawayo, and Matebeleland North and South Province have Regions 5 under Coordinator Pepukai Chaduka of Bulawayo and Gwanda Centres, Region 6 led by Mr Saul Rutsate of Victoria Falls, Hwange and Lupane areas, and Region 11, led by Piniel Muvhunzwi, which stretches from Beitbridge to Mwenezi areas in Masvingo Province and Mberengwa in Midlands.
In Midlands province there are now six from the previous three regions. Coordinator Emmanuel Mahobele is now leading Region 9, which consists of two centres – Mapanzure and Zvishavane, with 36 tabernacles.
Kwekwe and Gweru Centres are now in region 7, with 37 parishes and 51 tabernacles, under the leadership of Coordinator Samuel Mukukura.
Shurugwi and Chachacha Centres fall under Coordinator Moses Zuva, with five greaters and 34 tabernacles.
Mr Douglas Jeremia Muperi is the new Regional Coordinator for Region 32, which stretches from Nembudzia in Gokwe North to Sanyati in Mashonaland West Province.
Region 33, under Coordinator Amos Mupinga, stretches from Gokwe South district to parts of Matebeleland North areas – Nyaje and Kana Mission, and consists of three centres and 104 tabernacles.
Defe, the headquarters of the church, Chilimba and CMB-Nemangwe Centres now fall under region 34 led by Coordinator Alphios Wabaye. It has thirteen Greaters and ninety tabernacles.
Bishop Mutendi also appointed a team of twelve senior church members to lead the dissemination of information in the new administrative regions.