By Bridget Mukwena
Zion Christian Church members across the globe converged virtually last month to commemorate the day of Pentecost, with a small group gathered at Chegutu 1913 Wellness Centre in keeping with public health regulations.
In his sermon, leader of the church, Bishop Dr Nehemiah Mutendi, encouraged church members and social media followers to embrace the holy spirit and to grow spiritually, saying growth of the church can only manifest when people are being led by the holy spirit.
His Grace taught that the holy spirit seeks prayerful and dedicated Christians to dwell and manifest in, adding that when one is filled with the spirit they continue to grow in everything they do.
He urged members to dedicate time to teach each other and to wait upon the Lord for their prayers to be answered.
He said when Christians have matured spiritually, they show traits like listening, submission, commitment, pledging, converting people to Christ, unity, among many others.
Parish ministers were encouraged to submit reports of prophets who attend and those who absent themselves from holy spirit intercessions in their parishes. It was emphasised that such reports help in decision making and planning for the future.
The Bishop said prophets need vetting and certification to carry out their duties in the church, and this helped to control the scourge of some false prophets who practice using the church’s name.
He also urged church members to embrace the new culture of following live broadcasts, reporting in a timely manner, keeping registers, following the correct banking procedures and using social media in church administration.
He said a culture of transparency and good reporting can only take root when leaders are filled with the holy spirit.
Zion Christian Church members continue to commemorate the day of Pentecost each year at Chegutu in Zimbabwe.
The founder of the church, Reverend Samuel Mutendi, experienced his first encounter with the holy spirit in Chegutu, in 1913, tying the place with holy spirit baptism.