Libinance Dokora.
Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Forward in Faith) founding leader and National Hero Archbishop Ezekiel Guti was laid to rest in Bindura on Thursday.
The late Archbishop Ezekiel Guti passed away on July 5 at the age of hundred years in the neighbouring country South Africa becoming the second general of faith in religious circles to be accorded the honour of national hero status in the history of Zimbabwe.
He was laid to rest at his old church which he commenced in 1960 under eucalyptus tree on a mountain in Bindura.
The mountain where Guti was buried became known by many church members as the mountain of miracles as it was a place where the late church founder started his church, gleaned from the bible and performed many miracles. The mountain later became an epicentre for prayers to many people across the world.
Guti is recorded as one of the national heroes who were not buried at the national shrine after being conferred with the national hero status resorting to be laid to rest at the destinations of their choice.
Minister of State for Provincial Affairs and Devolution Senator Monica Mavhunga expressed her gratitude to President Mnangagwa for honouring the late ZAOGA Church founder with National Hero status and added that his resting place had a special history for ZAOGA.
“ZAOGA was born at this place and the Holy Spirit led Baba Guti here from Highfield. He went on to commit years of dedication and selflessness in preaching God’s word all over the world,” she said.
“He built a university a few kilometres from here. The university is contributing to education and innovation as the country heads towards Vision 2030.”
The majority of Zimbabweans commended President Mnangagwa for conferring national hero status on the late Archbishop Guti.
Acting vice chancellor Professor Innocent Chirisa said the university and many other schools that Baba Guti built were an extension of the gospel.
“When the church began, he had the vision for the university. He had great value for education.
“His vision was to see a person being saved and delivered,” he said.
The university was established in 2012 and is the first Pentecostal university in Zimbabwe.
Thousands of people and delegates from countries across the world congregated at the cathedral to pay their last respect to the late national hero who was described by many as a spiritual giant.
Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti was a Zimbabwean Pentecostal archbishop. He was the founder and president of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa, one of the largest Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe, also known as Forward In Faith Ministries International worldwide.