2018 Zimbabwe East Annual Conference

Delegates, clergy and observers gathered at Old Mutare Mission for the 18^th session of the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference, held Dec. 15-16, under the leadership of Bishop Eben K. Nhiwatiwa. The theme was forging ahead with transition as we make disciples for Jesus Christ.

The conference reflected and celebrated on what God enabled the church to do — highlighting successes and identifying shortcomings — then came up with recommendations and resolutions to move forward to a future with hope.

Lay leaders reported that while the economic situation remained on the challenging side, the church experienced God's sustaining grace in many facets of the life of the church.

"We do not doubt that everyone has a testimony to tell of how God has amazingly sustained them during the period in question. God is faithful," reported Simon Mafunda and Justice Hlekani Mwayera, conference lay leaders. "We cannot hide the joy and excitement that we have as we are loaded with success stories to tell."

Boards and committees reported the state of the church as being alive, moving on and in good health despite the challenges and setbacks faced during the year.

"Irrespective of the challenges we are facing, the general picture is that our people are doing their best in seeing that a variety of ministries take place at every level of the church; ground breakings, dedications, revivals, projects, partnerships, all these are happenings of a lively church," said Nhiwatiwa.

"Our hope is that the economic challenges which our nation is facing shall be a thing of the past. We therefore pray that God continues to give wisdom and guidance to our leaders," he said. "We should not lose hope for better days ahead will in deed come our way. Zimbabwe is poised to grow. It shall be very strong in the southern Africa."

The conference is growing from strength to strength, both spiritually and numerically, evidenced by new converts coming and committing themselves to Christ during revivals, conventions and Sunday worship services. 

The Rev. Godfrey Gaga, conference statistician, reported that congregations are increasingly expanding in all spheres and bounds "This growth gives us the confidence to note that the church is in good shape, steady, stable and is moving on," Gaga said.

The conference celebrated the winning of 2,620 souls to Christ through evangelistic and witnessing efforts of charges, societies and districts. 

"Bringing more people to Christ shall forever remain a key focus. We therefore give sincere thanks to preaching points, circuits and districts who are resonantly showing commitment in bringing people to Christ," Nhiwatiwa said.

Membership stands at 88,644, an increase of 2,548 (3 percent) from 2017. Weekly average worship attendance stands at 47,746. Average Sunday school participation stands at 23,778. 

Members are supporting the church through offerings, tithe, harvest and donations despite the harsh economic environment. All districts recorded growth in their giving and a total of $1,062,435.19 was raised through harvest thanksgiving, marking a 13.46 percent increase from 2017.

The conference adopted an expenditure budget of $2,083,589 for 2019

The development of Christian leaders is reported as an ongoing exercise through leadership training programs, retreats and academies. The conference celebrated two publications by local authors: "Everything Belongs to God: Christian Stewardship" by the Rev. Sophirina Sign and "Introducing Theology to the Laity" by the Rev. John Wesley Z. Kurewa.

Conference highlights

The conference voted in support of Amendment 1 dealing with women's equality.

A total of 196 pastors received appointments to serve in the year 2019.

Three clergy member were ordained as elders, with an average age of 34.

The Rev. Jaison Muzarurwi is the only clergy member who retired at this conference session after serving 31 years in ministry.

Conference elected six clergy and six laity as delegates to the 2020 Africa Central Conference.  The first two clergy and the first two laity also will serve as delegates to the 2020 General Conference.

Pastors' children were baptized during the closing service.

The conference resolved that:

1. A date be set aside that will be committed to praying for the special session of the General Conference 2019 across the whole conference.
2. A school fees bursary be revived or set in terms of which pastors with children enrolled at our mission schools pay between 25 percent and 30 percent of the school fees.
3. Compensation Sunday be included on the conference calendar.
4. Circuits work out payment plans to clear arrears and submit their undertaking to districts for close supervision and monitoring including for pastors who would have transferred.
5. Ten pastors have been recommended to go for initial training.
6. Districts and units that did not pay their full 2018 budget allocations toward head office construction will carry over the outstanding budgets into 2019.
7. The observance of Nherera Sunday continues as it was before.

For the first time, the annual conference was broadcast live via web streaming. More than 9,000 viewers watched the proceedings.

The 2019 annual conference 19th session will be held at Old Mutare Mission Dec. 7-8.

— Priscilla Muzerengwa, communicator for the Zimbabwe East Conference.