Last Wednesday Church on the Rock Ministries International marked 30 years of Christian service under the tutelage of Apostle George and Bishop Rosewittar Chikohwa .
By Staff Reporter
From a humble beginning at New Mabvuku Crèche in 1988, the Church on the Rock Ministries International has turned out to be the midwife of national repentance, revival, reformation and transformation of many nations where the ministry is found.
Today, the church celebrates the occasion at a unique service that unites congregants drawn from across the globe. The service will be held at Gazaland Shopping Centre, Highfield from 9:30am to 3pm.
“As the sheep, we are thanking our shepherd and shepherdess [Apostle George and Bishop Rosewittar Chikohwa] the two servants of God who helped establish this church and planted several ministry assemblies in different countries,” said Church on the Rock Ministries International Pastor Thembani Gonyora.
Apostle Chikohwa (60) and Bishop Rosewittar (58) responded to God’s call when they left one ministry to establish Church on the Rock Ministries International.
“The two left this other church where they were fellowshipping as per God’s instruction to establish Church on the Rock Ministries International. They did not take any member from the church or any musical instruments with them. They started the church from the rudimentary and the first church service was held at New Mabvuku Crèche on February 14 1988,” said Pastor Theos Chikohwa.
Apostle Chikohwa, who lost both parents at the age of four, married Bishop Rosewittar, who was orphaned at 14, in 1982 and the two went on an evangelism assignment.
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For 41 years, Apostle Chikohwa has ministered in Africa, Europe, North America and the Oceania, bringing salvation, restoration and hope to thousands through the great gospel of Jesus Christ.
“We are celebrating how God performed signs and wonders through Apostle Chikohwa. He made the blind see, the crippled walk and the dead rose from the dead, while lost souls were saved,” Gonyora said.
Establishing Church on the Rock Ministries International was not a stroll in the park for the couple but today the church has grown to be one of the biggest ministries on the globe.
Like in Mathew 16:18 where Jesus said, “I will build my church and the gates of Hades will not overcome it”, Church on the Rock Ministries International has planted ministry assemblies all over the country, especially in all towns and cities as well as in countries like South Africa, Namibia, Botswana, Zambia, Botswana, Mozambique, Australia, New Zealand, Dubai and Saudi Arabia, among others.
“Our father and mother as instructed by God went on a mission to plant ministries all over the world and on Sunday [today] we all congregate for a unique service to celebrate such wonderful work,” said Pastor Chikohwa.
“The anniversary celebrations kick off with a march from Machipisa Shopping Centre at 9:30am and we will reach at the venue at 11am for the main event. We are inviting everyone who seeks the true gospel of salvation to attend the service.”
With congregants being drawn from the church assemblies in Harare, including Chitungwiza, Avenues, Avondale, Hillside, Ruwa, Vainona, Glen View, Domboshava and Eastview/Mabvuku, as well as major cities across the country, the anniversary service would be characterised by life transformation testimonies, speeches from international guests and Apostle George and Bishop Rosewittar.
“The day will be characterised by testimonies from people from different countries… these will be testimonies of barren marriages, miracles, blind could see, the poor getting richer and the homeless getting places to stay,” Gonyora said.
“One of the testimonies would be from Overseer Wilbert Sita of Namibia who will share his experiences of how he joined the church from its early years to present day.”
A number of church members would be ordained on the day while nationalities would march along raising their respective national flags. “Five books will be launched on the day and you know Apostle George and Bishop Rosewittar are authors who have written more than 100 books between them,” said Pastor Chikohwa.
From Thursday, the Church on the Rock Ministries International had been running a leadership conference dubbed Higher Life Leaders’ Conference at the church’s headquarters at Gazaland Shopping Centre.
“We are just preparing for the biggest day on Sunday [today]. In a way, we are psyching our church leaders ahead of the anniversary,” said Gonyora.
Church on the Rock Ministries International is one of the several Christian ministries under the GL Chikohwa Evangelistic Association founded by Apostle George, which is one of the oldest organisations within the mainstream evangelical circles in Zimbabwe. The others include Voice of Healing World Evangelism and Glory to Glory Child Care Centre.
Apostle George’s ministering is anchored on the true gospel of salvation.
“Prosperity gospel is fast replacing the true gospel of salvation in Zimbabwe and over the years Apostle Chikohwa’s teachings revolve around the true gospel of Jesus Christ,” said Church on the Rock Ministries International deacon Jacob Esau.
“What makes Apostle Chikokwa a cut above the rest is that he has great skill in nurturing our growth as Christians. His ministering is about nurturing our relationship with God and remember that every relationship needs cultivation if it is to stay healthy.”
A passionate and vibrant servant of God, philanthropist and educator, Apostle Chikohwa bears numerous life transformation testimonies.
“He has played an important role in the lives of many. Glory to Glory Child Care Centre in Norton, which he founded alongside his wife, has done so well in changing the lives of many. The centre, which is now home to about 40 orphans, has produced medical doctors and many other professionals,” Esau said.
