We Met Again
I recently bumped into my good old friend Don, a very smart thinking and straight talking guy. We had not met for eternity because of his robust work agenda, but as we finally did he was his usual vibrant self and true to his reputation, he did not disappoint me. The guy is a moving powerhouse who loves no holds barred exchanges which are both controversial and inspirational.
The Charismatic Movement
On that great Thursday morning he shared with me some blast from the past. Clearly he was raised as a church person in the charismatic movement. He followed the narrow and straight path as a teenager and beyond, possibly to a few years past his varsity years. He is no longer with the born again churches but he has a lot of good to say about them. This prompted me to think more about the vicissitudes of being a Christian young man.
My Charismatic Journey
I am a first generation Charismatic Christian, raised as a member of a full gospel church or the charismatic kingdom. I got born again in the unassuming city of Kwe Kwe in the Midlands Province of Zimbabwe. My first Pastor was General Overseer Livert Ndlovu, a soft spoken humble man with a very big heart. It was under his tutelage that I first became a young preacher. Actually he is the man who believed in me in a big way to the point that he decided to make me his interpreter. We used to preach in English and Shona, I could do both languages comfortably. He also trained me to pray to the extent that I became a prayer warrior. He used to take me and my three friends Amos, David and Jackson for prayer sessions. He would pray with us all night long and inculcate a sense of responsibility in us. When the church decided to expand to another part of KweKwe called Amaveni he regularly deployed me as the preacher on numerous occasions. He gave me my preaching debut at the age of sixteen. That was a huge vote of confidence in my abilities. Over the years I have served in churches in various countries including Zimbabwe, South Africa and Lesotho among others.
The Skilled Church
It is a sobering thought to realize that the church is a pool of so many skills and yet a lot of people never seem to realize that especially concerning the Pentecostal Churches. I am a church boy and have been one since some thirty six years ago, this is why being a church person is the only life I truly understand, highly appreciate and truly respect. I am a product of a vibrant church system which empowered me to be a believer in God and have confidence in my God given abilities.
The Music Opportunity.
I spent several years as a member of the church choir and benefitted immensely from team work, personal and collective discipline which was nurtured through rigorous music practice sessions. I always joke with my daughter Queen Nyasha that I am the original musician in the family. She is also a product of a Pentecostal Church. She has broken new ground and is currently Lesotho’s best female Artist and The Best Gospel Artist. All her skills were honed in church and she continues to break new ground in Zimbabwe and Africa as her music soars on Spotify and other Music Forums including You Tube. Sahara of the Loliwe fame was the product of a charismatic church. Even the larger than life Beyoncé started as a church girl as did the unforgettable Whitney Houston who was a monster talent and considered by many a music goddess. The church has produced so many music icons. Yet many never appreciate the role it has played in our lives and societal dynamics.
The Digital Marketer
The abilities of my son Zoe Prosper who now runs a Digital Marketing company are known to all and sundry within my sphere. I can trace his success from the church where he started as an usher thereby getting the necessary discipline to do bigger things. He then graduated to the Media Department where he has excelled to new heights and even learnt how to assemble his own computer. A number of national leaders trust him with their corporate branding .Even leading CEOs are queuing for his services as a social media practitioner. The church has raised him to be a true champion in the Media Fraternity.
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Books and Pulpits
My wife Reverend Patience is now an established Public Speaker and Author who has penned two prolific books, Faith That Cannot be Denied and The Power of the Balanced Woman. She cut her trade as an Usher, a Counselor and a Youth Leader in Church. All these responsibilities in church have helped boost her confidence and turn her into a spiritual authority and guru of our times.
Faith and Prosperity
Many people have benefitted from the teachings in charismatic churches and others have become prolific teachers themselves. Enhanced Communication Networks better known as ECONET is the brain child of a church person known as Dr.Strive Masiyiwa who got the vision in a church and was encouraged by his pastor Tom Deuschle .Today it’s all history, but it is important to remember the roots of the company being birthed in a charismatic church. Vusi Tembekwayo, is a church person who is a multiple award winning business man. He is a stand out entrepreneur who is a philanthropist of note and repute. His Higherlife foundation has taken thousands of African children to world class universities littered across the globe.
Conclusion
The charismatic church has attracted its fair share of criticism but the truth is that it is an important market place strategist and enabler. It has taught people the art of confidence. It has taught them public speaking long before people knew the existence of Toastmasters. The church has taught many to become business people and many other amazing skills. This is why today I choose to be grateful to the life the church has given me. It is indeed a life giving organisation for me and many others. We all have something to be grateful to God over the empowerment which He has given us through the church. Jesus Christ remains the ultimate leader. Follow Him and many will follow you. Success is an attitude, let us meet at the top where you become the topic.
Dr Ted Msipa is Pastor, Author, Visionary and Public Speaker based in Maseru, Lesotho. He writes here in his personal capacity and view shared here do not necessarily reflect those of Africa News 24. He solves organisational development challenges and leadership challenges. Dr Ted can be reached on Coachted117@gmail.com or on +266 63177309.
