Demystifying the Assemblies of God-Spritual Movement Crusaders mystery

Marondera State of The Street Address (Sosa)

By Jairos Saunyama aka The Village Reporter!

Marondera- Assemblies Of God (AOG) is a well known spiritual movement in Marondera and other towns and cities. In this farming town, it was popularised by non other than the late Reverend Francis Mabhindauko Nyika.

Some of its branches are in Cherima and Cherutombo High Density suburbs while others are reminded of it by those branded Toyota Quantums and that truck that is popular with crusades.
Nyika was succeeded by young Phillip Zinyama who is currently the leader despite resistance from others including some members of the Nyika family.
The AOG succession battle resulted in some congregants accussing Zinyama of not being the ‘Chosen One’ saying if he is a man of God why doesn’t he have a child. Some went on to claim that his predecessor, the late Nyika, had said he would never bear a child.
When Zinyama took over the leadership of AOG, he was only 28.

Reverend Zinyama who is now 32 welcomed a son after his wife gave birth on September 25.
The boy was christened MurikoIshe Samuel.
The baby’s name could be a response to those who spread the false news to the effect that the church leader was not going to be a father.
In AOG, some congregants believed that a leader should be married and be a father or mother.

Last Sunday, a group of people led by one of the Nyika family l besieged the AOG church premises in Cherima with the aim to stop church services
The group, armed with a Headman Mubayiwa verdict to ‘ban’ the church locked the gates but later opened them-allegedly after realising that they had no jurisdiction to do so as stated by the Customary law and local courts act which regulates all local courts.
Headman Mubayiwa said the church’s doctrine is anti-cultural.
It is not a secret that AOG has two factions, with a battle to control some of the church properties.
The Pastor’s House in Samoyo is currently occupied by Innocent Kativhu who was served with an eviction notice by the church.

The eviction case is before the courts.
The new AOG leader Zinyama since taking the reigns in August 2020 has purchased a Quantum, a coaster and a 15 tonne Mercedes Benz truck, a 4000 sqm church stand in Mutare, a 2000 sqm church stand in Manyame, and another one in Headlands among other properties.
According to sources, problems with the church began after Zinyama who is a computer engineer by profession implemented the move of not paying Pastors.

Currently , the church has no full time Pastors , with preachers doing so voluntarily. This could be the reason why Spiritual Movement has managed to acquire so many assets in short space of time.

As it stands, it seems the battle over the control of the movement is heading for interesting times.

NB:SOSA is published each and every week at Marondera Residents Open Forum (MAROF) Whatsap platform. For more information contact Jairos Saunyama on 077347397