Apostolic Leaders Publicly Endorse Magaya in PHD Church Visit
Story By Staff Reporter
Apostolic church leaders visited Prophet Walter Magaya’s Prophetic Healing and Deliverance (PHD) Ministries and endorsed him publicly. As a result, the visit has sparked fresh debate about how apostolic and Pentecostal churches relate in Zimbabwe.
Visitors welcomed from the pulpit
During the service, Magaya welcomed the visiting leaders. He then invited them to introduce themselves and address the congregation. The guests included several church fathers, who gave their names and the congregations they lead. Together, they said they minister to believers in Zimbabwe, Southern Africa and Central Africa. In addition, one leader holds degrees in psychology and theology, according to the introductions.
“I saw love”
One visiting leader spoke at length. As soon as he walked through the door, he said, “I saw love.” Nothing on earth is greater than love, he added.
Next, he challenged the idea that apostolic and Pentecostal churches cannot work together. After all, both worship one Lord, Jesus, he stressed.
He also admitted that he once held a very different view of the prophet. Because of negative claims from other people, he had believed Magaya was not a man of God. Today, however, he calls himself a “blind leader.” He credited Jesus with changing his mind through a dream. In the dream, he said, he learned that PHD is “not a mere church” but a ministry that encompasses all churches.
“Barriers” between churches
Individual churches usually stay within their own members and their own leaders’ protocols, he argued. A ministry, however, can cross denominational lines. For that reason, the visit aimed to “break that barrier” between apostolic, indigenous and other churches.
Magaya, he said, is a mentor and a spiritual father who helps other churches grow. Earlier, the delegation’s leader had told them, “Pano pane chibaba” (“Here there is a great father”). The prophet, he said, is that figure. Finally, the leader expects PHD to spread “to all nations” and promised to return with more members of his congregation.
Wider debate
Meanwhile, social media commentators have picked up the visit. One commentator says the endorsement raises a bigger question: do apostolic and Pentecostal Christians share the same doctrine, values and gospel? He recalled that Magaya has written a book about apostles and invited viewers to share their opinions. Furthermore, he pointed to an upcoming PHD event that people are looking forward to.
Context
The endorsement comes as Magaya faces multiple rape charges involving adult female congregants and employees. This week, the Harare Magistrates Court postponed his trial to November 30, pending finalisation of related proceedings at the High Court. However, the allegations remain unproven in court, and he has no conviction.
