THE roaring sound of Save River was instantly diluted as members of the Phillip Musuwa Mugodhi Apostolic Faith Church (MAFC) churned the popular hymn song Chitenderano.
It is a Tuesday, but the large gathering, of about tens of thousands of pilgrims, told a story of how special the day was.
The bare car park including South African registered vehicles was filled to capacity forcing motorists to seeks space along the Nyazura-Chivhu Highway.
Despite the unimaginable numbers at this venue at the banks of Save River in Dorowa, Manicaland province, the purpose of the day was concluded in perfection and precision.
On this day, MAFC was having its Passover event, a highly regarded spiritual exercise, also popularly known in vernacular as Pasika.
But more importantly, the event marked the newly installed MAFC leader, Bishop Phillip Musuwa’s first moment to lead “Pasika”.
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Although he has been a congregant for decades, Musuwa, who recently told over from the late Aaron Munodawafa, the octogenarian, with the help of other spiritual elders executed the exercise with finesse and etiquette.
Munodawafa died early this year aged 111 years and was buried in his rural home of Gutu, Masvingo province.
“The numbers here are overwhelming, but I am happy that everyone who travelled to this shrine, with the guidance of the Holy Spirit, undertook in the process,” said Musuwa, with vigour after breaking the unleavened bread and drinking the wine, just like what Jesus Christ did in the Bible.
However, unlike Jesus, who served the Passover to his disciples, Musuwa led the process which saw more than 7 000 people receiving the holy bread and sacred wine.
“We are an apostolic sect, but we honour the Passover feast. In the Bible, Jesus ordered us to do that oftenly in remembrance of him,” Musuwa told NewsDay Weekender.
“We totally believe in it (Passover) because we remember the sacrifices of our Lord Jesus Christ through it. We are guided by Mathew 26 verse 17-30.”
As he led the process, MAFC’s first and second deputies Enock Mapfumo (89) and Enock Matanda (88), were closely monitoring.
Despite a legal battle over the control of MAFC in which the Musuwa-led church won against Tadeau Mugodhi’s son, Washington’s faction, the turnout at Dorowa was in a class of its own.
The Musuwa-led MAFC secretary for legal affairs, Davison Mangoma, told the gathering that they had taken up their case to evict Washington’s team from the church property.
“The turnout at this year’s Passover shows that congregants have faith in their leadership and administration. This shows the growth of the church,” Mangoma said.
“I am happy for our newly installed leader. Thousands of people attended this Passover gathering, it was a massive start for him.
“I am glad to inform you that the eviction court process case
has been slated during the week of May 4-8.”
MAFC was formed in 1947 following a split from the then Kruger Apostolic Faith Mission, which consisted of members mainly from the white community.
In 1948, a large gathering was held at Chitsunge, Chokore village in Buhera, where Elijah Mugodhi was installed as bishop, hence the name “Mugodhi”.
Born in 1899, Elijah Mugodhi led the congregation from 1949 until the time of his death in 1971.
Following his death, his deputy, one Chakuwinga took over as the new leader.
Chakuwinga was succeeded by his vice, known as Chikwenha, who after his death as well, was succeeded by Mabvuwiwa.
Mabvuwiwa then handed the baton to the late Thadeau Mugodhi, who was the son of the founding bishop Elijah.
However, before his demise, Thadeau appointed his own son, Washington, against the MAFC’s constitution, leading into a split.
Washington now leads his own small congregant.
After the split, the legally recognised MAFC was then led by the late Munodawafa, who due to old age was assisted by his first vice-president, the late Tony Sigauke.
Both Munodawafa and Sigauke were declared liberation war heroes by the government.