The United Church of Christ in Zimbabwe (UCCZ) has ordained its first visually impaired pastor.
Reverend Caiphas Matinhe (61), was ordained by the church’s president, Reverend John Matiza, on Sunday last week.
Rev Matinhe urged church members to take ownership of the church and to serve sacrificially. He said:
This year’s theme is that of ownership. Strive to be the owner of your church and be a team player. We like people who serve sacrificially.
What Rev Matinhe has done is a great work of sacrifice. It is fitting that Rev Godfery Dhundu and Rev Tennyson Mucheri recommended Caiphas Matinhe to be ordained as a reverend.
Rev Matinhe was born on 25 October 1960 in Masimbe area under Chief Musikavanhu and became a devoted adherent of UCCZ Church.
He rose through the ranks of the youth system, the Christian Youth Fellowship (CYF) until he was made an evangelist.
Rev Matinhe dropped out of school while doing Grade Four due to challenges with his eyesight.
As an evangelist, Matinhe was first assigned to Mafumise Church, Gwenzi Church, before going to Mwacheta.
He has a wife and the couple has five children, four boys and one girl.