The Apostolic Faith Mission of Zimbabwe led by Reverend Cossam Chiangwa has been confirmed by Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) International.
Chiangwa told NewsDay in a recent interview.
He vowed that he would not leave AFM saying that’s the church he was brought up in. Chiangwa said:
We are AFM. My DNA is AFM. I will never change the birth certificate of the church organisation that I was raised in and called to serve by God. I will remain AFM until Jesus comes, together with all those that choose to worship and serve God under the flagship of the original AFM.
Some Context:
There were differences in the Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe over the proposed Constitutional Amendment (some of the amendments were eventually adopted.)
Chiangwa and his followers were against the amendments while the other side led by AFM in Zimbabwe’s former president, Reverend Aspher Madziyire pushed for the amendments.
The proposed Amendment, among other things, sought to centralise church funds, and abolish Appreciation (gifts and money given to pastors).
Resultantly, AFM split into two factions in 2018 with the church’s former general-secretary, Reverend Amon Madawo leading one, while Chiangwa (the church’s former deputy president) led the other faction.
The matter spilt into courts and Madawo’s side won the case. Chiangwa and his team were ordered to cease using the church name, symbols and properties.
- Download the full AFM COURT RULING (pdf)
- High Court Rules In Favour Of Madziyire, Madawo Side In AFM Church Dispute
- Chiyangwa Led AFM Faction Reject High Court Ruling, Approach Supreme Court
- AFM Saga: Rev Madawo Speaks Following Court Victory
This resulted in the formation of the AFM of Zimbabwe. Notable differences include the direction and colour of the cross on the symbols. While AFM in Zimbabwe’s cross is blue and tilted toward the right, the AFM of Zimbabwe’s is red and tilted toward the left.
AFM of Zimbabwe now uses the Mufaro Conference Centre instead of the Rufaro Conference Centre in Masvingo.
Importance of AFM International:
The Apostolic Faith Mission International is the fellowship body where AFM churches worldwide unite. From South Africa, the AFM grew into many countries on the African continent, Asia, Australia, Europe, North America and South America. These international churches of the AFM are linked up through the AFM International to which member countries affiliate.
When Madawo’s side won the court case, they automatically retained their membership in AFM International.
In August 2019, the AFMI invited only Madawo to a conference held at Kenyatta University. Chiangwa, regardless of not being invited, travelled for the conference but was stopped from attending meetings.
Therefore, without a bigger or international stage, they affiliate with, the AFM of Zimbabwe would have been isolated or remained a local church. This is captured in Chiangwa’s own words:
If AFM International had decided to throw me out, we would have remained street kids on the marketplace of churches, with the AFM DNA. We know no other parent.
It now means both AFM in Zimbabwe and AFM of Zimbabwe are affiliated with AFM International.