Joseph Guti has assumed leadership of the ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries after being ordained as the Presiding Bishop on Sunday.
He is the grandson of the late church founder, Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti.
As reported by <a href="https://www.zbcnews.co.zw/zaoga-ordains-new-leader/">ZBC News</a>, the ordination took place at the Africa Multination for Christ College (AMFCC) in Glen View, Harare, during a ceremony attended by hundreds of congregants and religious leaders from around the world.
During the event, ZAOGA FIF Secretary General Mishael Nyambo said Guti had been accepted by the executive as the ordained Presiding Bishop and entrusted with the mandate to lead the church. Said Nyambo:
<blockquote>
So according to the Constitution of the ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries and the guidance rules and policy, it empowers the executive to make such decisions.
And there is nothing that we do without another appointment and the endorsement of their executive.
So we are so glad that Dr Joseph Guti was accepted by the executive to be the presiding bishop ordained and given the mandate to lead the church.
And we believe that you continue to unite us because our father before he left home, left us united and we are continuing in that same spirit. The church is at peace.
</blockquote>
The appointment of Joseph Guti comes 14 months after the passing of Archbishop Ezekiel Guti, who was declared a national hero.
Joseph Guti said ZAOGA Forward in Faith Ministries has been expanding globally, recently inaugurating a new church in South Korea. He said:
<blockquote>
It is a task that I don’t take lightly. But the good news is that we are continuing in the solid footsteps and solid foundation laid by our father, the founding father and president.
The visionary of the Ministry laid the strong foundation for ZAOGA Faith in Ministries for 63 years before his departure after he was promoted to glory.
So as a church, we have been moving forward in faith, as our name says, in unity, in love, in prayer, in the fear of God. So we are so thankful for the atmosphere of unity that is prevailing in the church.
And we have good news that even this year, we have opened a new church in South Korea.
So we are talking about the growth and expansion of the church. And I’m not working alone.
</blockquote>
Joseph is married to Nyasha M. Guti, who is a powerful teacher of the word of God. She holds a BSC. Degree in Computer Science (U.Z.) and Master of Science in Strategic Management (CUT).
Nyasha also holds a Diploma in Microfinance Management, a Diploma in Biblical Studies and Christian Leadership from AMFCC as well as a Bachelor of Biblical Studies and Christian Leadership Degree.
The practice of children succeeding their fathers in church leadership, often termed hereditary succession, is relatively common worldwide, particularly in Pentecostal and Charismatic churches.
This trend is evident in various denominations and cultures, especially within family-run churches or megachurches.
Proponents of hereditary succession argue that maintaining leadership within the family fosters continuity and stability for the congregation.
They believe that the successor is likely to share the same vision and values as their predecessor, ensuring the church’s mission remains consistent.
Conversely, critics contend that this practice can lead to nepotism, where positions are awarded based on family connections rather than merit.
They also argue that keeping leadership within the family may hinder the introduction of fresh ideas and perspectives that could benefit the church.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Pindula News

Joseph Guti is now the leader of ZAOGA church after being ordained as Presiding Bishop. He follows his grandfather, the church's founder. The ordination ceremony took place in Zimbabwe and was attended by many people. The church has been growing and recently opened a new church in South Korea. Joseph Guti's wife is also a teacher of the Word of God. Some people think it is good for children to take over from their parents in church leadership, but others worry about favoritism and lack of new ideas.

Joseph Guti Ordained As Presiding Bishop Of ZAOGA

The body of Archbishop <a href="https://pindula.co.zw/Ezekiel_Guti">Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti</a>, the late founder and leader of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Forward in Faith International Ministries will be repatriated to Zimbabwe on Saturday, 22 July, a church official has said.
Guti died in South Africa on 05 July, just a few weeks after he had celebrated his 100th birthday.
In a notice to congregants in Greater Harare, Norton and Chitungwiza, ZAOGA FIF secretary general Apostle M. Nyambo said Guti’s remains will arrive at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport around midday this Saturday. Said Nyambo:
<blockquote>
We announce the homecoming of our Father, who is accompanied by our mother, Archbishop Prof. Eunor Guti and the family this Saturday, 22 July 2023, around 12:00 pm.
We, therefore, encourage Greater Harare, Norton, and Chitungwiza members to come in numbers and honour our Father at the Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport, Harare, on this historic day.
We will line up along Airport Road from the Airport Roundabout to Braeside Roundabout before the convoy proceeds to the Parlour.
You are encouraged to wear any ZAOGA FIF regalia for this occasion. Designated parking spaces have been identified, and details will be communicated by the organisers soon.
Those from outside Harare are encouraged to come for the Grand Celebrations scheduled for 3-6 August 2023.
The Overseers and the Bishops are welcome to represent their Provinces.
</blockquote>
ZAOGA FIF members are currently observing a 30-day mourning period, which started on 06 July 2023 in honour of Guti.
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

Ezekiel Guti's Body Set To Be Repatriated On 22 July

President Emmerson Mnangagwa’s condolence message following the death of Archbishop Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti, the late founder and leader of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Forward in Faith International Ministries.
<blockquote>
CONDOLENCE MESSAGE BY HIS EXCELLENCY THE PRESIDENT, DR E.D MNANGAGWA, FOLLOWING THE PASSING ON OF ARCHBISHOP EZEKIEL HANDINAWANGU GUTI, HARARE, 6TH JULY 2023
The news of the passing on yesterday of Archbishop Dr. Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti left me deeply shattered and saddened.
Nearly two months ago, on May 14, I joined countless congregants of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa, ZAOGA Forward in Faith, and many eminent Zimbabweans in celebrating 100 years of his devout life so eventfully lived.
Beyond celebrating the gift of life, we, in unison, basked in the joy and belief that our Nation stood uniquely blest and favoured by the Almighty to have in its midst such a great figure who personified longevity, tenacious faith, compassion and a givenness to serving mankind, especially in the broad areas of human development, as never witnessed before.
Sadly, that joy has now turned short-lived, leaving our Nation all the poorer and plunged in profound grief.
A humble man of deep scriptural convictions, Archbishop Dr. Ezekiel Guti lived his Faith. Today his works and footprints indelibly abound across the length and breadth of our Nation, well beyond the vast, national movement of congregants and places of worship that he led.
He built institutions and led interventions that positively impacted the social life of the broad citizenry of our Nation.
A strong proponent of education for his African brethren, Dr. Guti leaves behind countless educational institutions that he painstakingly built and incrementally scaffolded, leading to the iconic Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University.
Never has so much been developed and achieved from so little and slander means, only compensated for by so big a heart, so abundant faith and sheer determination.
Today the Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University ranks high among private institutions which dispense higher education to our Nation, and certainly stands apart as the only one founded and developed from efforts of indigenous Pentecostal evangelism.
In the health sector, the Mbuya Dorcas Hospital which Dr Guti and Amai, Apostle Eunor Guti, founded, stands prominent in national health delivery, forever bearing testimony to how a Couple of deep faith saves many lives, thus becoming a wonderful blessing to a people and a whole Nation.
As our hearts grieve over Dr Guti’s sad demise, still we celebrate a life well lived and the numerous wondrous gifts of social development he bequeathed to our Nation. 
Above all, we cherish the rare example of excelling practical faith, and the deep humanity which he personified.
On behalf of our Nation which he served with all his heart and soul, that of Government, my Family and on my own behalf, I wish to express my deepest, heartfelt condolences to the Zimbabwean Church Fraternity, and the Guti Family, especially to Apostle Eunor Guti and the children, on this their saddest loss. 
May they derive solace and comfort from the knowledge that our Nation which is immeasurably indebted to the late departed, stands with them during this hour of deep grief and bereavement, and will forever be inspired by Dr Guti’s deep faith and indelible works whose wholesome impact on numerous lives is already recorded, and will remain assured across generations to come.
We beseech God the Almighty to grant this great man eternal rest in the life beyond.
</blockquote>
More: <a href="https://www.pindula.co.zw/">Pindula News</a>

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