Rumbi on being a member of a Mapostori Church

Sometimes the best way to understand a person is to simply ask. In some situations simply observing is not enough to develop a true and comprehensive understanding. That being said, we have all heard the stereotypes surrounding the Apostolic sect, Mapostori. Most of us have heard remarks about how these churches are for the poor and uneducated, how their members live within restrictive do and don’ts.

You may be wondering why I am so curious about the Mapostori sect, the truth is there is a Mapostori sect who conducts its services on my route to work, and I have watched the church grow from as little as 20 members to over 200 in little under a year. Such increasing popularity led me to why the numbers are increasing where people seldom have anything good to say about the Church. I myself have never attended a Mapostori church service but in my pursuit of better understanding I have invited a young Zimbabwean lady to answer a few questions for me. 

Welcome to October Madness Rumbi.

·         Before we get into the thick of things, please introduce yourself…

Rumbi: My name is Rumbidzai Kaseke and just to set this record straight l am not a full member of the Johane Masowe but my family is; mum, dad and a number of my brothers but all of us we attend church there.

·         I know there are many variations of Mapostori churches all with their different beliefs and practice, Tell us about your specific church…

Rumbi: My church is the original Johane Masowe Chishanu purely white garment church

·         What does religion mean to you?

Rumbi: To me religion is not just limited to believing in God it goes beyond that, practicing Christian beliefs, living in harmony with everyone regardless of their well being and a whole lot more.

·         How long have you been a Mupostori?

Rumbi: Since 2001

·         I remember in the run up to this interview you spoke about how you used to be Anglican, what prompted you to move from Anglican to Mapostori?

Rumbi: There are certain deliverances that we seek that are not found in the Anglican Church. A more spiritual intervention that we could not find in the Anglican Church.

·         Are there any similarities that exist between the Anglican Church and Mapostori?

Rumbi: Yes we all worship the Lord and strive for a better relationship with God. We all acknowledge that there is the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.

·         Obviously there are many differences between the two churches, let’s talk about the differences

Rumbi: Certainly there are a lot of differences. Unlike the Anglican Church were people just go to pray many people attend masowe “kunoshandirwa” that is to be helped spiritually. You find that many people belong to other churches such as Catholic, Anglican, AFM, and Salvation Army but when they start facing spiritual troubles in which they want a true man of God they attend masowe. We live by prophecy and are always involved in a lot of prayers.

·         You got very fired up when we discussed people’s perceptions of your Church, if you had an opportunity to address everyone who misunderstands your church what would you tell them?

Rumbi: Many people ridicule masowe they think that attending masowe means that you are poor, illiterate and destitute. In actual fact 3/4 of people who attend masowe have degrees are managers, directors, teachers, doctors, nurses, businesspeople. They have good lives on face but have spiritual troubles which only true men and women of God can help to solve. 

All of us have troubles; you have trouble, l have troubles. Some (troubles) have not shown themselves to you today and you think all is well but go and ask your parents, sit down with them and ask them what real life is all about when they explain and you will be entirely shocked.

      A person chooses their own way of worshipping God and if the masowe way is not attractive to you    leave it alone. Why ridicule? Why judge? Because we move around without shoes or we do not use       a          building as church or we don’t use umbrellas to keep ourselves from the harsh forces of nature?

We do drive the BMWs Benz the flashy cars, we own the house gadgets but all that we shall leave here on earth when we all die. So there is really nothing spectacular about them.

·         Are you dating within your church or you don’t mind dating men who are not members of your church?

Rumbi: Nope l have never dated anyone from the church. It is not mandatory that people from the same church marry. One does as they wish

·         As a 20 something year old woman living in the 21^st century, are you prepared to enter into a polygamous marriage?

 Rumbi: Johane Masowe Chishanu does not approve of polygamous marriage

·         What are your thoughts on the notion of Mapostori churches who do not believe in seeking medication when they are ill?

Rumbi: Johane Masowe allows its members to go to hospitals but what people do not understand is that first you need to seek God for guidance mind you all those nurses and doctors are human beings just like you and me prone also to the manipulation of the devil what the church does is seek guidance and protection from the Holy Spirit before going to the hospital. But we live by prophecy and if it prophesized that when a certain illness befalls people do not go to hospitals to seek medical attention we do not go. Children are born in clinics hospitals and are given their BCGs as per regulation. As for other churches l cannot speak for them.

·         Any parting words?

Rumbi: There is more to life than meets the eye.