TACC History in Zimbabwe
On Saturday the 27th of October 1986, three destined men crossed the Limpopo River into Zimbabwe in a Nissan Bluebird. They had plans to start evangelising from Harare, the Capital City of Zimbabwe. The men were Overseer Caesar Nongqunga (Current Chief Apostle), District Elder Wesley Ntobongwana and Community Elder John Kunaka.
District Apostle Wesley Ntobongwana
Chief Apostle Caesar Nonqunga
District Apostle John Kunaka
They stopped over in the Southern town – Masvingo – to see Christopher Kunaka’s family. They discovered on arrival at house number 7 Shungu St., Pangolin, residence to Christopher Kunaka and family that he, Christopher Kunaka, (brother to John Kunaka) was in prison at Mutimurefu. The wife Merjury Kunaka was there. The incarceration really disturbed the visitors from South Africa as such, Overseer C.Nongqunga declared the release of C.Kunaka from prison. They took their rest at Christopher Kunaka’s house and that is where evangelism kick started in Zimbabwe. Mrs M. Kunaka was instructed to go and invite others for the evening service by Overseer C. Nongqunga. She did so, and amongst the invited were Mrs Egita Matondo and Mrs Mercy Mkandla.
On the 28th of October 1986, a Sunday service was held at 7 Shungu St, Pangolin. More people came for the Sunday service including Elizabeth Mufara (sister to Mrs Kunaka). What was unique about the Gospel of these men was “The Baptism of The Dead on the living” 1 Cor. 15. They were teaching about forgiveness of sins, purification of souls as well as receiving the Holy Spirit. The visitors from South Africa had a letter they had been sent with to give to Joyce Chirashanye and upon delivering the letter, they invited her too with her family to the evening service. However, father and mother J. Chirashanye were very advanced in age and for that reason, the evening service was scheduled to be held at Chirashanye homestead. Juliet Chingwe was invited to the Church on this visit. No one had ever heard of this kind of teaching. Amongst the congregants was Max Chirashanye who upon hearing this teaching decided to turn his back and go home. After the service, the visitors travelled back to South Africa. After some time, the three men again decided to go on a second trip to Harare now to see Edward Kunaka (another brother to John Kunaka) for evangelism. However, they didn’t proceed to Harare but decided to stay and evangelise in Masvingo. Two weeks later C. Kunaka was released from prison. After his release, C. Kunaka testified to his best friend Samuel Chikurumani. M. Mkandya testified to Paul Muzekenyi and Vincent Guvi. V. Guvi then shared the word with Bonface Changwereza after a funeral service at Gwara family who had been testified to by E. Matondo.
The growth of the Church in Zimbabwe
On 7 February 1987, M. Kunaka requested to have a girl child and it was confirmed so by Overseer C. Nongqunga leading to the birth of Blantina Kunaka their only daughter. Gwinyai Matondo who had abdominal problems since birth was also healed by the word. Phillip Mhlanga and Dhondo were also testified by V. Guvi and brought to Church. Masimba Masiiwa was also testified to by M. Kunaka when he was working at TM Supermarket. M. Masiiwa went on also to testify Theodora Mundondo who was just a friend and they later got married. Maxwell Gubunje was also testified to by his sister Juliet Chingwe. M. Gubunje together with M. Masimba then went to testify to David Chingombe. D. Chingombe’s wife – Varaidzo Chingombe – was seriously ill at the time her husband was testified, but she was healed by the word by then District Elder Mthembo under the instruction of Apostle D.S. Phakathi.
The first community in Zimbabwe became Masvingo urban with families Kunaka, Matondo, Mkandla, Masiiwa, Chikurumani and Sister Joice Chirashanye. These familiesstarted inviting their friends and relatives till later Guvi, Changwereza, Chingwe and Dhondo families among others were testified.
The increase of church members meant more work. Accountability and stewardship became a necessity. In 1988, six people were appointed as Deacons by Community Elder Kapokola who was on his way from South Africa to Zambia. Amongst the first deacons were Christopher Kunaka, Vincent Guvi, Boniface Changwereza, Dhondo, Absolom Chingwe and Samuel Chikurumani. The arrival of Chief Apostle D.S. Phakathi, saw appointment of a second batch of deacons, and the first group were anointed to become Priests. This second group included John Masiiwa, Philip Mhlanga, Maxwell Gubunje, Charles Gambiza, Hamisi Office, David Gogo, Simon Moyo, Cephas Ndonde, George Chamunorwa, Spector Manyika and Champion Mukosera. The Church continued to grow in terms of numbers and opening up of new grounds from 1990 upwards.
The first Sealing was held at Masvingo Christian College in 1987. It was conducted by Chief Apostle D.S. Phakathi who came in the company of Overseers C. Nongqunga, Naphthan Mlangeni, A.W. Ntobongwana, Vusumuzi Nxobo, Sako, Michael T. Ntonga and Dumani Mtsolongo. The members of the first community were the first members to be sealed on this occasion about 89 in total.
From 1987 up to 2003 the sealing service was the only major event that was being done in Zimbabwe yearly. In between these sealing services Apostle C. Nongqunga was sending Overseer A.W. Ntobongwana who was tireless in keeping, teaching and encouraging establishment of communities in and around Masvingo and Zimbabwe at large. The word started to spread like veld fire all over the districts and provinces of Zimbabwe.