User:Nomathembha Zwelibanzi/The General Faith Assembly in Zion Church

THE GENERAL FAITH ASSEMBLY IN ZION CHURCH OF THE INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF APOSTLES OF GOD OF S.A is a church that is found in South Africa, Swaziland and Lesotho. It was founded by Bishop S.W.S Moloi in 1936 in the town of HarriSmith Bantu Location, Free State Province. HISTORYThe General faith Assembly in Zion Church was founded in 1936 by Stephen W.S Moloi. The GFA members trace the founding of the church to a revelation which S.W.S Moloi is said to have received from GOD in 1934. The General Faith Assembly Church in Zion is registered in the South African Council of Churches as being founded in 1936. The church name came after one of the Leaders met a Doctor General at the then General Hospital in Johannesburg and later came in a form of a prophecy that came upon the Founder SWS Moloi and Bishop S.H Zwelibanzi, in a the old testament of Hebrews 12: 20-24 “For they could not endure that which was commanded, And if so much as a beast touch the     mountain, it shall be stoned, or thrust through with a dart:  And so terrible was the      sight, that Moses said, I exceedingly fear and quake. But ye are come unto mount Zion, and unto the city of the living God, the heavenly Jerusalem, and    to an innumerable company of angels, To the general assembly and church of the firstborn, which are written in heaven, and to     God the Judge of all, and to the spirits of just men made perfect, And to Jesus the     mediator of the new covenant, and to the blood of sprinkling, that speaketh better things than that of Abel.”

Therefore the agreed on the name and said:- “The name of this Christian body shall be THE GENERAL FAITH ASSEMBLY IN ZION CHURCH OF THE INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF APOSTLES OF GOD OF S.A” Originally the colors of the church was royal blue and red but it was later changed to royal blue and white due to supernatural vision or prophecy upon that came to the Prophetess which resulted in this alteration. The later church grew to an extend where it started to establish circuits and preaching station all over the country and neighbouring countries like Botswana with administrative powers centralized from Losberg to Evaton.

The core business of this church is to touch many lives of people in the country and neighbouring countries of Botswana, Lesotho and lately Swaziland through evangelizing people by preaching the word of GOD and  to heal the sick and to pray for people with  problems of physiological and spiritual origins.

BELIEFS The belief that the religious and administrative leader of the church (or bishop), he can perform supernatural acts and faith-healing in the name of Lord Jesus Christ In the holy bible That Jesus Christ is the son of GOD That a person contacts GOD through Jesus Christ in prayer. Purification from sins is obtained through prayer and repentance. Spirit possession is the work of the Holy Spirit. The belief that any officials of The GFA can use the power of the Holy Spirit to perform healing. The use of different mechanisms for faith-healing. These include the laying-on of hands; the use of holy water and wearing of blessed cords or cloth. The church is registered under section 21- Non Profit making Organizations as we believe it renders basic Social services to individuals for no gain and would appreciate support to realize the dream of putting up a structure that can enable fulfilment of its endeavours to the glory of GOD almighty. In the communion of the Holy Spirit we are joined together in discipleship and in obedience to Christ. At the table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ. Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture. In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end. Blessing, glory and honour be to God forever.

MILESTONE OF FAITH The General Apostolic Church in Zion Church (The GFA), since its inception in 1936 a product of prophecy continued to inspire and touching the lives of many people who came across its teaching and other services. The church is so meticulous in its teaching that the lives of its members also draw people to the church and it is today ranked amongst the largest churches in Southern Hemisphere. A major test for the church came in 1985 when the great prophetess “Starring” President NJ Zwelibanzi was called home by God after a job well-done of converting many to Christianity and to the laws of God. His passing away in 1985 was like a dark cloud has covered the world and thinking and the wisdom he had his death also symbolised the unity and peace. Through the mercy of God and His most high direction, the church continues to move ahead even though it broke into two after the passing away of the prophetess. All members of The General Apostolic Church in Zion Church continue to confess that Jesus is Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Saviour of the world. In 2001 the church faced one of its second strongest challenges that tested the faith of many believers when Bishop S.H Zwelibanzi was called home (he passed on). The church had to emerge from that painful experience under the leadership of the prophetess supported by the elders who were at that time in charge. Through the mercy of God and His most high direction, the church continues to move ahead even though it broke into two after the passing away of the prophetess. All members of The General Apostolic Church in Zion Church continue to confess that Jesus is Christ, the Son of the living God, and proclaim him Lord and Saviour of the world.

77th ANNIVERSARY CELEBRATION 77th Anniversary Celebration stands at the very centre of our lives. Christians say that it is essential to the ongoing of our lives. In remembering and doing the essential works of the Faith bound up in the sacraments, we recapture the faith. Throughout the Bible, the Lord reminds people to tell all generations of their LORD'S wonderful works. Part of what that means for us as churches is that we must preserve the memory of how God has worked in our lives. The 77th celebration will ensure that the future generations of churchgoers will know their roots and continue to grow the branches. Celebrations of The GFA anniversaries will further enlighten the past and provide a vision of hope for the future. As a church that has a strong and rich history – the 77th celebration provides an opportunity and a better sense of identity to build on for the future. This is a time to look back to rediscover how the church came into being, what its early ministry was like, and how it has grown and changed over the years. This celebration is geared to also giving individual members the opportunity to join together in focusing on the church as a body of believers who have been blessed by the Lord. It can also be a wonderful time to benefit from the gifts of the people. And it's an occasion for church members of all ages to tell and hear stories of the past and present days of the church.

THE MAJOR CHALLENGES GOING FORWARD The key challenge will be to sustain the generally positive mood in our church by maintaining the momentum of partnerships and strategic stakeholder relations through the delivery of a coherent and credible message which resonates with all communities. Building the capacity to ensure a coherent planning and effective implementation of the key strategies that will take the church forward. The GFA is at the confluence of major possibilities arising out of progress made in 77 years of its existence. Looking at the church today – it is clear that the advances made by far supersede the weaknesses. Yet, if the church can continue along the same trajectory, especially in respect of not responding to the immediate challenges through a robust strategic planning process - we could soon reach a point at which the negatives start to overwhelm the positives. If the church has to move to the higher growth and development path required for continued and faster progress towards a united, developmental church, the following will be necessary: Build a developmental church that is conscious of the environment it operates within. Build stronger regions anchored on the well functioning and self sustainable circuits. Strengthen financial management, accountability and clean administration of the church. Strengthen and provide training in theological programmes thereby building capacity to impact the lives of the people and making Disciples from our congregation. Provide leadership in preaching and practising the gospel of God (Practising what we preach). What is clear is that our plan going forward as The GFA should be anchored on coordinated approach: -      Have a common approach and strategy (Strategic plan with deliverables, milestones and target dates) -       Being disciplined and coordinated - Being sensitive to the environment within which the church is located and functions.

STRATEGIC FUTURE DIRECTION OF THE CHURCH The struggle that should characterise our approach going forward as the Church should be anchored in our Lord Jesus Christ. – Ephesians 4: 5“one LORD, one faith, one baptism” From the book of Ephesians as quoted above, it is clear that God will always be with us as long as we keep faith and to his rules. As a developmental church it is imperative to decide what strategies we will employ going forward. Those strategies should consider the environment within which we are operating, the developments within the state and a decision of whether we would like to be a developmental Church or not. The Great Prophet passed away in 1985 and at that time the church was had grown beyond anyone’s imagination. This great numbers were testament to the prophecy that was once delivered by the prophet. He said that God promised him that the nations are still on the way and he must make room for them, now his son presides Bishop V.W Zwelibanzi and is still on the same mission and a greater vision.

Great Prophet’s favourite prophecy hymns:- 278 - Nkosi sihlangene 91 - Masibulele ku Jesu

Current Leadership Current Bishop: Bishop V.W Zwelibanzi Mother Bishop N. S Zwelibanzi Current President: President B. Moerane Mother President E. Moerane Mother President L. Bogosi General Secretary: •	Ntombi ka Zwelibanzi General Treasurer: •	Rev V. M Zwelibanzi General Secretary of (Manyano-Women's League): •	Ausi P. Motloung Chairperson of (Manyano-Women's League): Mother Bishop N. S Zwelibanzi Senior Chairman of AMADODANA •	Rev V.M Zwelibanzi Chairman of AMADODANA •	Rev T. T Moerane Chairperson of the Youth •	Rev T.T Moerane Deputy Chairperson of the Youth •	Preacher K. Mohapi

[HEADQUARTERS of the CHURCH •	Itsoseng (North West Province) Branches in South Africa GAUTENG Bophelong (Vanderbiljpark) Sarafina (Potchefstroom) Church events and year calendar •	March or April - Good Friday •	March or April (Annual Church Conference) •	October (Annual General Thanks giving, Headquarter) •	August ( Annual Circuit/ Branch Thanksgiving) The venue for the Good Friday and General Thanksgiving is at the Headquarters’ and the venue for the Conference might change from time to time.

THE GENERAL FAITH ASSEMBLY IN ZION CHURCH OF THE INNUMERABLE COMPANY OF APOSTLES OF GOD OF S.A

“One LORD, one faith, one baptism’’