Honouring Our Trailblazers
Respect for elders is one of the hallmarks of all African cultures. On the 11th of July 2025, a generous lay person on the Zimbabwe East District, along with the District Superintendent (DS), Rev Hofisi Mutatu, invited all senior elders aged 60 and above, as well as all retired elders, to the Sheraton Hotel in Harare, Zimbabwe, for a time of fellowship. This gathering was a moment of reflection on from where the district has come and to where it is going. It was mainly aimed at honouring all the former District Superintendents, retired elders and those nearing retirement and to hear what is in their hearts regarding the church, the welfare of retired pastors and those approaching retirement.
All the former District Superintendents, Rev P Mukome, Rev F Kanenungo, Rev C Mungure and Rev W Katandika, were invited and present at the fellowship. Rev Mutatu shared a profound reflection: “I have been thinking about our retired Reverends. God willing, many of us will walk that path too. The question we must ask is simple but profound: Are we treating them in a way that we ourselves would hope to be treated? At gatherings or days of gratitude, during sickness, and even in death. Are we setting the right example for the next generation? Do we have a plan, a legacy of honour, that we are ready to pass down?”
The DS quoted 1 John 4:20 and added: “Let us be a district marked not by positions or factions, but by a revolution of love. Let the spirit of Christ be evident in how we treat one another, especially those who can no longer serve on the frontlines.”
One elder remarked: “In the past 40 years that I have been in the Church of the Nazarene, this is the first time I have seen a Nazarene layperson doing such a great thing. This shows that our church is going somewhere.”
A special highlight of the day was that the conference room and lunch were fully sponsored by Mr Luckson Mugari, a layman from Mbare Church of the Nazarene, who said, “I want to honour my elders.” Mr. Mugari shared that his objective was to have the elders of the church to plan alongside the DS on the developments in the Zimbabwe East District. Mr Mugari has also joined ministerial training with the Zimbabwe East District School of Extension, training to become one of, if not the first, deacon in Zimbabwe.
