(The following article appeared in the February 6, 1988 edition of The White Wing Messenger. It was written by E. E. Van Deventer, Mission Representative, and is about the father of our current National Overseer, Bishop Joshua Nyamhuka. Enjoy! RJH)
“Brother Nyamhuka searched the Scriptures daily to find the truths of the Bible to lead his followers. Many were healed and demons were cast out. Many were born again, sanctified and filled with the Holy Ghost. When the number had grown substantially, he named his group, “The Church In the Home.” God blessed the group. Prayer meetings were held in his home. He enlarged the place of worship by tearing down a wall which separated the bedroom and the lounge area. The number of converts continued to grow, forcing the group to meet outside under the trees. Later they rented a classroom of a school. He began to be concerned about his group and wondered what would happen to them should death come his way. He had noted that other groups formed by a leader fell apart when the leader was taken away for some reason. He did not want this to happen to his group of people. He prayed to God to give him a church which would look after these people so that the work would still continue if he should die or have to leave it. Several missionary groups from abroad wanted to work with him and his group. He could not agree with their teachings, so he refused them. There was much fasting and prayer for his concern in getting the group attached to something favorable.
“Due to financial need, he worked as a bus driver while continuing his work for the Lord and looking after the work God had given him. He expressed his gratefulness to God for his faithful wife who was able to help in the work. She organized the women as Witness Teams to go into the homes and hospitals. Every Thursday they met to sew things that would later be sold to promote the work of the church. He realized that they needed a building to worship in and this was one of the ways he and his wife set about to get a building.
“In 1974, God answered his prayers. He met a man who gave him the 29 Important Bible Truths of the Church of God of Prophecy. He often wonders if that man was an angel sent from God, since he did not know who he was and has never seen him since. After reading the tract, he couldn’t continue his work that day. He was overjoyed, and while praying a voice spoke to him and assured him that his prayers had been answered after 12 years of seeking God and searching for an answer.
“He and his wife studied the tract. They marveled how that God had led them in teaching the things which the tract was giving to them. That same year he wrote to the Church of God of Prophecy World Mission Secretary. He replied by telling him he had forwarded his letter to the Mission Representative to Africa, Roy D. Mixon. Brother Mixon wrote and set up an appointment with him in 1975. However, he was not able to keep that appointment, but he did make it in Upon meeting with Brother Mixon, they communicated for about one hour. He explained the Church to him. Later on, that night, he and his wife met again with Brother Mixon and communicated more about the Church. They invited Brother Mixon to visit the congregation the next day.
“On the 29th of February, 1976, at 5:00 p.m., Brother Mixon administered the covenant to 160 people. The Church of God began in Zimbabwe. From that time, they grew in knowledge an in spirit. Brother Nyamhuka received his minister’s certificate in March of that same year. He also attended the General Assembly in September of 1976 and was appointed Overseer of Zimbabwe. He was set forth as a Bishop and received his Bishop’s license in November of 1976. At the following General Assembly of 1977, he was appointed overseer of Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Malawi. At the General Assembly of 1987, Zambia was added to his responsibilities as an Overseer.
“Brother Nyamhuka has worked tirelessly and faithfully for the past decade to establish the Church firmly in these countries. He has gone into the communist stronghold and suffered beatings and persecution for the sake of the gospel. The results are indicative of his faithful efforts. As of the General Assembly of 1987 the statistics are as follows: Zimbabwe has 24 churches and 6,759 members; Malawi has 28 churches in 3,789 members; Mozambique has 15 churches and 889 members. In a little over a decade the work has grown from 160 to 11,437. To God be the glory and the praise for His marvelous works.
“The Lord has provided a piece of land for National Headquarters in Harare. A ground breaking ceremony has been held for the beginning of the new building complex and construction has begun. [Note: These beautiful buildings and piece of land that God gave The Church of God of Zimbabwe many years ago are still being used by His people in 2020 for His glory. Amen!]
Above everything else, your prayers are needed for God to send qualified laborers into this great harvest field. Brother Nyamhuka still feels that he must continue to commit himself wholly to the service of the Lord and His Church in this vast area of Africa. He has stated that as long as the Lord keeps him well through all the hardships, he will continue to give God his best. Let us pray for this great warrior of God.”
And the prayers of the saints have been answered! Bishop Kenneth Nyamhuka raised a son and taught him the truth of God’s Word without compromise and prayed that his son would one brilliant day receive a vision of The Church of God. That vision now lives in the heart of Bishop Joshua Nyamhuka, National Overseer of Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Zambia and is spreading all over Africa and all over the world! O saints, let us pray and never cease! The Scripture will be fulfilled! “For the earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the LORD, as the waters cover the sea” (Hab. 2:14). O God, let it be, let it be, let it be!
Thank you for your wonderful giving to missions that helps makes these things so!