Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti (5 May 1923 – 5 July 2023) was a Zimbabwean Pentecostal archbishop, best known as the founder and president of Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA), also known as Forward In Faith Ministries International (FIFMI) worldwide.

Early years

Guti was born on 5 May 1923 in Ngaone, Chipinge,

Manicaland Province Manicaland is a province in eastern Zimbabwe. After Harare Province, it is the country's second-most populous province, with a population of 2.037 million, as of the 2022 census. After Harare and Bulawayo provinces, it is Zimbabwe's third-most de ...

, Rhodesia (now Zimbabwe).He preached for 75 years non stop.

Church ministry

ZAOGA FIFMI was established on May 12, 1960, under a gum tree in

Bindura Bindura is a town in the province of Mashonaland Central province, Zimbabwe. It is located in the Mazowe Valley about 88 km north-east of Harare. According to the 1982 Population Census, the town had a population of 18,243. This rose to 21,1 ...

, Zimbabwe. Over the years, it grew rapidly and expanded to more than 140 nations and states worldwide. The ministry acquired centers in various countries, including Africa, Europe, the Americas, Australia, New Zealand, and others, following its vision of being a debt-free organization. In different regions, the church operates under different names, such as Forward In Faith Church International Incorporated (FIFCII) in the United Kingdom and Assemblia De Deus Africana (ADA) in Mozambique and other Portuguese-speaking nations. As part of his ministry, Guti founded seven Bible colleges named Africa Multi-Nation For Christ College, spread across Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Zambia, and Ghana. Additionally, he established various ministries, including Forward in Faith Children’s Home, Children's Ministry, Africa Christian Business Fellowship, Gracious Women's Fellowship, and Husband's Agape International Fellowship. Throughout his life, he authored over 113 books on his teachings.

Education

Guti held several academic credentials, including BA, MA, DD, D.Min, and a Ph.D. in Religion. He earned a Bachelor of Christian Education and a Doctorate from Northgate Graduate School and Zoe College, U.S.A. He was also instrumental in initiating the establishment of Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University in Bindura, Zimbabwe, and th
Mbuya Dorcas Hospital
in Waterfalls, Harare.

Personal life and family

Guti was married to Archbishop and Prophetess Eunor Guti. He preached for 75 years. He had a blessed family and some of them are full time pastors in the ministry.They faced a loss when their son, Ezekiel Jnr, who suffered from speech impairment and physical disabilities, drowned in a swimming pool in December 2017.

Death

Archbishop Ezekiel Guti died on 5 July 2023 at the age of 100. After his body was repatriated from South Africa, the President of Zimbabwe, H.E. ED Mnangagwa, and Vice President CDG Chiwenga visited the family to pay their condolences. Ezekiel Guti was declared a national hero, with President ED Mnangagwa highlighting his significant impact and results.He was buried in Bindura mountain in, his first church.

Books

Guti authored numerous books, some of which include: Two Ways of Knowing God * Effective Preaching that Draws People to God * Foundations: Exploration of Bible Doctrinal Study (Protection Against Hearsay) * Guidance and Example of a Praying Church * The manager who lost his Job due to false accusation * Saved Baptized and filled with the Holy Ghost * Sunday Morning Bible Study * Talents He was also the subject of various books, including ''African Apostle'' by Gayle Erwin, ''The Remained Unspoken of the African Apostle'' by Robert Takavarasha, ''African Gifts of the Spirit'' by David Maxwell, and ''Ezekiel Guti, A Portrait of Leadership'' by Samuel Mayinoti.

References

Sources

Forward in Faith Ministries International , ZAOGA
- Forward in Faith Ministries International official website. Erwin, Gayle D. ''African Apostle''. Servant Quarters. Cathedral City, California, 1985 Mayinoti, S. ''Ezekiel Guti A Portrait of Leadership'', Africa Blossom. Windhoek, 2021 Maxwell, David. ''African Gifts of the Spirit''. Ohio University Press. Athens, Ohio, 2006 Maxwell, David. ''Wise man''. Ohio University Press. Athens, Ohio, 2006 {{DEFAULTSORT:Guti, Ezekiel 1923 births 2023 deaths Assemblies of God people Men centenarians People from Manicaland Province Rhodesian Protestant clergy Zimbabwean centenarians Zimbabwean Christian religious leaders Zimbabwean evangelicals Zimbabwean Protestant ministers and clergy