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TWO sayings will help demonstrate this week’s subject — you can’t undersale the importance of friendship. And, life is a garment we continually seem to alter, but it never seems to fit.
When I got wind of Dr William “Bill” S Winston’s special visit to Zimbabwe, I was curious, for Dr Winston is a man of God who wears many hats. Naturally, I wanted to know why he was coming to Zimbabwe. It was also interesting to learn that the church that is hosting Dr Winston, New Life Covenant normally has a midweek service in honour of the father of Pan-Africanism, Dr Kwame Nkrumah. So, in 2011, they invited Dr Winston.
Dr Winston will be in Zimbabwe February 16 and 17, and he will share his knowledge and expertise through special presentations to the church and the business community.
Who is Dr Winston?
Dr Winston is not only a pastor, but he is CEO and businessman; a visionary leader whose “unique, bold style of delivery and leadership” has inspired and empowered people for success, “by applying biblical principles that place a demand on man’s potential hidden within”.
He was born in Tuskegee, Alabama and was inspired and influenced for leadership “by the abundance of educators, scientists, physicians and the historic aviation accomplishments of the Tuskegee Airmen that served as his role models. He attended the internationally known Tuskegee Institute in Tuskegee, Alabama (now Tuskegee University)”.
Before entering full-time ministry in 1985, Dr Winston worked for the US army and IT giant, IBM Corporation where he was their Midwest Region marketing manager responsible for more than US$35 million in sales revenue per year.
He holds a Doctorate of Humane Letters from Friends International Christian University, and is founder and Pastor of Living Word Christian Center, Forest Park, Illinois, a mega church by Zimbabwean standards whose membership stands at 19,000.  He is also the chairman of the Board of Covenant Bancshares Inc, a bank-holding company for Covenant Bank, and is married to Veronica.
Dr Winston also heads The Joseph Business School that runs under the biblical principle from Isaiah 48: 17.
In an exclusive interview with the writer, Bishop Bismarck revealed: “In its own way this visit follows on the biblical principle of, ‘ . . .  precept must be upon precept, precept upon precept; line upon line, line upon line; here a little, and there a little:’ (Isaiah 28:10), by which God builds the Kingdom, as a continuation of last year’s visits by Joyce Meyer and then Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo. We may not see overnight changes, but the fruits of the deposits these ministries are making in our nation are generational and will be evidenced in our life time.”
He added, “We have known and walked in relationship with Dr Winston and Pastor Veronica for about five years, ministering for and with them throughout the USA and South Africa. We hold in high regard the grace that is upon their lives and ministry, and great humility with which they carry it. The sheer scope of what they have built as evidence of their incredible vision and faith is absolutely astounding.”
Bishop Bismarck also said that Dr Winston “is one of the rare Christian leaders that we know that has built what he teaches and can actually impart the same grace to those who are willing to receive it. His walk is one of absolute faith and prosperity with unblemished integrity.”
“Pastor ChiChi and I with our church count it an honour to receive this ministry into Zimbabwe and share it with our nation. We are pleased to present Dr. Bill Winston to the nation of Zimbabwe. We urge every Christian to receive, not just the words of instruction, but the impartation of the spirit and grace that God has endowed Dr. Winston with”.
Iron sharpens iron
The Bible in Proverbs 11: 14 says, “For lack of guidance a nation falls, but many advisers make victory sure.”
Many have wondered whether the church is copying world systems by holding conferences. When Pastor Ashimolowo came to Zimbabwe at the end of last year Apostle Charles Chiriseri explained the importance of such gatherings. We learn from each other, and we build synergies through such meetings, that strengthen the body of Christ. However, when it has now been proven beyond reasonable doubt how blessed Zimbabwe is in terms of natural resources and its highly educated and skilled populace, it is only natural that the turnaround of the economy and lifestyles follow Godly principles. Value addition, beneficiation, networks and synergies are not the preserve of Government and the business community. Their success lies in the application of Biblical principles.
Whatever is shared should see Zimbabweans creating wealth and prosperity through Godly ways.
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Forthcoming events
Event: New Life Covenant Midweek Service with Dr Bill Winston of Living Word Christian Center, Forest Park, Illinois, USA
Venue: HICC and Crowne Plaza Monomotapa
Dates: February 16 -17
Time: 6pm; 7:30-10am
Hosts: Bishop Tudor and Pastor Chichi Bismarck, New Life Covenant Church
Contact: +263 4 700 020; 263 77 274 0707
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Event: Zimbabwe Faith Ethics and Philosophy Association Forum
Date: February 25
Theme: Increase of Poor Quality Graduate and Post-Graduate Degrees in Zimbabwe especially in Theology and Church Ministry — What to do.
Venue: Zimbabwe Medial Association, Cnr 8th St/Baines Avenue Time: 10:30-12:30hrs
Presenter: Professor Ezra Chitando (UZ)
Respondent: Dr. Noah Pashapa (Life and Liberty Churches)
Contacts: 0772924594; 077221864; 0772127268
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Event: National Women’s Conference
Theme: Arise and Shine: Beauty Restored, Destiny Fulfilled
Host: Pastor Bonnie Deuschle
Dates: March 10-12
Venue: Celebration Centre, 162 Swan Drive, Borrowdale
Speakers: Local and InternationalContact: 0777368903; 0777368904
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Event: Alfa Ladies International — Prayer and Fasting
Dates: March 4 -6
Theme: Wrestling in Prayer (Ephesians 6:10-12)
Speakers: Overseer C. Chiyangwa; Pastor L. Gatsi and Mai Zinyemba
Venue: AMFICC, Waterfalls
Contact: 0712972211; 0772370564; 0712202490
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To God be the glory and honour, forever and ever!
Note to readers: Send your church’s special events, conferences, anniversaries, crusades, book launches, etc, to: [email protected] or [email protected], and in the subject line put, Divine Appointments.