On September 20, 2026, thousands of ZAOGA Forward in Faith International worshippers gathered at Glamis Arena in Harare for the Legacy National Big Sunday. The event marked a significant milestone in the church's history as it honored the late Archbishop Professor Ezekiel Handinawangu Guti and formally welcomed Archbishop Dr. Joseph "Joe" Guti as the church's new leader. This transition marks a new chapter for ZAOGA, which was founded by Ezekiel Guti in 1960.
Ezekiel Guti, who passed away on July 5, 2023, at the age of 100, had been in ministry for 75 years. Under his leadership, ZAOGA grew from a small indigenous Pentecostal ministry in Zimbabwe to an international network of churches, pastors, Bible schools, and economic empowerment programs. The organization, now known as Forward in Faith Ministries International, has reached over 160 nations. Ezekiel Guti's legacy extends beyond his sermons and recorded messages, as it is embedded in the structures he built.
Joseph Guti, a member of Ezekiel Guti's extended family, is not new to the organization. He had held important responsibilities within ZAOGA before becoming its principal leader. He served as the founding acting vice-chancellor of Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, was declared "father of the church" by Ezekiel Guti, and worked with his wife, Nyasha Miriam Guti, in ministry and pastoral training. His rise to leadership was gradual, with key milestones including being consecrated Presiding Bishop in September 2024 and elevated to Archbishop in January 2026.
At the Glamis gathering, Joseph Guti urged ZAOGA members to pray for government leaders rather than simply criticize them. He emphasized that Christians are "the salt of the nation" and insisted that the church is not worshipping Ezekiel Guti but rather Jesus Christ. Joseph Guti stated that his responsibility is to continue Ezekiel Guti's legacy, saying there is "nothing new to invent or originate." This approach aims to balance continuity with the need for new leadership.
Joseph Guti faces significant challenges in preserving Ezekiel Guti's legacy while building a ZAOGA that can thrive beyond its founding generation. One of the key challenges is avoiding comparisons with his predecessor. If Joseph Guti tries to reproduce Ezekiel Guti's mannerisms, vocabulary, and authority, he risks being seen as inauthentic. On the other hand, if he introduces too many changes, he may unsettle members who are deeply tied to Ezekiel Guti's teachings and methods.
ZAOGA's institutional history highlights its growth from a small ministry under a gum tree in Bindura on May 12, 1960, to an international organization with various initiatives. The church has established institutions such as the Africa Multination for Christ College and Zimbabwe Ezekiel Guti University, which emphasizes entrepreneurship alongside academic programs. Ezekiel Guti's influence also extended into economic empowerment through programs like Talents, which encouraged church members to establish businesses and acquire assets.
As Joseph Guti begins his tenure as Archbishop, he must navigate the delicate balance between preserving the old ZAOGA and introducing changes to demonstrate living leadership. The new leader's ability to reassure members that the church remains recognizable while evolving will be crucial to ZAOGA's future. With his gradual rise to leadership and deep understanding of the organization, Joseph Guti is poised to take on this challenge and lead ZAOGA Forward in Faith into a new era.
Key points
- Joseph Guti takes over as Archbishop of ZAOGA Forward in Faith, succeeding Ezekiel Guti.
