BY Ranganai Tinashe Dzotizei and Abigail Mvududu
Harare East District hosted a welcome reception for the newly appointed Administrative Assistant to the Bishop Rev Alan Masimba Gurupira at Cranborne circuit on May 15.
Representatives from the district’s circuits and from the length and breadth of the United Methodist Church thronged Cranborne to celebrate the newest chapter in the burgeoning life of the esteemed clergyman.
Rev Maxwell Chambara reminded guests in his devotion titled Gashirai vaenzi zvine makomborero (Genesis 18 vs 1-10,14)that there are much blessings in doing such events as we never know what stands between us and our blessings adding that the district and the Zimbabwe East Annual Conference are delighted to have him and the family on board.
The event saw the Cranborne Young Couples Choir doing what they know best with well thought compositions, cementing their ever growing status as a go –to on functions like these, having put up a similar act at the birthday celebrations for Bishop Eben Nhiwatiwa.
Rev Gurupira was thankful for all the district has done and vowed to continue doing the good work which God has assigned to him.
Ironically, the event was held at the circuit Rev Gurupira and his family are now part of and was attended by the District Superintendent for Harare East Rev Joseph Bonga.
TIME OUT WITH THE GURUPIRAS
On the sidelines of the event, Abigail Mvududu (AM) managed to have a chat with the Gurupira family, from the man of the day Rev Alan (AG), his lovely wife Tendai (TG) and son Theophilus (THG) just to get the sense of their feeling at this occasion and getting to know them. Below are the excerpts.
AM: Who is Rev Alan Masimba Gurupira and where has he been in his time as a pastor?
AG: Rev Gurupira has served the church for the past 33 years. I have been in Mutoko and Murewa for 21 years as a Pastor in Charge, School Chaplain and a Station Chairperson. I have served as District Superintendent for Murewa – Uzumba Maramba Pfungwe District for eight years and later on became the Connectional Ministries director for the Zimbabwe West Annual Conference, at the same time deputising the then Administrative Assistant to the Bishop Rev Zebediah Marowangepo and now currently hold the position he vacated.
AM: Doing administrative work, is that not being taken away from doing that which you have been called to do ie bringing souls to Christ?
AG: As you administer in the office of the Bishop, you assist the Bishop in the wider programs of bringing souls to Christ. This remains the core business within the Bishop’s office to administer the church and ensure that those who have been brought within the ranks of the church are managed as followers of Christ.
AM: Has you job as Administrative Assistant left you much room to preach at all e.g at revivals etc?
AG: Yes, at every revival, even at conventions, the Bishop’s office is invited as required to be there. By order the office has time to preach.
AM: What are your academic qualifications?
AG: I have a Masters in Religious Studies.
AM: Amai Gurupira, what kind of a person is Rev Gurupira and in your opinion, since becoming the Administrative Assistant has it changed him anyway?
TG: He is a principled man and he hasn’t changed since he was appointed Administrative Assistant.
AM: Theophilus, describe your father? What type of a man is he?
THG: He is action oriented, smart and always punctual. He is time conscious, wants things done straight to the point and does not waste time on things that do not matter.
He is not a strict dad but he wants things done properly. He always tells you if you have done something wrong. I just admire the fact that he is always action oriented and smartly dressed all the time ie always on point.