New leaders for the Living Gospel church

Khosikhulu Toni Mphephu has urged The Living Gospel World Mission Church to continue with the good work they are doing and being a light to the world. Mphephu was the guest speaker when Pastor Rembuluwani Robert Kharivhe and his wife, Maureen, were inaugurated as the new leaders of the church in Tshilivho. Kharivhe was democratically elected by the church members.

A leadership vacuum was left within the church when the founders, Dr Masole Ragimana and his wife Matsidiso passed away in 2019 and 2021 respectively. A ceremony attended by, among others, Mphephu, Vhembe Executive Mayor Dowelani Nenguda, Mphaphuli’s senior traditional leader Thovhele Gole Mphaphuli, other chiefs, the Ragimana family members and the church’s local, national and international leadership, was held at Tshilivho on Sunday, 10 October.

The church’s acting president, Irene Malele, who conducted the ordination, said the church was following a tradition and constitution set by the founders. “We know for a fact that many will be asking whether you will fit in the founder’s shoes,” Malele addressed the new leaders. “Know that this was planned by God and our urge to you is to follow in the footsteps of your predecessors. We also urge the church to fully support the new leadership for this church to grow,” she said.

Representing the Ragimana family, Praise Ragimana jokingly said he had dreamt that his father’s church had been turned into a hardware store, but was quick to add that the family was well assured that the church was in good hands, as the new leader had personally been mentored by their father.

Mphephu, who arrived with his entourage, including Thovhele Kutama, Thovhele Nthabalala and chiefs, said the church’s relationship with the Vhavenda Royal House dated back to the time of his late father and the late founders of the church. “The late founder of this church was a spiritual father to my late father and (this) was passed on to me. We are attracted to this church by the good deeds done for our communities. We are also highly impressed by the smooth transition that has taken place here. It was orderly and peaceful, unlike in traditional leaderships where you are installed today and the following day you are served with court papers,” he said to thunderous applause by the congregation.

Mphephu urged the new leadership to continue were the founders of the church had left off. “Continue to do good and pray for us. As leaders, our rule cannot succeed without God. We will also be praying for you and give you our full support,” the Vhavenda leader concluded.

Kharivhe said he knew some challenges lay ahead but he had faith that, with God, everything would run smoothly. “I learnt a lot from our founding parents and will follow in their footsteps, that this church may grow and many are brought to the fold of God,” he said.

The church was founded in 1997 and has more than 500 branches worldwide.

Date:17 October 2021

By: Maanda Bele

Maanda  Bele, born and raised in Nzhelele Siloam, studied journalism at the Tshwane University of Technology.

He is passionate about current news and international affairs.

He worked as part of the Zoutnet team as an intern in 2017.

He is currently a freelance journalist specialising in news from the Vhembe district.

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