Fleecing the flock in the name of the Bible

Fleecing the flock in the name of the Bible

By Staff Reporter on 5th December 2016No Comments

By Lenin Ndebele

ONE PREACHER dressed in a shiny designer suit during his sermon in Harare declares, “Anointing without financing is annoying!”

His flock seems to agree in the process endorsing his point that he could not possess the “gift” and live the life of an ordinary Joe, whereby come month end, he waits for a salary, draws down a budget and decides which of his debts to pay.

Behind the scenes, gifts are pledged and given to the man of God. From cars, furnisher and huge sums of money from the well-to-do in church, you name it.

In return, to get loyalty from the ordinary congregants who buy a bracelet with the preacher’s name and other marks – on a big Sunday, one seemingly lucky worshipper is given a car out of the blue.

When the Range Rover pushing pastor hands over a second-hand ex-Japanese car there is proof that he gives in kind.

“What if it’s me the next time? Papa is a good man of God let me keep the faith,” a congregant and many others seated a few rows away from the lucky winner think to themselves.

That there is the psychology of selling one’s brand.

“Understanding the social science behind 93 percent of your message is an essential first step to building relationships and knowing how to gain trust,” argues Bernie Reeder, a marketing strategist.

The new wave of Pentecostal preachers mastered this “make believe” strategy.

In the past five years, they have become very popular. Getting the attention of senior politicians, senior civil servants and leading men and women in business is proof enough.

At one point, the minister of Tourism and Hospitality Industry Walter Mzembi warmed up to the idea of religious tourism whereby the country could benefit from foreign inflows from people flying in and out of the country to see the preachers “heal” and perform lifesaving “miracles” live and reckless claims of healing HIV.

But because of regional economies in recession there is less money reaching the preachers in the form of gifts. That has a ripple effect on a lot of things- especially the preachers’ lifestyles.

Then there is the aspect of less gullibility, more prosperity preachers are being exposed to fraudulent conduct and diabolic crimes.

For one, there is the founder of Holy Fire Ministry in Zimbabwe Pastor Paul William who was nabbed in the capital for using fake documentation. It was also revealed that he is a fugitive in Ghana, Senegal, Kenya and China for numerous crimes.

With a lot going bad for prosperity preachers, those that have managed to stay away from controversy or kept it at a minimal – the game plan has changed.

If congregants do not have a penny to give, how about provide services and products they cannot do without?

Enter the preacher this time around in a businessman’s suit.

Malawian born Prophet Shepherd Bushiri of Shepherd Bushiri Ministries through his company PSB Connect launched a Mobile Virtual Network Operator (MVNO) enabled by South African telecoms firm MVN-X.

At the launch in Johannesburg last month, Bushiri said his network will be mainly supported by his church with an estimated 2 million followers worldwide but in South Africa he was targeting about 50 000 subscribers drawn mainly from his flock.

“The prophet is forever looking at things and opportunities whereby he benefits his community, and one of the things that obviously came up was mobile connectivity,” said the mobile venture’s commercial director Dave Wheatley at the launch.

The mobile venture came hot on the heels of a mining venture in Zambia where Shepherd Bushiri Mining Ltd partnered Malabwe Mines in Ndola.

Reports in Zambia say the mine’s unconfirmed estimated worth is US$1.2 billion.

Another entrant into the business sector is Prophetess Beverly Angel, wife of Major Prophet Uebert Angel, now based in England.

Beverly is listed as the chairperson and Chief Executive Officer of Brits Capital LLC, trading as Brits Bank.

“She is widely recognised for her role in shaping various global forums as well as her cardinal efforts in humanitarianism,” reads her profile.

Back in Zimbabwe, Prophets Emmanuel Makandiwa and Walter Magaya have gone big on property development.

Magaya is known for his mission to build 46,000 houses that will reportedly be sold at affordable prices.

Affordability in economics means to make money the prophet has to sell as many units as possible in record time so that he gets quick returns and re-invests his money.

Early this year, it was reported that Prophet Makandiwa had a controlling stake in Radar Holdings Limited, a company that manufactures bricks and also rents residential and commercial properties.

Things might change from time to time but the constant for the prosperity “gosprenuers” is that money has to be made all the time.

Bible, church, Pentecostal preachers, preacher