Times Of Swaziland: MONEYED SA MAN WANTS TO LURE MEMBERS - JERICHO CHURCH

MONEYED SA MAN WANTS TO LURE MEMBERS - JERICHO CHURCH
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Sibusiso Shange on 06/02/2023 08:38:00


GEGE – Melika Jericho Church in Zion elders have warned members of the church
against a South Africa-based member who wants to lure the congregants to join
him.
History has pointed out that the Jericho Church in Zion was founded by Melika
Gadlasenyama Vilakati, through the guidance of the Holy Spirit. However, the
church split into two factions after the death of the founder. This was after
some family members and senior priests were in disagreement over the rightful
successors. The differences resulted in Bishop Khanyakwezwe and his bother
Bishop Bhekibandla leading the two factions. This means that the emergence of a
new leader may give birth to a third faction. Speaking at a vigil ahead of their
cleansing ceremony at Gege, senior member of the Vilakati household, Jeremiah
Vilakati, said the elders were disturbed by an emerging congregant whom he said
had claimed to have been sent by God to lead the church.
Concern
Vilakati said the elders had learnt with concern that the moneyed congregant had
on numerous occasions tried to lure some of the South Africa-based congregants
into submitting to him as opposed to coming to Eswatini. “We have heard about
a South Africa based man, who claims to have been sent by God to lead the
Jericho Church. All we know is that God appeared once to Melika Gadlasenyama
Vilakati. The founder left a succession plan, which we implemented as a family
and priests. The founder left his legacy to the family and the church before he
passed away. During his lifetime, he made it clear that he was called to unite
different nations, meaning the Jericho church will operate without borders,”
Jeremiah said.
He said the church was rooted in the Holy Spirit, which served as a guide since
God appeared to the founder. He said the Holy Spirit still served as a guide
even during the leadership of Bishop Khanyakwezwe. Jeremiah said as the elders
of the church, they wondered how the congregant was different from the
congregants who came from Botswana, South Africa and Mozambique, among other
countries. “At times, these may be signs of sickness which need healing. Bring
him so that he may get help. The founder of the church shared how God dealt with
those who went against His Will,” he said.
Some congregants confirmed knowledge of the congregant who was claiming to have
been sent by God to lead the church. The congregants believed that Jeremiah
omitted his name for ethical reasons. “He is known to us. He is so moneyed
that he can win the hearts of desperate congregants. We thank our bishop for
coming out clearly that he will never be swayed by money.  I think we have
learnt a good thing from him,” they said briefly.
Cleansing
Jeremiah appreciated the presence of the congregants from other countries, who
came in numbers for the cleansing ceremony. The turnout increase of the Melika
Jericho Church in Zion members over the weekend showed the need for the
extension of the newly-built E10 million structure. The congregants in
attendance doubled the size of the church, resulting in some following
proceedings from outside screens.  The elders shared that the increase was
mainly caused by the return of the congregants who joined the other factions and
those who joined the church from other denominations. The elders also stated
that some congregants were just members of the other churches who were
interested in the cleansing, which they said was nondiscriminatory. The
cleansing lasted for over five hours as nobody wanted to leave without being
cleansed.