Festivals in Guta RaMwari
There are four major commemorations observed by all children of God in Guta Ra Mwari
The Departure Festival (December)
The first Host of God, who served from 1954 to 1960, departed (died) on the 25th of December in 1960. The body was laid to rest in Kazangarare Village in Zvimba district in Zimbabwe. Prior to departing, the Host of God had promised the Congregation, out of pity for the multitudes that had come for healing, that the Spirit would return after forty days from the date of departure. This was the Promise that God made to His children.
The Promise Festival (February)
On the 31st of January 1961, 37 days from the departure of the first Host of God, the Spirit was reincarnated in one of the Elders, who, at the time, was less prominent. On the 40th day, 3rd February 1961, God revealed Himself to His children. This marked the fulfilment of the Promise that God had made. The Congregation that followed God from this date onwards is referred to as ‘The Children of the Promise’. A three-day festival is held on the first weekend of February annually in remembrance of God’s Return in 1961.
The Harvest Festival (August)
The Harvest Festival is an age-old practice in African traditional religions. At the end of each harvest, the community would select some of their grain to a sacred place as thanksgiving for the good harvest. This was also a time to plead with the Voice of God to cleanse their communities and nations of diseases, plagues, droughts, or other ills. One such place in Zimbabwe is Njelele Shrine, located in the Matobo District, some 40km outside Bulawayo. The Voice of God has since moved from the Matobo mountains, and God now speaks in Guta RaMwari. Every July through to August, God’s children praise God for preserving their lives from the previous year, and the many blessings that God continues to grant them. Most importantly, this is a time for introspection. Members reflect on their lives, and the age-old custom of chastity testing is practiced for children willing to participate. The Harvest Festival is also a time for praying and pleading for God’s blessings, in personal lives and for the nation and world at large.
Commemoration of the Birth of the Second Host of God (4th June)
The Second Host of God was born on the 4th of June 1920 in the town of Livingstone, in Zambia (then Northern Rhodesia). Celebrations, led by the Youth of Guta RaMwari, are held on or the first weekend following the 4th of June annually to commemorate this day. Celebrations to mark this day were first held in 1990 at the International Headquarters in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe. In 2020, the Centenary Celebrations are being held virtually by all Children of God in Guta RaMwari universally.
Commemoration of the Departure of the Second Holy Host of God (6th December)
A Remembrance service is held on the 6th of December annually to commemorate the departure of the Second Host of God, which happened on the 6th of December 2003. God now works entirely in Spirit.
Services and Functions
