reprinted with corrections and additions from the Newsday
by Problem Masau 
 
Apostolic Faith Mission in Zimbabwe (AFM) described pastors that leave this historical Pentecostal church to start their own ministries as “ungrateful.”
 
The list of most notable pastors that left AFM to establish their own independent congregations includes United Family International Church‘s Emmanuel Makandiwa, Oliver Chipunza of Inter-denominational School of Deliverance, Heartfelt International Ministries’ Tavonga Vutabwashe and Life House International Church’s Talent Chiweshe (son to the late AFM veteran evangelist Phanuel Chiweshe who groomed Makandiwa and Chipunza).

Speaking during the AFM national youth conference in Masvingo, AFM Secretary-General Amos Madawo castigated clerics who were using the church as a springboard to start their own communities. “AFM is not a platform for any Jack and Jill to use as a springboard to start his or her own church. There are people who are riding on the popularity and fame of the church to lure people,” Madawo said.

He expressed scepticism over the leadership of “new generation” churches which Madawo believes have moved from the original salvation message to preaching “the prosperity gospel.” “Why is it that every pastor who leaves the church to start his own becomes a prophet? All they preach about is miracles and money. We, as AFM, will stick to Jesus’ teaching rather than adopt gospels that are so detached from the sound doctrine of Jesus Christ,” he said.
Madawo described sound doctrine as one that majors on preaching the repentance of sinners and living righteous lives. 
 
The conference was running under the theme “The thrashing floor” and was attended by an estimated 100,000 people from across the country. Information and Communication Technology Minister, Nelson Chamisa, also attended the conference.