Harvest House International (HHI), one of the leading Pentecostal churches in Zimbabwe and Southern Africa, is building a 12,000-seater conference centre in Bulawayo.

The superstructure – the biggest ever in Southern Africa – has begun taking shape in the Woodlands suburb of the country’s second largest city.

“To date the foundation works have been undertaken on the entire building: site clearing, marking, setting out, base and trench excavation, base concreting, column starters, strip footing, brick work, back-filling, compaction steel and form work for the first floor,” reads their brochure.

The giant project which commenced in July 2007 on 10 acres of prime land is expected to be complete by December 2013, with its official opening likely to coincide with the church’s Holy Ghost Invasion Conference.

The 15-year-old church, with Apostles Colin and Sarah Nyathi at its helm, has its headquarters at corner George Silundika Street and 13th Avenue in the heart of Bulawayo where 10 services are held every Sunday.

The Apostolic House has also planted more than 20 churches in the high density suburbs of the city and many other churches in almost all major cities and towns across the country.

In Africa, HHI has spread its wings to South Africa, Botswana, Namibia, Zambia, Mozambique Swaziland, Tanzania and Nigeria.

Beyond the continent, the church has reached the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand and the United Arab Emirates.

Concurrently, the church is stepping up preparations for the week-long August Apostolic/Prophetic Conference slated for the first seven days of the month. Expected to grace the occasion is Pastor Matthew Ashimolowo of the Kingsway International Christian Centre in London, UK, among other dignitaries.