By Wadzanayi Chinhengo
Stop me if you’ve heard this one before: a young teen, searching for inspiration, crosses paths with someone whose words leave a mark that stays with them for life. It might sound like a simple story, but for me, meeting my spiritual father, Apostle Pride Sibiya, was nothing short of a miracle.
 |
| Bishop Pride Sibiya |
I was 13 when I first heard his name, spoken with awe by people around me. “His preaching is different,” they’d say, “beautiful and captivating—turning hearts to God.” Like the curious little girl I was, I wanted to know why. The first time I sat in one of his services, I was hooked. Apostle Pride Sibiya didn’t just preach; he wove tales, painted pictures, and left you clutching a nugget of wisdom that would keep you up at night. In one sermon, he took the science of potential and kinetic energy—terms that I was just starting to learn in school—and made it a parable of spiritual movement. I still remember it like yesterday: “You are filled with the potential energy of God’s gifts, but to truly serve, you must activate it into kinetic energy through action and faith.” And I vividly remember telling the people around me, “Haa inini Pastor vangu vakadzidza” lol.
Now, 20 years later, as Apostle Sibiya celebrates 30 years in ministry, and as Glory Ministries honors him on Founder’s Day, I wanted to reflect on 30 things I’ve learnt from him. Each one is a gift that has shaped my life, and I hope these lessons might spark something in you, too:
1. Before you are used by God, remember you are His child first.
2. Do not limit God—He is infinite.
3. Love God with all your heart.
4. Pursue excellence. One day, you will reach it.
5. Consistency brings harvest. Stay steady, and you’ll see it.
6. People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care.
7. God is always in control.
8. Faith in God changes everything.
9. God wants us to prosper.
10. Be humble.
11. Honour those who fear the Lord.
12. Even if you come from a poor family, do not let a poor family come out of you.
13. Kunyangwe vakada kukuzora madhaka, haangabatire pauri kana iwe usina kusviba.
14. Live well—you may be the only Jesus someone ever meets.
15. Haikona kutuka madzibaba ako.
16. Ukawana nguva, kwana!
17. You are here on purpose, not by mistake.
18. Hausi mbudzi iwe. Kunaya kwemvura hakungakutadzise kuuya kuchurch. Rain or no rain God is still God.
19. Be in church.
20. Tichanamata kuti zviite, tichanamata zvichiitika, tichanamata zvaitika, tichanamata zvaramba kuitika. Tichamunamata kudzamara taenda.
21. Don’t take God’s servants for granted.
22. Honour those who serve God.
23. Never forget how far God has brought you.
24.Believe that God can work wonders in your life.
25. We are stewards of God's church. To be called to lead is a great honour, yet we carry great responsibility and even greater accountability.
26. Lay a good foundation—it’s everything.
27. No word from an enemy can destroy you unless you let it.
28. Motivate yourself—believe you can do it.
29. Be happy.
For a moment, I wanted to keep lesson 30 just for myself, because it was part of a personal message he wrote to me on my birthday. But it’s etched in my heart, a reminder I carry every morning as I face the world. And now, I realize it might inspire you just as much:
30. Don’t let the bad around you change the good within you.
As Founder’s Day approaches, I can’t help but feel gratitude for all he’s poured into my life. His words are as real to me now as they were at 13, and they keep guiding me, calling me to do more, to be more. So, here’s to 30 years of wisdom, and here’s to anyone out there reading this, feeling even the tiniest nudge to let these words guide you.
Who knows? Maybe you’ll find that one lesson you needed today. Maybe it’s time to turn that potential energy into kinetic, to keep showing up, rain or shine, to let your life become a testament of love, faith, and resilience.
Thank you, Apostle, for lighting the way. Happy Founder’s Day!
