Harare – The vibrant world of Zimbabwean music has seen its fair share of transformations, but few have been as dramatic as the recent journey of Minister Maporisa, a well-known music promoter who has traded the pulsating energy of the stage for the quiet reverence of the pulpit.
Maporisa, known for his work managing the popular dancehall artist Seh Calaz and promoting upcoming musicians, has launched his own church, “House of Life Ministries,” in the bustling Mabvuku township. This unexpected move has sent ripples through the local community, raising eyebrows and prompting questions about the motivations behind this dramatic shift in career path.
“Life is precious and God is the source,” Minister Maporisa declared, his voice carrying a newfound conviction. “I invested a lot in promoting music where the fans attend shows intoxicated, abusing drugs and substances. The spirit of God convicted me, I felt guilty and opened the Bible for the word of life.”
Maporisa’s journey to the pulpit is a testament to the transformative power of faith. He recounts a life immersed in the fast-paced world of music, surrounded by the temptations of alcohol and drug abuse. While his peers succumbed to these vices, Maporisa remained untouched, a beacon of sobriety in a sea of indulgence.
“My friends have been perishing due to abusing drugs and substance,” he lamented, his voice tinged with sorrow. “I used to accompany my friends and relatives to beer halls but I never took any alcohol. My life was stagnant and I have decided to be like a flowing water that gives life.”
The turning point came when Maporisa realised the destructive nature of the lifestyle he was promoting. He felt a deep sense of responsibility for the well-being of his audience, many of whom were struggling with addiction and its devastating consequences. This realisation sparked a spiritual awakening, leading him to seek solace and guidance in the scriptures.
“Many people are dying due to lack of wisdom,” he stated, his voice imbued with a newfound purpose. “It’s all about the wisdom of God, power of life, the fear of God. Saka ndakadzidza kuti shamwari yangu ndi Jesus, ndirimutadzi ndavekutsvaga nyasha muimba yeupenyu, the House of Life.”
Maporisa’s decision to establish his own church was not a sudden whim, but a gradual evolution driven by a deep desire to help others find the same solace and salvation that he had discovered. He began by ministering to his friends and relatives, offering words of encouragement and guidance, sharing the message of hope and redemption that had transformed his own life.
“A number of them asked me if I was a prophet or pastor?” he recalled, a hint of amusement in his voice. “They ended up calling me the minister of the gospel.”
The response to Maporisa’s ministry has been overwhelmingly positive. His message of hope and redemption has resonated with the community, particularly in Mabvuku, where drug abuse and substance abuse are rampant. He has become a beacon of light, offering a lifeline to those struggling with addiction and despair.
“One of the men of God, Prophet Gerald Makiriyado, was the first to trust my conviction, paid attention to my messages and guided me,” Maporisa stated, acknowledging the support he received from other spiritual leaders.
The launch of “House of Life Ministries” marks a new chapter in Maporisa’s life, a testament to the power of faith and the transformative nature of redemption.
