BY ARNOLD FANDISO
Tabernacles of Grace church founder Apostle Batsirai Java has donated cash given as gifts at his birthday party towards the construction of his church’s building in Westlea, Harare.
The building, whose construction started in February last year and was supposed to be complete by the end of last year, is still at roof level after progress was stalled by repeated Covid-19 lockdowns.
The lockdowns reportedly reduced the church revenue by over 90%, forcing Java, to use his own money generated from his Bible School, which has a huge number of international students.
It is only during his birthday that church members give him presents in cash or kind.
So on Friday, on his 38th birthday dinner party held at a local hotel, Java raised US$45 000 which he immediately donated towards the construction of his church building, the Grace Centre.
The church needs to raise about US$300 000 towards the completion of the building, whose total cost was estimated at US$700 000, excluding the cost of buying the land.
At least US$10 000 was raised through donations from about 70 church members who attended the dinner while Java’s younger brother, socialite Passion Java committed US$20 000.
Java, the church founder and presiding bishop offered a butchery in Chitungwiza worth US$15 000 to be sold for the project — bringing the total to US$45 000.
“So, of the US$300 000 needed to complete the building, we now have US$45 000, leaving a balance of US$255 000,” Java said.
About US$125 000 is needed for roofing alone while US$170 000 is for finishings.
Java said he was saddened by the passing on of Crispen Chimbarami, who was the project coordinator when construction began.
Chimbarami succumbed to Covid-19 and the building project is now dubbed the CC legacy after Chimbarami’s name.
“He was very committed. When he died, we were all deflated and our morale died,” Java said.
“I have made the donation towards the completion of the church as a way of rekindling the zeal that was lost after the death of Chimbarami.”
Rhinos Mautsa is now the new project coordinator.
Java said he would commit every cent he gets towards the completion of the building.
Mautsa said the building would accommodate 1 500 seated congregants.
It has offices and a children’s play ground and would also cater for community events such as weddings, when complete.