By Dr. Tinashe Gumbo
I would like to congratulate Rev Marshall Madiye of the Methodist Church in Zimbabwe (MCZ) for his elevation to the new District Bishop of Marondera. This came during the MCZ's 44th Annual Conference held at ZITF in Bulawayo from 12 to 14 November 2021.
This is a great moment for the Ecumenical movement in Zimbabwe as Rev Madiye has been instrumental in our Zimbabwe Council of Churches (ZCC)'s Local Ecumenical Fellowships(LEF) in Mashonaland East having been key in the same capacity in Mashonaland West.
I have known Rev Madiye for slightly over five years now. He has been an active member of the ZCC LEF in Karoi and Chivhu. He spearheaded ZCC work in these areas exceptionally well. His role in strengthening our ZCC structures in the areas he operated in has been amazing. He proved to be an Ecumenist of note.
Very unassuming but very effective, Rev Madiye has been a dependable leader when it comes to Ecumenical work. The man can organise, mobilise and coordinate for the Church. I was not surprised to hear that his Church has recognised his ability through choosing him for this new and more challenging task. I am confident that he will perform this administrative role so well.
However, as I celebrate his elevation, the other half of me is not settled. Iam not sure how the gap he has left will be filled. Anyway, Congratulations my new Bishop! I console myself based on the fact that ZCC has become a machine hence another dependable Cadre will emerge to occupy Rev Madiye's position in Chivhu.
Rev Madiye was born in Mhondoro and he did his secondary education at Matanha School. He is married to Shamiso and the couple was blessed with three daughters.
The new District Bishop of Marondera was called to the Ministry in 2002 and was later ordained in 2008. He holds the following qualifications: Diploma in Theology from the United Theological College; Diploma in Religious Studies from the University of Zimbabwe and a Bachelor's Degree in Divinity from Africa University.
Rev Madiye served at Hwange, Tinde; Mutare; Karoi stations and at the time of his elevation, he was serving in Chivhu . It was when Rev Madiye was in Karoi and Chivhu that I started to closely work with him. Together with him, we pushed the " _I__ _Pray_ _I_ _Vote_ " campaign in Mashonaland West under the guidance of yet another ZCC able Soldier, Captain Emmanuel Moyo of the The Salvation Army who is now stationed in Bulawayo. Rev Madiye represented ZCC well in various networks including the Zimbabwe Election Support Network Taskforce in Mashonaland West.
As the person responsible for ZCC structures, I worked very well with the now Bishop Madiye. It is this man and thousands others within the ZCC structures who unanimously decided to give me a new title, the ZCC " _Political_ _Commissar_ or _Organising_ _Secretary_ " . Depending on where you come from, both titles apply to me.
Beyond myself, I can also say on behalf of all the ZCC LEFs, Congratulations Rev (Bishop) Madiye! We are celebrating the achievement of one of our own!
*Dr Tinashe Gumbo is the Team Leader, Council Programs at Zimbabwe Council of Churches
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