Windhoek
Malawian-born ‘prophet’ Shepherd Bushiri who attracted a massive crowd at the Sam Nujoma Stadium in Katutura came here for free and did not take a cent out of Namibia, a senior member of the Enlightened Christian Gathering (ECG) church told New Era.
Bushiri was invited as a guest to attend a fundraising event of ECG and at the same time minister to the masses just like any other preacher or motivational speaker that has been invited to the country.
The member who requested anonymity also said there are many Namibians travelling to South Africa to see Bushiri and the church thought it was better to bring him here.
About N$4 million was made at a gala dinner that hosted Bushiri, also known as Major 1, at the Ramatex complex and reports are circulating that he pocketed the money.
Bushiri was also criticized for not delivering the much-anticipated miracles especially to the sick and disabled people who were among the masses who thronged the stadium. Contrary to what Bushiri’s critics are saying the church member said she was aware of miracles that took place at the gala dinner and some at the stadium, which will be shown on the prophetic channel.
“There was a lady who was separated from her husband for about four years and she wanted to have the marriage restored. While prophet Bushiri was praying and making a declaration, she received a call from her husband who was waiting outside the Ramatex gate. That was a miracle because the marriage was restored and these people had not spoken for a long time. There was also a man at the stadium with a swollen leg and had this condition for a long time. He travelled from Rundu and instantly his leg shrunk and was healed. On Sunday (after the crusade) there were various testimonies in different churches about the miracles. It is not that the prophet had to touch somebody to get healed, God does not work like that,” remarked the member, adding that some people will be healed but with time.
Reacting to those who hurled negative comments towards Bushiri, the member said there is a kingdom of darkness and a kingdom of God and these two elements are constantly against each other, especially from the side of the kingdom of darkness.
“Whenever there is something being done by God in using a man of God there will be a reaction and this is that kind of reaction.”
The member described Bushiri as a man of the moment, a prophet of the season and a vessel of God for the current generation.
However, the member maintained Bushiri was just a guest at a church crusade and did not receive a honorarium. “Bushiri came to the country legally and went through the right channels while authorities were properly notified.”
“Any money collected was not for the benefit of the prophet. The organizers opened a bank account and the money remains in the country,” stated the adherent.
The member added that Bushiri came here at his own expense and carried all the costs including for his private jet. “He did this for free.”
She told New Era that she was not in a position to tell how much money was generated from the sale of tickets. The N$4 million is the calculation being made in the media from the N$1 000 paid by each of the people at the prophetic dinner with some forking out N$100 000 to sit at the main table with Bushiri.
The member further explained that the sign of a prophet when they come to town is when it rains. “When it rains, it’s anointing. The Bible says rain is showers of blessings because it is from God. It has been raining since Bushiri was here. I’m not saying it doesn’t rain but that evening it rained hard and nobody went home and it has been raining ever since.”