Bishop Washington Rupapa is a Zimbabwean pastor and former Secretary-General of the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Forward in Faith (FIF). He served as the Secretary-General of ZAOGA FIF for over two decades, making significant contributions to the church’s administration and leadership.
Bishop Washington Rupapa was born on July 25, 1959, making him 64 years old in 2023.
Education
He pursued his studies at Calvary University, AMFCC Bible College, and the Christian College of Southern Africa (CCOSA).
Career
Bishop Washington Rupapa held the position of Secretary-General in the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Forward in Faith (FIF) for a notable period of more than two decades. During his tenure, he played a vital role in the day-to-day operations and strategic decision-making of the church.
Power Struggles Within ZAOGA
In recent years, the Zimbabwe Assemblies of God Africa (ZAOGA) Forward in Faith (FIF) has faced internal power struggles. Various factions within the church have emerged, each vying for control in preparation for the future after the late 98-year-old founder, Ezekiel Guti.
According to reports, one faction has effectively held Ezekiel Guti hostage, pressuring him to anoint a successor prior to his departure. Guti has allegedly been confined to his Chitungwiza home since January, under the guise of working from there.
Sources suggest that a faction aligned with Guti’s wife has taken control of the church, resulting in the sidelining of individuals previously close to Guti. There have been allegations of properties being transferred without Guti’s knowledge, which ultimately required the intervention of his daughter from his first marriage to rectify.
In this power struggle, Bishop Washington Rupapa, who was considered Guti’s right-hand man and served as the Secretary-General for a significant period, became a casualty. He was reportedly removed from his position in order to isolate the church’s founder.
The situation within ZAOGA FIF remains tense, and if not effectively addressed, it could potentially lead to a split within the church. Several individuals, including Gracious Chikore, Dorcas Jaricha, and La-Verne Simango/Simukai, have been implicated in the ongoing purges and are playing significant roles in the power struggle.