By Staff Reporter

President Emmerson Mnangagwa yesterday sent a condolence message to the Sande family following the death of Apostle Abel Kademaunga Sande who succumbed to diabetes last Saturday at his residence in Waterfalls in Harare.

The President described Apostle Sande as a towering giant in the spheres of faith and ministry and a leading figure in the family of the indigenous churches.

“I learnt with a sense of shock and sadness of the passing on of Apostle Abel Kademaunga Sande, a towering giant in the sphere of faith and ministry. A founder of many churches and of the Ambassadors for Christ Ministries International, Apostle Sande was a leading figure in the family of the indigenous churches in Zimbabwe,” said the President.

President Mnangagwa said the country is now poorer without Apostle Sande’s wise counsel and fervent intercessions.

“We are all poorer without him, his wise counsel and fervent intercessions. Many will remember his passionate prayers, his deep love for our country, Zimbabwe and above all, for his style of ministry which was characterized by concrete works and spiritual privations.

 “He prayed for us leaders, asking God to guide us, and to inspire our Government as it seeks to propel Zimbabwe forward in the New Dispensation, Indeed his prayers rang beyond our borders, touching and healing many lives and souls in our region and beyond,” said the President.

The President said that the Sande family should find solace in knowing that the Government and the people of Zimbabwe are mourning together with them.

“On behalf of Government, my family and on my own behalf, I offer heartfelt condolences to Mrs Elizabeth Sande, widow of the great inspirer whom God has now taken to Himself; to the Sande family; to members of the church he founded and led; to the Zimbabwe Indigenous Interdenominational, Council of Churches and Faith for the Nation Campaign, and to all Zimbabweans who knew and worked with Apostle, said President Mnangagwa.

The late Apostle Sande, who was the founder of Ambassadors of Christ Ministries International, was born on 1 May 1931 in Hurungwe.

Since 1950, Apostle Sande was actively involved in ministry work and was a spiritual mentor to many people.

 He is survived by wife Dr Elizabeth Sande, three children and several grandchildren. He will be buried today at Warren Hills Cemetery in Harare.