Over 830 church leaders from across Zimbabwe gathered in Bulawayo from 1 to 3 September for the BUILD Church Leaders Conference, a gathering facilitated by Pastor Miki Hardy aimed at equipping leaders through sound doctrine and the apostolic message of the cross.
The conference, now in its second year, focused on calling the church back to the New Testament model and unity in ministry.
In the opening session, Pastor Hardy urged pastors and believers to rebuild their lives and churches according to the apostolic model.
“He warned against conformity to the world and mixing culture with the church, urged pastors to build together rather than competing, called for discernment of true prophets from false, and taught contentment in Christ alone,” the conference statement read.
Addressing the second day’s session attended by 830 leaders, Pastor Hardy said the foundation of Christianity must remain central.
“He challenged pastors and believers to build their lives and the church according to the apostolic model, walking in unity rather than competition.”
He also spoke on spiritual warfare and Christian living, addressing “the struggle between the Spirit and the flesh, and finding contentment in Christ rather than in material possessions.”
Pastor Hardy reminded the congregation that opposition is part of the gospel.
“Pastor Miki reminded the congregation that the true gospel often sparks opposition, and that trials are not signs of defeat, but opportunities for God’s grace to work.”
He further emphasized personal transformation and family life, teaching that believers must put the flesh to death to grow into the likeness of Christ.
“He closed on the believer’s freedom under the New Covenant, teaching that Christ redeemed us not from the Law but from its curse, that this deals with the heart rather than placing people under obligation, and warning pastors not to use the Law against the people of God.”
“He also addressed the home, upholding marriage as a lifelong covenant rather than a cultural arrangement, and taught that a husband is called not only to preach but to care for and support his wife and family.”
“Pastor Miki highlighted the importance of putting the flesh to death to grow into the likeness of Christ, before concluding on marriage as a lifelong covenant governed by the Word of God rather than culture.”
Organizers said the three-day conference took considerable planning and the local team worked tirelessly to host the leaders.
“A conference of this scale took considerable effort, and the team on the ground worked tirelessly to make it possible. Many left blessed,” organizers noted.
