WAPO MISSION (General)

Historical Background:

The Vision for establishment of the WORD AND PEACE ORGANISATION (WAPO MISSION) was conceived for the first time in the heart of Rev. Sylvester Gamanywa during his long fasting of 28 days in 1984.

This was his first and long fasting he ever had in his walk with the Lord; and it happened to him while he was living in a small town of Same –Kilimanjaro serving the local churches as a preacher. At those particular moments, most of Born Again Christian denominations, particularly the Pentecostals, were intensively experiencing religious conflicts between church leaders and members, which resulted in so many divisions and split among the churches.

Church leaders were accusing one another before the government, and civil cases from the churches were bombarding the Courts of Law in Tanzania. It was during this unpleasant situation; Rev. Sylvester Gamanywa decided to strongly intercede for the Body of Christ in Tanzania so that a lasting solution could be found.

During his intensive prayer, Rev. Gamanywa conceived an apostolic vision regarding the causes of those conflicts; why they were occurring; and how to find a lasting solution. It was revealed to him that there was a special need to establish a Born Again National Leadership Union in Tanzania; which would facilitate in bringing together all Born Again Church leaders so that a true reconciliation could be made according the Word of God.

In 1986, Rev. Gamanywa was transferred to minister in the City of Dar-es-Salaam. It was there where he met some pastors and bishops who encouraged him to officially register The Word And Peace Organization (WAPO MISSION) as an Umbrella organization in 1990. WAPO was designed to promote Unity in Diversity among church leaders in the Body of Christ in Tanzania. In addition, it was intended to promote the five-fold ministry, which is the apostolic, Prophetic, Evangelistic, Pastoral and teaching ministries for equipping the believers in the Body of Christ in Tanzania.

However, in order to ensure that this main Vision is maintained, WAPO did establish an Affiliation facility for ministerial and church affiliation for new and young ministries; as well as for others who for some reasons needed this kind of assistance in our country.

Currently, WAPO has successfully managed to implement and maintain her original vision by continuing in influencing the church and Society through different ways that include promoting and maintaining peace and tranquillity in the country, advocating and encouraging unity among church leaders, educating the public on major issues that are affecting our Society.

Vision Statement
To promote, advocate and minister to all Tanzanian men and women by imparting the Good News of peace and true freedom that will radically transform their whole spirits, souls and bodies; and be kept blameless at the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Mission Statement
To form, establish and supervise different strategic plans and programs that will enable us, as fast as possible, to make our Vision Statement a reality.

Statement of Faith

We believe that:

1. The Scriptures of the Old and New Testament are verbally inspired of God, Inerrant in the original writings, the supreme and final authority in faith and life. (II Tim. 316,17; IIPet. 1:12; Psa. 19:7,-Isa. 8:20).

2. There in one God and only one, eternally existing in three Persons: Father, Son, and the Holy Spirit. (Matt. 28:19, Jer. 10:10, Gen. 1:26, - John. 1:1, 14:6; Matt. 3:16, 17)

3. Jesus Christ was begotten of the Holy Spirit and was born of the Virgin Mary. He lived a sinless life, died a vicarious and substitution death upon the cross as a sacrifice for our sins, rose again the third day for our justification. He is now our Mediator and High Priest at God’s right hand, from whence He will come to earth as “King of kings and Lord of lords” to set up His Kingdom and to judge the world in righteousness.
(Isa. 7-14, Matt. 1:18-25, Rom. 5:1, I Cor. 15:34; Heb. 4:15,-7.-25,-Acts 1:9, 11; I Thes. 4:16-18, - Rev. 19:16, - 20:4-6, 11-15).

4. The Holy Spirit is the third Person of the Godhead. His ministry is that of Convicting unbelievers of their sin, and their need of the Lord Jesus Christ as their Savior. He baptizes believers into the Body of Christ, indwells, instructs, and seals them unto the day of redemption.
(John 16:7-11; 1 Cor. 12:12-14; Rom. 8:9, John 14:26, Eph. 1:13-14, John 14:16-17, I Cor. 2:9-14).

5. Man was created in the image of God. He sinned and thereby incurred physical and spiritual death, which is separation from God. Salvation for sinful man is by grace through faith in Christ “who His own self bore our sins in His own body on the cross”. All those who refuse to avail themselves of this divine provision for redemption will suffer the eternal retribution of the wicked in hell; while those who avail themselves of this are kept by the power of God, shall never perish, shall never be separated from the love of God, and shall enjoy the eternal bliss and felicity of heaven.
(Gen. 1:26-27, Rom. 3:10, 23;5:12; 1Pet. 2:24, Eph. 2:8-9, Rev. 20:12; 1Pet. 1:5, John 10:28 Rom. 8:39; John 17.-27; Rev. 1:24-27).

The Church is an elect company of believers, the Body of which Jesus Christ is the Head, and is without denominational boundary. God has purposed that Church, as the Bride of Christ, glorify Him in an aggressive effort to disciple all nations through the preaching of the Gospel. This Body will be caught up to meet the Lord prior to His appearing to set His Kingdom. (Eph. 1:3-6,22-23; 1 Cor. 12:12-14,-Matt. 28:16-20; Acts 1:6-8, 1 Thes. 4:16-18).

Main Objectives

1. To promote, educate and encourage good ethics and morals in Tanzania so that peace and tranquillity could be maintained in the Society.

2. To promote ministerial covering for registered and unregistered Christian ministries, churches and Missions in Tanzania.

3. To establish and run a strong Media communication of both Print Media and Electronic Media designed to promote Human Rights and Christian values in Tanzania.

4. To establish community-based programs such as educational, medical, and social projects, which are, intended to eradicate poverty, disease and ignorance in the society.

5. To conduct and sponsor National and International Christian seminars and conferences for leaders, men and women, youth and children, and professionals.

Organizational Set-Up
Three major units make up WAPO MISSION. These are Spiritual Unit, Media Unit, and Social Service Unit.