The Holy Hands of Deacons at Corby SDA”. – Eduzim News

By Dr MASIMBA MAVAZA

CORBY — The Sabbath was heavy with glory on 26 April 2026, as Corby Seventh-day Adventist Church laid hands upon six men whose knees already knew the floor of service.

Ordained Deacons: Muziwandile Ndhlovu, Carrington Msipa, Dan Lartey Aforo, Elroy Kentish, Keith Mawa, and Psalmody Mudonhi.

They did not ascend a throne. They descended to a towel. For in the Adventist way, the deacon’s office is not a promotion — it is a bending.

“A Call to Excellence,” the Charge of Pastor Shasha Mugari
With the Bible open and heaven leaning in, Pastor Shasha Mugari stood to give the charge. His words were few, but they were flint that struck fire.

“The deacon’s calling to serve God and His people,” he said, “is a call to excellence.”

Then he borrowed the voice of a prophet of justice to frame that excellence: Martin Luther King Jr. once declared, “If a man is called to be a street sweeper, he should sweep streets even as a Michelangelo painted, or Beethoven composed music or Shakespeare wrote poetry. He should sweep streets so well that all the hosts of heaven and earth will pause to say, ‘Here lived a great street sweeper who did his job so well.’”

In Corby, the broom is replaced by the communion cloth, the offering plate, the visitation list. Yet the standard is the same. Deacons are to serve so well that heaven pauses.

Not by Might: The Source of Diaconate Power
Pastor Mugari anchored that excellence not in human muscle, but in divine breath. He read the word that every deacon should stitch into his heart: “Not by might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts.” Zechariah 4:6

The deacon does not carry the church. The Spirit carries the deacon. The door he opens, the chair he sets, the widow he visits — all are done in borrowed strength.

The Biblical Blueprint: 1 Timothy 3:8-13 and Acts 6:1-7
The apostle Paul gave the church a mirror for deacons: “Deacons likewise must be dignified, not double-tongued, not addicted to much wine, not greedy for dishonest gain. They must hold the mystery of the faith with a clear conscience. And let them also be tested first; then let them serve as deacons if they prove themselves blameless. Their wives likewise must be dignified, not slanderers, but sober-minded, faithful in all things. Let deacons each be the husband of one wife, managing their children and their own households well.” 1 Timothy 3:8-12

This is the Adventist standard. Not perfection, but proven faithfulness. A deacon’s home is his first congregation.

And the origin story remains Acts 6. When murmuring arose because widows were neglected, the apostles said: “Wherefore, brethren, look ye out among you seven men of honest report, full of the Holy Ghost and wisdom, whom we may appoint over this business. But we will give ourselves continually to prayer, and to the ministry of the word.” Acts 6:3-4

Deacons were appointed to serve tables, Acts 6:2, so that the Word could run freely. Their ministry is humble, yes. But it is holy. For when the practical needs of the body are met, the gospel breathes easier. Deacons are to serve others with a humble and willing attitude.

The Great Commission Charge
Pastor Mugari then laid a third charge: “I charge you to carry out the Great Commission, which Jesus said was to spread the everlasting gospel to all people, all nations and tongues. The deacons should be ready to share their faith with others all the time.” Matthew 28:19-20; Revelation 14:6

The offering plate is not the end of their ministry. It is the beginning. Every visit, every handshake at the door, is an evangelistic appointment.

The Church’s Vow: Prayer, Support, Love
The charge did not end with the deacons. “I charge the church, the families and the friends that we will support them with prayer, encouragement, cooperation, wise advice and love.”

A deacon without the church behind him is a soldier without armor. Corby understood: ordination is a covenant between the man, God, and the body.

Hands Laid, Heaven Near
Then came the sacred moment. Pastor Shasha Mugari called upon serving elders to come and pray. Elder Joshua Hammersley, a visiting elder, prayed together with Elder Mavaza. Head Elder Thulani Moyo, Elder Peter Dube, and Elder Lex Ndlovu all joined the pastor in prayer. Hands rested on heads. Tears rested on cheeks. The Holy Spirit rested on the room.

Head Deacon, Elder Cliff Deda, embraced the new deacons, giving them ordination certificates and badges — outward signs of an inward anointing.

The Prayer of Appointment
The congregation bowed as Pastor Mugari prayed:

_“Our Lord and God, since the time of the Apostles you have inspired the church to appoint members of your church to assist in particular ways in its mission. We give you thanks for how you have blessed your church; for how you are continuing to build and shape your church; and for giving us the joy today of appointing new deacons to serve your church.

We ask that you would bless these new deacons; that they may know true humility and be faithful in their service for you. Remind them of the example of our Lord Jesus Christ who in fulfilling the ministry you gave to him: came to serve, rather than be served; sought the needs of others, rather than seeking his own; ministered to people without prejudice, and with courage and determination; loved people unconditionally.

We ask Lord God that you pour generously into their lives your Holy Spirit; fill them with your love, and compassion, so that they may see their brothers and sisters as you see them, and that they are equipped to carry out the duties that they have been appointed to fulfil.”_

The Adventist Way: Servants, Not Celebrities
In the Seventh-day Adventist Church, ordination of deacons follows the New Testament pattern. It is local, it is spiritual, and it is service-oriented. The Church Manual reminds us: “Deacons must be persons of deep spiritual experience.” They care for church property, assist in ordinances, visit members, care for the sick and poor, and relieve the pastor so he can study and preach. Acts 6:1-7; 1 Timothy 3:8-13

They are the hands of the church when the body hurts. They are the first to arrive and the last to leave. And in Corby, they are now six stronger.

To the New Deacons of Corby
Brothers Ndhlovu, Msipa, Aforo, Kentish, Mawa, and Sister Mudonhi: You were not chosen because you are strong. You were chosen because you are willing. Remember Zechariah 4:6 when the chairs are heavy. Remember 1 Timothy 3 when the road is long. Remember Acts 6 when you wonder if it matters.

It matters.

Sweep your streets like Michelangelo painted. Serve your tables like Jesus washed feet. And when heaven looks down, may it pause and say, “Here served a great deacon who did the work so well.”

Maranatha. The Lord is coming. Serve like He’s at the door.

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