JCC Women of God (WOG)
The Women’s fellowship is formally titled “Women of God” or WOG in short. Sister Emily Chakavarika, a human resource professional with an international organization and a preacher of the gospel, leads it. WOG coordinates activities and encourages all women to actively participate in the core functions of the church, centered on spreading the gospel of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. WOG is responsible for the hospitality and care of guests, members, and the facility used by the church for all meetings.
WOG organizes an annual ladies ‘ conference with guest speakers. The church membership attends this conference as well as invited participants from the communities and other churches around the greater New York and New Jersey areas. WOG organizes prayer meetings during the week, during which the sisters take turns leading, praying, and counseling one another with the word of God and prayer. The standing prayer meeting typically takes place on Wednesday evenings.
WOG plays a vital role in organizing and running the church’s leading conference, which is held annually during the Passover weekend. The girls and young ladies of the church come under the guidance and counsel of the WOG under a mentorship and guidance program led by the First Lady. WOG hosts outdoor and other outreach events to provide a fellowship platform for church ladies and other non-members, serving as a means to evangelize and share the gospel with the community. Other activities of WOG include food drives to provide food for those in need in the surrounding communities. This typically occurs around Christmas time. WOG also conducts fellowship events for ladies, including movie nights and book reading events.
JCC Men of God (MOG)
JCC Men’s fellowship group, also known as MOG. MOG comprises of boys, young men, middle-aged men, and mature men who come together to worship, share, and listen to God’s word, strengthening their walk with the Lord, Jesus. Men play many leadership roles in life, including those in the family, church, community, workplaces, and other areas. Therefore, it is essential to pray and let the Lord guide them in the right way.
Brother Stan Chihuri is a researcher at a local renowned university, an excellent teacher, a dedicated and hardworking individual in the ministry. He organizes the activities of the MOG, which include all the security, heavy lifting, and caretaking of the church property and assets. MOG holds a prayer breakfast every quarter, in the members’ houses or outdoors, and also hosts events, including participation in the friends and family day with other like-minded churches. MOG also participates in various conferences organized by other church networks, including the AIM conferences in Maryland, led by Pastor Terry King, which take place every September.
JCC Youth
This is a vibrant group consisting of all boys, girls, pre and teens. Sister Sarah Otiso, a CPA and CEO equipped with entrepreneurial mindset, and Brother Elias, a finance director at an organization in the health sector, currently leads this group. JCC Youth participate in all church activities and serve as a support base for young people joining the church. They host an annual conference and other regular engagements for the young people.
JCC Children’s Ministry
The Children’s ministry supports and mentors children aged 12 and below. They train them on who Jesus is and the Bible, based on Proverbs 22:6, ‘train up a child in the way they should go, and when they grow, they will not depart from it’. Dr. Tendai Chihuri, a medical doctor and gospel teacher, heads this ministry, supported by a team of volunteers.
JCC Couples Fellowship
The Couples’ ministry is vibrant and active. The ministry aspires to elevate each couple to meet God’s standard of marital bliss. The ministry aims to address all aspects of marriage, including conflict resolution, finances, communication, and, most importantly, spirituality. The ministry endeavors to host one event every quarter. Their events are filled with fun and life lessons that have a profoundly positive impact on marriages. First Lady Alice Bere, supported by her husband, Pastor Tabudirira Bere, heads this ministry.
JCC Media and Publicity
The Media ministry is responsible for publicizing information products and supporting the efficient running of church services by operating church equipment, including the public address system, recording and publishing services, and maintaining the church’s social media platforms, i.e., the website, Facebook, Instagram, newsletters, and other products. Bro Shadrack Venson supported by Bro David Otiso, heads this ministry.
Praise and Worship Team
The JCC Praise & Worship team is a growing ministry made up of members who are full of energy and enthusiasm, including youths and adults passionate about the ministry. Our members are born again and have a deep respect for God, which is very important. The team is united, and every member is capable of leading a service or the team as a whole. One of the most wonderful aspects of the group is the teamwork, as they listen to and learn from one another while glorifying the name of Jesus. This ministry is led by Sis Gina Ellison, a dynamic and energetic young lady who loves the Lord and hails from Barbados.
Administration
Bro. Archford Kubvoruno, a CPA, is the church administrator responsible for the financial system and administrative tasks of the church. He is responsible for all assets, including property, vehicles, and inventory, and oversees all reporting processes to authorities and stakeholders. He provides regular reports, including those on the budget, its performance, and any other matters related to resources. Sis. Maria Dzangare and her team offer secretarial services to the church, including timely scheduling and notification of events and services.
Fundraising Ministry
Sis Lishon Elliott leads this team and is supported by her husband Bro. Leslie Elliott and Sis. Maingeni Kubvoruno. This team is responsible for fundraising initiatives to secure external resources that will help the church’s building fund and ministry work. Their initiatives include the sale of various merchandise, such as clothing, wares, cakes, candles, ruffles, and fish fry, as well as garage sales and many other endeavors. The team is very innovative and creative in its fundraising efforts, having raised thousands of dollars for the church’s building fund.
Hospitality, Decorations, and Ushers Department
This ministry is responsible for ensuring the well-being of guests and visitors, as well as properly seating and attending to members as they enter the church facilities for services and conferences. Sis Daphne Venson, a professional in administration, heads this ministry.
Outdoor Community Outreach
This ministry, currently led by Pastor Tabudirira Bere, serves as a bridge between the church and the broader community. The ministry leads the church in engaging with and participating in the community’s social and other programs. Through this ministry, the church, as a responsible member of the community, seeks to be relevant, supportive and actively participating in community events and activities such as soccer tournaments and outreach events. This ministry collects assistance from church members and other stakeholders to help members of the community in need. The church supports refugees, new church members to settle down, and other community partners such as the Center for Food Action in Hackensack.
Bible Study
AFM JCC offers a vibrant weekly Bible study, which is conducted online on Thursdays from 8:00 pm to 9:15 pm. The Bible study has been conducted on both a thematic and topical basis, as well as on a book-by-book basis. The focus alternates periodically to keep the study exciting, engaging, and enriching. All church members have been assigned to a group and are given assignments to research, compile a presentation, and share it with participants, who will provide comments and input. Regular reviews are undertaken with input from the church members on the impact and effectiveness of the Bible study programs. Elder Garikai Manyanga, a seasoned diplomat and Bible teacher, leads this ministry.
Prayer/Intercession and Fasting
The church fasts together every Tuesday and meets online for prayer at 8:00 p.m. The Lord has answered and continues to answer many prayers of the church, both corporately and individually. Many testimonies are shared regularly of the Lord’s answers to the prayers of the church. Sis. Maria of the Front Office coordinates and schedules the leading of the prayers; she encourages all the Coordinators as well as Volunteers to take turns leading the prayers.
Singles Ministry
This ministry supports the single male and female adults in the church. This ministry was relaunched at the 2025 Passover conference after a hiatus period. Pastor and First Lady Gutu lead this ministry, supported by other Pastors and ministry partners. Counselling is provided to those who need it.
Evangelism
Born from AFM’s original vision as a movement of evangelism, not just a church, the Ministry serves as the active outreach arm, motivated by the command of Jesus to “go and make disciples…” (Matt 28:19‑20), we consider ourselves apostolic agents, sent into Garfield and beyond, to share the Good News and cultivate new, growing communities of faith. The Ministry’s mission is to proclaim the gospel and raise disciples, empowering believers to be grounded in the power of Jesus’ love.
Students Ministry
This ministry is new and has been necessitated by a large influx of students in our area. The love of God compels us to support them in the best possible way, in their faith and welfare, enabling them to settle in, continue their education, and grow in the Lord. Bro Stan Chihuri is the church board-designated liaison for the students.