Draft:Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene
Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene | |
|---|---|
| Born | Tshifhiwa Irene Venda, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Died | Polokwane, Limpopo, South Africa |
| Nationality | South African |
| Occupation(s) | Pastor, Evangelist |
| Known for | Founder of World Restoration Service (WRS) Ministries |
| Spouse | Widowed (married in 1984, widowed in 1992) |
Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene (born in Venda, Limpopo, South Africa) was a South African pastor, evangelist, and founder of the World Restoration Service (WRS) Ministries. She was widely known for her efforts to spread the Gospel of Jesus Christ and for being the first South African pastor to launch an independent television channel dedicated to ministry.
Early Life and Education
[edit]Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene was born in Venda, Limpopo, South Africa, where she grew up and attended primary, secondary, and some tertiary education. She had early spiritual experiences that laid the foundation for her later ministry work.
Ministry
[edit]Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene initially served under the Christian Worship Center (CWC) in Thohoyandou, Limpopo, which was led by the late Dr. VW Madzinge. She eventually founded her own ministry, the Divine Truth Ministries, which later became the World Restoration Service (WRS).
Her ministry gained widespread recognition for hosting large crusades across South Africa and neighboring countries such as Namibia, Zambia, Malawi, and Zimbabwe. WRS also operated a television channel, initially called Divine Truth Broadcasting Channel (DTBC), later renamed WRS TV. This channel broadcast her sermons and drew a significant following.
Legacy
[edit]Pastor Irene was known for her ability to fill stadiums with attendees seeking blessings and miracles. Despite her influence, her television ministry struggled financially due to high operational costs and competition from other television-based ministries. Following her death, some of the churches she founded either closed or rebranded under new leadership.
Personal life
[edit]Pastor Irene married in 1984 and was widowed in 1992. Before entering full-time ministry, she worked at Standard Bank for 12 years. She lived a modest life despite her ministry's financial successes. Her properties were later disputed among family members, requiring legal intervention.
Death
[edit]Pastor Irene passed away on October 24, 2017, after being hospitalized for flu-like symptoms. Her death was attributed to exhaustion and the immense pressure of managing ministry operations, including financial and administrative duties, without sufficient support. Her passing marked the decline of the WRS ministry.
Impact
[edit]Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene's work inspired the creation of numerous churches and helped convert many individuals to Christianity. Her pioneering efforts in Christian broadcasting in South Africa left a lasting legacy despite the eventual closure of her television channel.
See also
[edit]References
[edit]- "Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene Biography." [Accessed date].
- Articles and interviews regarding Pastor Tshifhiwa Irene's ministry and personal life.