In the forum where he once spoke for more than seven hours, 1,300 party members who meet every five years to elect the leadership gave him a standing ovation.

In reality, the church countryside was controlled by a cadre of charter members, who used their money and power of intimidation to thwart the elected leadership.

Every two years the congress elects the leadership of the party's organisation.

Each zone, like the organization as a whole, has elected leadership who work to coordinate the activities and needs of the community in their areas.