to serve Called and empowered

If we speak about a calling to serve Christ, many assume one can only serve the church by being a minister. My story is quite different. My name is Alois Magigwana from the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) Synod of Zimbabwe. I am a third-year Bachelor of Arts student, majoring in English and Media and Cultural Studies at the University of KwaZulu Natal. This has been made possible through a Council for World Mission (CWM) Academic Accompaniment Programme (AAP) Scholarship.

My calling to serve Christ came during the CWM Training in Mission (TIM) programme in 2016,

Through my efforts in running the youth newsletter, I was appointed the UCCSA Denomination media officer. It was then I realized I needed to serve Christ through media and communications. I recall submitting my application for the CWM AAP scholarship and thought working in the media department for the church seemed like an unattainable dream. Many churches were unaware of the significance of having a media department. During the COVID-19 pandemic, when churches were shut down and people were compelled to assemble and attend to their spiritual needs online, the importance of media and communications came to the fore. It became imperative for churches to develop media departments. Prior to this, I had never felt that my calling was recognised as necessary.

Having been equipped with skills and knowledge, my aim and prayer is that this study will enable me to better serve Christ professionally, especially through my church, UCCSA. My primary area of expertise is in writing for the media, which is relevant to the church’s mandate, since the mission of the church is to reach people everywhere. It will be my duty to use my abilities and knowledge to ensure that the gospel of Christ is presented and spread in a way that appeals to people of all ages and reaches every part of the world.

As I commence my last semester, I hope that the church will put my knowledge and talents to use in a way that will enhance my professional and spiritual development, all for the glory of God and the church. Even though I wish to serve the UCCSA, I believe my calling extends beyond any particular church. I am therefore prepared to serve in the future through the CWM Partners in Mission programme anywhere in the world.