THE CONTAGIOUS Magazine ADVENTIST
Issue 2 March 2014
Broken Shackles
A world gone wrong
The Gospel of Health
Freedom in Christ:
The Liberation that comes with knowing God
For I am not ashamed for the gospel of Christ
2
A Publication of Gospel Commission
Editorial Fairly recently I watched film producer, Justin Chadwick’s movie, Mandela: Long Walk to Freedom. A com-
pelling yet touching narrative of the late statesman’s instrumentalism in setting a foundation for democracy, and equality for the people of South Africa; an ideal for which he was prepared to die and for which he suffered immensely. We take not for granted the contributions made by like-minded heroes across the world who have been brave enough to challenge authority, speak out when others would cower away in fear, put their lives on the line for justice, peace and freedom … freedom of expression, freedom from slavery, servitude, and forced labour, freedom of religious belief and opinions, freedom of expression, freedom of movement and residence; equality in dignity and rights. You and I are politically free, but are our lives as abundant and liberated as God intended? A quick glance around our communities reveals that something is amiss. Humanity is still bound by all manner of chains; some real, some imagined, and others spiritual. How do we break off these chains? The answer is clearly laid out in John 8 v 36: If the Son sets you free, you will be free indeed. Rediscover your freedom in Christ in the pages that follow. -Sithembile Moyo
Contributors:Nhlanhla Buthelezi. Nqabutho Madida.Nonhlanhla Mlalazi. Karabo Maimela. Dr George Sedupane. Sithembile Moyo.Justine Sibomana, Jean-Bernard Sibomana. Cheryl Edwards , Elona Hlatshwayo Mandhla Matshazi, Busiku Michelo. Mkhonzeni Sibanda. Dezre Little. Nation Vilakazi
A Publication of Gospel Commission
3
IN THIS ISSUE He says, She says… Photography Journey A world gone wrong The Liberation that comes with knowing God From the Pen of Inspiration Evangelism Feature- Prison Ministries Broken Shackles A Life Restored The Gospel of Health Rwandan and Burundian Seventh Day Adventist ministry in Cape Town The Contagion Effect Chains of love
The Contagious Adventist is a publication of Gospel Commission. The main object of Gospel Commission is to support the Seventh-day Adventist Mission, which is to make disciples of all people, communicating the everlasting gospel in the context of the three angels’ messages of Revelation 14:6-12, leading them to accept Jesus as personal Saviour, unite with His remnant Church; discipling them to serve Him as Lord and preparing them for His soon return. Ad.vent.ist /’ad,ventist/ noun: One who believes that the second advent of Christ is imminent Gospel Commission is on Facebook and Twitter. Keep up with our events by linking up with us on these platforms.
Gospel Commission @GospelCommSA P.S. Your stories and testimonies are most welcome. Our next issue will be themed “ Mission”. If you are involved in a ministry or mission work and would like to share and inspire, please write to us. The email address is contagiousadventist@gmail.com
4
He Says She Says To me it is knowing that my life is covered by His grace comprehensively. My life is insured. So I can take all the necessary precautions, say my prayers, devote my life daily and do my best , trusting that God will lead me through mountains high and valleys deep. Even in circumstances most extenuating, I can keep my cool knowing I have the blessed hope, even when I have done everything humanly possible and things don’t work out the way I have planned. -Karabo Maimela
Freedom in Christ means to me that the devil has no trump card over my life because Jesus paid for all my sins. Sithembile Moyo Freedom in Christ means to be free to believe that which is true, to be set free from superstitions and fables, from believing things which are not as though they were. To be free from my “self � and slavery to sin and also to be set free from a dark past to a bright and blissful future. It is to be free to do and to stand for that which I know is right. Most importantly, I am free to love even in the face of hatred, free to be an instrument of peace even in the midst of strife, Free to be like Jesus. Free from worry of current and future needs and even if I were to lose everything, as long as I have Him I have everything I need both in this life even in the life to come. Sibonelo Madlopha
Freedom in Christ means that I can live with a conscious assurance that I have a living Saviour who understands all that I go through and is constantly interceding on my behalf in heaven. Thus I am not afraid at all. Philemon Arito Freedom in Christ means obeying the Law of Liberty, which we are enabled to keep by His grace. It means freedom from the bondage of sin and its deadly effects to the soul. Spha Shozi
A Publication of Gospel Commission
on Freedom in Christ Freedom in Christ to me means: my humanity combined with His divinity, and His Divinity covering my humanity to its minutest detail. Tony Felino Freedom in Christ means being freed from the slavery of sin. It means being transformed through the renewing of the mind. From a sinner to a saint, from one who served Satan to one who delights fully in serving Christ. It means being freed from the bondage of lies & Satan’s deception. Serame Makhele
Freedom in Christ is experiencing the liberation of the heart, the awesome ability to walk in the newness of life, acknowledging that the past neither matters nor determines the future because Christ has made the difference. Nonhlanhla Mlalazi
When I think of freedom, I think of Isaiah 41:10 “Fear thou not; for I am with thee: be not dismayed; for I am thy God: I will strengthen thee; yea, I will help thee; yea, I will uphold thee with the right hand of my righteousness” . Freedom in Christ is being fearless of the unknown and having the assurance that God is there for me, helping me strive to live a sin-less life. Jane Nshuti Freedom in Christ is the ability to be myself, whilst knowing God is in control of my life. Caroline Dabengwa
5
“Then God saw everything that He had made, and indeed it was very good…” Gen 1:31
Photography Journey Elona Hlatshwayo
A Publication of Gospel Commission
W
7
hen I moved to Cape Town over a decade ago, I was awed by the beautiful landscapes in my new surroundings. I had a small film camera and took lots of pictures with the aim of sharing all the beauty I would discover. There’s always a desire to share the beauty around us, sometimes by showing others and more commonly by taking pictures, to preserve, freeze the moment and hope you feel the peace again when you look at it later. I always had a longing to take pictures that froze the emotions that stirred up in me when I looked at the splendour of God’s creation. I took pictures but hardly shared with a lot of people; they became my pictures for memory. About eight years later; I felt a stirring in my heart that I had lived in Cape Town for so long and had stopped appreciating its beauty, my daily drive to work was picturesque, but I often saw the traffic and the slow drivers in front of me. One day I decided to park the car and look at the ocean and spend time with God while I waited for the traffic to subside. It was the beginning of a new hobby; I started to take pictures of the different spots along the ocean. I would park the car on my way to work or from work, and called these spots “God’s masterpieces”. I began to carry my camera around, just in case I ran into something beautiful to capture and share. One day a colleague said she looked forward to the pictures I was sharing and that she had never looked at nature as something that had to do with religion or God. Responses like these were some of the motivators that spurred me on. As a life coach now living in Dublin, Ireland, I have spent a number of sessions encouraging people to go out and do whatever it is they are passionate about, or what they have been called to do. I am doing just that. I am passionate about sharing the beauty that God created through my lens; the most amazing thing for me as a photographer is that I am yet to find that lens, that camera that sees with the perfection of the eyes that God created! In all my travels, I love to tell the world, of the beauty and goodness that He created around us, through photography.
The heavens declare the glory of God; and the firmament showeth his handiwork. Psalm 19:1
A World
THE PROBLEM – THE RESULT – THE SOLUTION – THE COMMISSION
Gone Wrong
Pastor Nhlanhla Buthelezi The problem In a world periled by ill-discipline and its resulting social vices, there is a need for a new standard. Such a standard I dare to argue needs to be an ideal to which one can aspire to, but it also needs to be a practical and attainable ethic, one practiced not in a silo or some moral cubicle, but one which benefits the whole of humanity. Our current condition as people has marred the power of community and has in turn introduced a selfish practice of individuality which is very much foreign to Africans. Such a practice is one where the individual is above the collective, where one man can live like a king when he has got the resources to save multitudes from their peasantry. The world needs to redefine the value of living in relation to others, where the part is connected rather than disjointed from the whole. There has to be more to life than sitting idly by as thousands of young people perish and are rendered to the flames by a society that is drowning in its own haemorrhage. What methods can be used to help develop a generation that is rooted in honour, honesty, faithfulness and empathy? These virtues have been lost to us, thus creating a vacuum in society, one which is readily filled by anger, hatred, lack of respect for human life and other cancerous woes which continue to consistently plague human existence. We are faced with sickness, unemployment, an appalling crime rate, divorce and many other broken relationships which fragment the societal family. These conditions have come to characterize human
existence, however, a deeper look into ourselves will reveal the crystal clear truth that we are better than this, we can become better only if we are willing to diagnose the real problem rather than hide behind religion, black suits and air conditioned offices. The results The aforementioned problems manifest themselves in various ways. A man who leads a broken home may mistreat those who are his subordinates at work purely out of the frustration that he is faced with back at home. Similarly, a young lady who has been impregnated and forsaken may feel a heavy blow which ultimately may result in her losing faith in herself and the future. We cannot deny the fact that we live in a world which is destroyed by strained human relationships. The Bible therefore needs to stop being a historical document which has no practical and present relevance to the current state of affairs; rather, we are to go to the bible with a refreshed lens, a lens which will aid us in seeing Jesus Christ as the sole object and agent in restoring human relations. From the 4 canonical gospels we are met with Jesus as one who prioritizes others over himself. In Him we are met with empathy at its very zenith, humility at its most powerful and goodwill in its purest sense. Is this an impossible thing for us to accomplish as people? Can we not forgive each other when we have wronged each other? Can we not view our struggles in light of the burdens which others are carrying?
A Publication of Gospel Commission
The solution There has to be a reason that the bible places value in a community and people centred lifestyle rather than an individualistic focused approach to life. The Old Testament presents to us a God who is constantly pursuing mankind. Such a God is one who abides with us not by being in the lofty and celestial pillars of Heaven, but one who abides with us in the squalor of our daily human routine; in every tear, every failure, every heart-ache, every broken promise and every pain inducing sickness. This God is not the God who is known to the Israelites, rather, He is one who is loved by the suffering, the weak, the widow, the prodigal child and the runt of the litter. This God is Jesus Christ, who is powerful not in His ability to wield lightning bolts but in His willingness to die the death of a pauper so that you I may be liberated to live a life filled with meaning and one which leads to some salvific end. My challenge to my generation is to live a Christ centred life, such a life does not make one immune to danger, not does it make one invincible to problems, however what it does do is grant one strength to live a little notch above the frailty of mankind so common to all of us. Such a life will grant you strength to practice mercy where many would be punitive. The way of Christ gives humanity hope to become something better. Mankind is made better by showing love rather than hate. All the problems that we face stem from a root cause which does not know love. Restoration therefore is when we seek to mend broken people, broken relationships and broken dreams by realizing the power and value of each other, rather than overlook the other so that we may be the sole focus of whatever it is that we want. This is not something that we can practice without some particular end in mind; I propose therefore that loving your neighbour as you love yourself is not just a biblical mantra but a much needed expe-
rience which can transform the manner in which we live our lives. Love is a powerful force particularly because it is a counterculture. Love is counter to the norm; in a vengeful world where difference is met with contempt and weakness with oppression, only love can truly become the differentiating factor where human existence is concerned. The bible gives us exactly that; a love story written throughout a 1500 year period yet one which is still relevant even today. I would propose that change is a difficult thing but a necessary one. In what ways do you think that your life needs to change? What areas of your life need to experience renewal or regeneration? The commission We cannot change the world for good if we suppress love and allow hatred to reign supreme. This therefore is a charge to transform our lives by living a life which is totally countercultural to the societal norm. This means that you put others before yourself and see their needs as intricately intertwined to your own. This is a call to Christian discipleship; it is a call to follow the method of Jesus Christ. We cannot follow the method of Jesus Christ by doing so selectively, we need to overhaul the entire system. Change the manner in which we approach problems, those that are different to us, opposition, failure, illness, disappointment and resentment. If we can find biblical solutions to the above problems, I would suggest that our quest would begin and end with love. The Great Commission as set forth in the book of Matthew 28 is a blueprint of love, you cannot teach, disciple, exhort and strengthen unless those things are being done out of a genuine need to show love and care to the “other�. May God richly bless us in our quest to strengthen human relationships which have been strained by sin.
9
10
A Publication of Gospel Commission
Freedom
in Christ:
The Liberation that Comes with Knowing God Nqabutho Madida
The two simplest definitions of freedom that I found in the Oxford Dictionary were “the state of not being imprisoned or enslaved,” and the other was “the power or right to act, speak, or think as one wants.” It does not state whether that freedom may be limited by commonly accepted behavioral limits. For example, while a verbally abusive person may be exercising their power to think, speak and act as they want. However, should the person on the receiving end of such treatment launch a lawsuit, the courts though may send out a message that a person may not speak or do as they want. The definition that appealed to me was the first one as it resonates with Christ’s announcement as he began his ministry here on earth. He proclaimed, “The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he hath anointed me to preach the gospel to the poor; he hath sent me to heal the brokenhearted, to preach deliverance to the captives, and recovering of sight to the blind, to set at liberty them that are bruised…” Proclaim deliverance to captives? Captives of what? Liberty to those that are bruised? Bruised by what? Freedom from Blindness Christ stated that his mission was to restore sight to the blind. He did this by restoring the eyes of a man who was born blind in John 10; He restored the sight of Bartimeus who lived by begging next to the highway. But perhaps Christ came restore sight for an even worse form of blindness; that of bigotry, lack of love even by those who claimed to know God. The bible describes as being blind those who lack faith, virtue, temperance, patience, godliness, brotherly kindness and love. In the story of Mark 8:22, Christ heals a blind person by touching him twice. After he had spat on his eyes and putting his hands on him, he asked him if he could see. The blind man replied “I see men as trees walking”. Do we see people as people, or perhaps we see people as ‘walking trees?’ Often when we are blinded by our own prejudices we may momentarily view people as something else. Christ pulled back the ‘curtain of blindness’ that had smitten humanity so badly that people had developed a skewed understanding of the character of God. He did this by showing that he cared.
Freedom for the bruised Christ also stated that his mission was to set at liberty those that are bruised. Bruised by what or by who one may ask? Life’s experiences and situations may leave us bruised and at times scarred for life. Knowing that someone cares, empathizes and supplies unwavering support through your ordeal does set your heart at liberty. Peter tells that we should cast all our cares on Jesus because he cares for us. The verse does not say put, or lay it says cast or throw down. In one village I saw ladies coming from gathering firewood. The load they were carrying on their heads was very big. When they arrived at the place where they kept the firewood, they did not gently get if off their heads, they threw it down. As we go through life, at times ‘loads’ of things weigh us down mentally, emotionally and physically leaving us drained or even bruised. Christ helped those who were bruised by grief like the woman who had just lost her son. He brought him back to life. Christ helped those who were bruised by disease or sickness like the man by the pool of Bethesda who was ‘chained’ by disease for 38 years. That same power is still available today to everyone who by faith reaches out to Jesus in prayer. Freedom from sin The greatest captor of humanity that is so powerful it can even eternally separate them from God is sin. In sin is rebellion against God and his principles. John defines sin as breaking the law or lawlessness. In this case the bible is talking about the law of God. This spirit or attitude of rebellion against God began in heaven with Lucifer who then persuaded Adam and Eve to join him in his rebellion. When they exercised their freedom of choice to disobey God they became captives of sin. Paul tells us that whatever we give up ourselves to obey, we become servants of that thing, “…whether of sin unto death, or of obedience unto righteousness? The human race has been held captive by sin, and it is only Christ who has the power to rewire the mind to submit to God’s authority. While walking and doing his work, Christ would say,
“Your sins are forgiven” In Mark 2:5 Christ did not just provide freedom from disease; he saw that the greater need was deep in the heart of the sick man. So he began by forgiveness of sin and then healing. When Christ sets us free from an attitude of rebellion against God, our broken relationship with Him is restored and in the process we are spiritually healed. Greg had just acquired his driver’s license a few months ago. He was excited at having finally succeeded after failing a couple of times. His father drove with him around just to boost his confidence on the steering wheel. After a while Greg could drive around on his own and do the family chores that required using the vehicle. On his way to the shop one day, perhaps absent minded or just too excited to be driving on his own he drove through a clear STOP sign. The police patrol car witnessed the incident and the officer quickly followed Greg and ordered him to stop. With a heart pounding faster than normal and sweaty palms he stopped the vehicle. The officer invoked the law, clearly showing the wrong that Greg had done. Faced with indisputable evidence of his misdeed, Greg apologized and begged for mercy from the traffic police officer. After scolding Greg a couple more times the officer let him go without a fine/ charge. This did not mean Greg was not guilty; the traffic police officer pardoned him. The point of the story is this: We stand guilty before God for sinning. His perfect law broken by our attitudes, thoughts, words and deeds demands that we be treated as law breakers. But Christ in his infinite mercy stepped in; He took the treatment meant for us, lawbreakers, as His. And then He set us free. As one author puts it “Christ was treated as we deserve, that we might be treated as He deserves. He was condemned for our sins, in which He had no share, that we might be justified by His righteousness, in which we had no share. He suffered the death which was ours, that we might receive the life which was His. With His stripes we are healed.” This grace or favour that we do not deserve sets us free from sin.
A Publication of Gospel Commission
12
S
tand fast therefore in the liberty wherewith Christ hath made us free, and be not entangled again with the yoke of bondage. Gal 5:1.
In the beginning God placed man under law as an indispensable condition of his very existence. He was a subject of the divine government, and there can be no government without law.... God is omnipotent, omniscient, immutable. He always pursues a straightforward course. His law is truth—immutable, eternal truth. His precepts are consistent with His attributes. But Satan makes them appear in a false light. By perverting them, he seeks to give human beings an unfavorable impression of the Lawgiver. Throughout his rebellion he has sought to represent God as an unjust, tyrannical being.... As a result of Adam’s disobedience every human being is a transgressor of the law, sold under sin. Unless he repents and is converted, he is under bondage to the law, serving Satan, falling into the deceptions of the enemy, and bearing witness against the precepts of Jehovah. But by perfect obedience to the requirements of the law, man is justified. Only through faith in Christ is such obedience possible. Men may comprehend the spirituality of the law, they may realize its power as a detector of sin, but they are helpless to withstand Satan’s power and deceptions, unless they accept the atonement provided for them in the remedial sacrifice of Christ, who is our Atonement—our At-one-ment—with God. Those who believe on Christ and obey His commandments are not under bondage to God’s law; for to those who believe and obey, His law is not a law of bondage, but of liberty. Everyone who believes on Christ, everyone who relies on the keeping power of a risen Saviour that has suffered the penalty pronounced upon the transgressor, everyone who resists temptation and in the midst of evil copies the pattern given in the Christ life, will through faith in the atoning sacrifice of Christ become a partaker of the divine nature, having escaped the corruption that is in the world through lust. Everyone who by faith obeys God’s commandments will reach the condition of sinlessness in which Adam lived before his transgression -Taken from ‘In Heavenly Places’, pg 146
A Publication of Gospel Commission
From
the Pen of Inspiration
Nature photography by Cheryl Edwards , Jean-Bernard Sibomana & ElonaNH Photography.
A Publication of Gospel Commission
14
Evangelism-Prison Ministries Feature Sithembile Moyo
Introduction On the Sabbath of 19 October 2013, I met up with Gonste Molebalwa, a young man who leads Sunnyside SDA Church Prison Ministries. The purpose of my interview with him was to get a little bit of insight into how the ministry is run and to mentally prepare myself for a future visit to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services, where Gontse and his team visit every Sabbath morning. Gontse, tell me a little bit about yourself. What is your spiritual background? I grew up attending the ZCC church with my family but as life progressed, we drifted away and our faith slumped. There came a point where we stopped attending altogether. As I was getting ready to start a life of my own in my
twenties, I joined SAB Miller as a Promoter then at a later stage a supervisor. Within three years however, I lost my job and struggled to find work thereafter. In 2009 I left Sunnyside, Pretoria to stay with my older brother who was working in Mpumalanga with the hope that I would find work there and get back on track. Things were not to work out as easily as that though. I returned to Gauteng in 2010, and moved in with friends in Sunnyside. For anyone to struggle to make a living and to fail to get employment is devastating; more so for a man. I felt that I hadn’t lived up to be who I’d wanted to be. Overcome by feelings of helplessness, disappointment, and hurt I decided that I was going to take my life. I stood on the balcony of a 4th floor apartment in Sunnyside ready to jump and that was when God spoke to me. He told me that it wasn’t the end. I walked back indoors, crying and shaking and prayed for God to help me. I resolved that I would look for a church and seek God’s will for my life.
A Publication of Gospel Commission
My search led me through a couple of churches but as I was searching the scriptures and seeking answers to questions regarding Christian purpose and duty I found that the messages I was hearing a lot were prosperity-based, speaking of what God could do for me or how He could prosper my life and they didn't address what I'd set out to get answers on. I met a very religious guy called Elias Peterson at the gym who used to talk about God all the time. In one of our conversations about churches he mentioned the Seventh Day Adventist church. Ironically he was not a member of the SDA church then and would only join the church after me. On the 4th of December 2010 I visited Sunnyside SDA church. Pastor Hall preached a sermon that touched my soul. He spoke about the need to build our lives on the rock which is Christ Jesus. I went back the following week and after the service I asker Brother Thamsanqa Tshuma on how I could join the church. The search was over. I’d found my new home. I was baptised on the 14th of May 2011. After joining the church how did you get involved in ministry? I made an offering to God and prayed asking that He would show me my spiritual gift. The answer came in me realising that I easily remembered scripture after studying it and that I could convey that knowledge to others. My opportunity to work for God initially came through Bro Valentine Munyati who with a small group of people from church would give bible study outside the Union buildings in Pretoria. It was there that I gave my first sermon.
15
Later on Kagiso Monkutlwatsi, another brother from the church invited me to a prison visit. I accompanied him as an observer but when I got there and saw how hungry the inmates were for the word of God it did something to me. It got me asking God if this ministry was perhaps His calling for me. Since then I have continued with the prison visits. Together with the Sunnyside team we go to Kgosi Mampuru Correctional Services every Sabbath morning to share God’s word, encourage and fellowship with the inmates. Did you eventually find employment? Are you able to support yourself now? Yes, I took up maintenance work for the church and now I’m working towards getting a business up and running; but I must say; after all the job applications I’ve submitted; I’ve realized that it wasn’t a job that I was looking for, but peace. For some reason I had believed that employment would grant me a sense of peace but it wasn’t so. Finally I’m at peace all thanks to the wounds of a faithful friend Jesus Christ. What support programs does Correctional Services provide to inmates? For starters they have church which they respond very well to. One of the inmates also tells me that counseling services are offered which helps as being in prison comes with many challenges including abuse by fellow inmates. If necessary and when a request is made, there’s an option to be moved to a different cell.
16
A Publication of Gospel Commission
How are your programs structured at Kgosi Mampuru?
Have you made friends at prison? Tell me more about that.
Our programs are packed. Our allocated time slot is 08:30 to 11:00, every Saturday morning. We offer bible study, a sermon, a life-skills session as well as prayer and sharing time. In life skills we cover things like health, anger-management and hygiene. We supplement bible study with various other resources, including ‘The Great Hope’, which is an abridged version of ‘ The Great controversy’. We have also found it useful to ask our audience what bible concepts they struggle with, which they’d like us to cover in future sessions. We then allocate research tasks within the group, prepare and then go back the week after to present
Yes, I’ve made a few friends. Two of them are now out of prison and have found jobs. They come to church now and then. They haven’t fully accepted the Sabbath message but they are very good friends of mine and I have gotten to know their families as well. Others are still in Correctional Services. Sadly we have little time to communicate but I tell them how I love and appreciate them and that Christ loves them even more.
What response do you get from the inmates? The response to our ministry is very positive. We get genuine requests for prayer, bibles and writing material. The testimonies that the prisoners share with us in response to the sermons and messages given are a blessing to the team and encourage us to continue with our work.
How has this ministry affected or touched you? This work has changed me in that I see life and people differently. I have also come to realise that God’s word is not to be kept to oneself... You cannot keep feeding yourself spiritually without sharing with the next person. As Christians it is our duty to seek people out and minister to them in whatever way we can. What does freedom in Christ mean to you? Freedom is a state of mind which everyone has access to. A man once said, ‘yes I’m in prison, but yet in my mind and spirit I am free’. The following week, on the 26th, I traveled to Kgosi Mampuru with Gontse and team. We went to the male section of the prison where I was going to sit in while
A Publication of Gospel Commission
After surrendering personal possessions, showing our IDs and being frisked by the security personnel, we were led through a maze of long corridors, with numerous gates and check points to the room where our audience had already started singing. It was painful to see how young some of these men were. Barely into their twenties, they had already found their way into such a place, but I was encouraged by the enthusiasm in their voices as they sang to God. It was as Gonste had described to me the week before, I sensed their hunger for God, These young men were happy to be visited by us, and when the Sabbath program started they were all so still, so attentive, taking in and processing all that they were being taught. When time was given for feedback and questions, eager responses were given. I realized from this visit that the places we are least keen to visit, probably have the greatest need. I have no doubt that we as Contagious Adventists have a lot that we can share, and ought to seek out the needy, just as God would have us do.
Testimonies to the Church volume 7 reads: “Consecrated men and women are needed to stand as fruit-bearing trees of righteousness in the desert places of the earth. As thereward of their self-sacrificing efforts to sow the seeds of truth, they will reap a rich harvest. As they visit family after family, opening the Scriptures to those in spiritual darkness, many hearts will be touched. In fields where the conditions are so objectionable and disheartening that many workers refuse to go to them, most remarkable changes for the better may be brought about by the efforts of self-sacrificing lay members. These humble workers will accomplish much because they put forth patient, persevering effort, not relying upon human power, but upon God, who gives them His favor. The amount of good that these workers accomplish will never be known in this world.�
From Left: Bro. Jabu Zikhale,Mrs Sibanda, Bro. Jeff Lebakeng, Sr.Nthabiseng Harawa, Bro. Gontse Molebalwa
18
Broken S
A Publication of Gospel Commission
Read on and find out how God set people free from shackles that they never imagined they’d ever escape...
John 8:36 reads; ‘’If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed.” What powerful and assuring words. Think about that which is troubling your mind. That which seems to have a hold on you.That which you have been struggling with. Think of when Jesus sets you free from it, how it shall be with you. Be encouraged, that indeed when Jesus sets you free, you shall be free indeed. In Mark Chapter 5 from verses 1 to 20, we come across the account of a man who was possessed with an unclean spirit. We are told that he dwelt among the tombs in the country of the Gadarenes. He was often bound with fetters and chains but he would pluck them asunder. Night and day he was in the mountains and tombs crying and cutting himself. How tragic and fearful a sight it must have been to see. As you read on in verse 6, we are told of how when he saw Jesus coming afar off, he ran and worshipped Him. After that encounter, the man was never the same again. In fact, he was restored to his right mind (verse 15). At the command of Jesus, the man was freed from the demons that had possessed and tortured him. He wanted to be with Jesus, but Jesus told him to go home to his friends and tell them of what The Lord had done for him (verse 19). Should it not be so with us? That we testify of the goodness of The Lord. How we have been set free from that which imprisoned us in the past. It is not about us, but about Jesus, who has the power to set souls free. Acts 3:6 reads “ Then Peter said, silver and gold have I none, but such as I have give I thee. In The Name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth rise up and walk”. This man to whom these powerful words were spoken to did rise. The Bible says he was walking and leaping and praising God (verse 8). This man was healed of his lameness, we could also say he was freed from the condition which crippled his legs. Praise God for His power to set free-Busiku Michelo
Shackles
A Publication of Gospel Commission
Dezre Little: My Testimony It’s a blessing and a privilege to share my testimony as I am reminded of Jesus’ love and care. I would like to share a verse with you.
Genesis28:16 And Jacob awakened out of his sleep, and he said, Surely the Lord is in this place; and I knew it not. Looking back it is difficult to pin point exactly what led me to Christ. There has been a chain of events, some old and some new. I am a lot like the prodigal son in the Bible. My grandmother used to bring me to church when I was a little girl. In my late teenage years I started going away from the church. I calmed down some in my early twenties, but still in 2010 I was partying up a storm, going out to clubs and pubs, drinking heavily most nights, smoking and on the odd occasion taking drugs. There were some things about me that never changed. I never forgot about church and although I did not lead a Christian life as we would see it a lot of principles still stayed with me, and often on the weekends used to go to my grandmothers and while I was there we sometimes discussed religious topics. My grandmother had a wealth of information and knew Bible verses out of the top of her head to answer my questions. She used to pray for me all the time. Now I was becoming increasingly unhappy with my situation and surroundings and my relationship. I would go out drinking and would find myself staring around me thinking that this wasn’t my life and that I shouldn’t be here I should be somewhere else and that this was all meaningless. I had a nagging feeling all the time that I was not doing right, I would read the Bible or pray and feel that I was being told to get out of my relationship but I wouldn’t. It felt like I was being told to stop smoking, get out of my relationship, go to church, pay my tithes etc. I would brush it off with many excuses and dismissals. Eventually my ex and I ended the relationship. I was slowly changing, and the differences between us were causing conflicts. I had started to study and cut down on my drinking, and partying, and tried to be a bit healthier and because of this we were going in opposite directions and wanted different things out of life.
19
20
A Publication of Gospel Commission
That afternoon I went to visit my mother. All I could think about was smoking and eventually had to smoke. I had been smoking since I was fifteen and had never been able to give up smoking. I was upset and said sorry to God that I could not stop smoking and I felt helpless.
I had tried to get healthier in the sense that I stopped drinking, and changed my diet to more home cooked meals, raw fruit and vegetable juices on a daily basis. This already made a difference but I was still fatigued and drained, I woke up tired, I was stressed out, and my mind felt exhausted and cloudy. The rest of the year was awful. My mother and my aunt and my grandmother ended up in hospital. My mom had a tumor the size of a rugby ball removed. My grandmother fell and broke her hip in May. The family all gathered around her to take care of her 24/7 and in October she passed away. I said to God one morning; “okay here I am”. For some reason I felt that I needed to change things, and I became more and more absorbed in the Bible, the writings of Ellen G White and health. My grandmother was a Seventh-day Adventist and she was my lighthouse. Whenever I needed advice or comfort my granny knew what was best. Losing her shook my world and the rest of the family. I decided to go to church early 2012. The study guides at the time had a picture of a lighthouse on it and this struck me as a suggestion that Jesus would become my new lighthouse. On the 11th March after church I was asking about health and whether the church had anything involving health because it was on my mind. I was invited out to lunch and when they decided to pray for me I was moved to tears. They recommended that I contact Befree, as it sounded like something that I would really like. That afternoon I went to visit my mother. All I could think about was smoking and eventually had to smoke. I had been smoking since I was fifteen and had never been able to give up smoking. I was upset and said sorry to God that I could not stop smoking and I felt helpless. That morning at 2am I woke up very ill. In the morning as soon as I could I went back to my mother’s house so that I was not alone. Soon after I arrived I got sick, very sick, my temperature went up and down, and couldn’t keep any food or liquids down for 3 days, and on day 4 I was very weak. It was also on Day 4 that I realised that I had just gone through a full 4 day detox and I decided that God had helped me to stop smoking. I also had no sense of smell for the next 5 days or so and while I was around my mother and work colleagues who are heavy smokers I could not smell their cigarettes and had no inclination to smoke. Since then I have had no inclination or desire to smoke.
A Publication of Gospel Commission
In response to the smoking habit being taken away from me, I decided to become vegetarian at the same time, almost as a thank you. I felt that I should leave the working environment that I was in as it was very destructive and a bad influence over me, and that I should move out of town and that I need to get healthy. I resigned in faith from my job. However, they asked me to stay on for an extra two months and would pay out a bonus if I did, this would give me enough money to not work for 3-4 months. I moved in with my brother in Burgundy Estates and went to Befree to do Module 1. I also visited my grandparents in Pietermaritzburg, spent time reading the Bible, stopped drinking completely, took Bible study lessons with Barry and then got baptised on the 29th of July 2012. Straight after being baptised I found work in Claremont and I have moved in with my mom. In December 2012, I attended an all night prayer at Claremont church and I prayed that my mom and my aunt’s health would improve and that I would be a better influence in their lives. I have already seen an improvement in my aunt’s health and I see that my mom has started reading the bible. I believe that God lead me back to the Seventh-day Adventist church at Mowbray. There are still days when I feel like I am not progressing fast enough and that I keep making mistakes and will never be a good Christian. But, whenever I have worried in the past, things have come right and there are little reminders here and there that God is in control and that he cares. He has led me out of trouble and is teaching me new things all the time. I cannot see what his plans are for me and I still feel very blind and deaf, but I trust that he won’t leave me. Jesus has changed my life and brought me this far. I believe that I am here for a reason, and when I am ready and the time is right maybe one day I can be a lighthouse to others. It has been to me a blessing, a great source of comfort and continues to teach me new things. Psalms 46:10 – Be still and know that I am God.
If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all [men] liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him. James 1:5
22
A Life Restored Nation Vilakazi
Ever wondered how a delicate sapling can healthily grow through a crack in a concrete pavement despite being
constantly trampled on and receiving no nurturing whatsoever. Somewhat elusive to logic yet a fitting metaphor to a man who against all odds and locked up in high concrete walls, fought a war against self -destructive addiction and came out victorious. Nation Vilakazi was in Standard 6 when he was introduced to cigarettes and dagga by an older cousin. What started off as an act of curiosity and wanting to be counted among the cool, became a habit that he would struggle to let go of. Nation believes that the combination of dagga and bad company led him to doing things that he wouldn’t have done otherwise. At the young age of 18 he became involved in crimes that would result in him spending the most important years of his prime behind bars. It interesting to know that in spite of the tight security and surveillance in prisons, drugs still get smuggled in.Tebogo, a fellow inmate of Nation’s while he was at Boksburg Prison some years ago, got a hold of nyaope, a street drug said to be a combination of all sorts of chemicals including ARVs... In what played out like a déjà vue, Nation was again invited to try out. Something was different this time around though, he just could not take it in. Despite Tebogo urging him to take one more pull and teasing him for wasting his merchandise, he couldn’t go along with it. In retrospect he says it must have been God’s intervention. He started asking himself questions about where his life was headed, and decided that he needed to quit smoking and do something constructive with his life. An initial attempt to stay clean lasted for six months during which time Nation struggled with withdrawal symptoms of physical sickness and frustration. At the end of the six months, however, he fell into the habit again, this time sinking deeper than he had been before. “4/5 of whatever money I got funded cigarettes and dagga. At some point it occurred to me that I was struggling with a spiritual issue. By getting into this habit in the first place, I had given the devil a means of trapping me. To break free I needed someone more powerful than my addiction, and that person was God” At some point it occurred to me that I was struggling with a spiritual issue. By getting into this habit in the first place, I had given the devil a means of trapping me. To break free I needed someone more powerful than my addiction, and that person was God
A Publication of Gospel Commission
23 Although he had failed himself before, he was going to take a leap of faith and plead for God to take over his situation. Filling his time with prayer and constructive activities, he did not leave any room for idle moments. He took up a bible study course, matric, and electrical engineering through an FET college all in the same year, and excelled. When Nation talks about his academic achievements he smiles broadly, and when he tells you about having been totally clean from drugs since 2008, his face lights up even more. “Nothing is impossible with God; I am a living testimony of that.Even when I back-slid and undid 6 month’s worth of recovery, He still gave me the strength to try again.” “My message to young people who will come to know my story is that the choices they make and the people they associate with will either build or destroy them. Choose wisely.” “To those people who are caught up in substance-abuse and addiction; look to God for help. Rehabilitation and “My message to young people medication will help you to overcome your addiction but ultimately your desire to break free, faith in God who will come to know my story and conviction of His power will save you. It’s a spiris that the choices they make and itual battle”
the people they associate with will either build or destroy them. Choose wisely.” “To those people who are caught up in substance-abuse and addiction; look to God for help. Rehabilitation and medication will help you to overcome your addiction but ultimately your desire to break free, faith in God and conviction of His power will save you. It’s a spiritual battle”
“‘Prison has taught me many lessons and I have come to realise that I need to share those lessons with other people so that they don’t make the same mistakes I made. We all need each other to implement change in our communities and society at large.” Nation is working on a book at the moment entitled ‘Broken Environment’ .In his book he writes about the negative influences that young people face as a direct consequence of the environment in which they grow up, and how they can overcome. When he completes his sentence next year, he wants to utilise the skills and knowledge that he has attained through study by starting a business but above that he wishes to make good use of the life lessons he’s learnt by motivating and offering guidance to the youth of South Africa.
24
A Publication of Gospel Commission
Hurt and Abused but not Destroyed (*Names of persons changed as per contributor’s request)
“I continuously spoke to God, but my prayers were angry. I would shout at Him and ask why He had allowed the attack.” On the 22nd of March, 1992, during an evening vespers service at Camp Meeting, I started to feel a very severe headache. I stood up to go outside. A young man, Sipho, who had noticed me leaving, followed me to ask if I was ok. I told him that I wasn’t feeling well and wanted to go to the camp-site to get some sleep. He offered to escort me since it was getting dark. The camp site wasn’t too far away from the worship venue, and apart from the faint sound of the preacher speaking at the meeting and voices from the camp site that were heading to, the entire area was pleasantly serene.
A Publication of Gospel Commission
Walking along the road that led to the camp site entrance, however, we noticed a group of guys walking towards us on the other side. When a car drove past, briefly shedding light on them, I noticed that some of them were carrying knives. My heart skipped several beats. There were about seven of them. Sipho whispered that we should not draw unnecessary attention to ourselves by panicking and we carried on walking quietly. To our horror, the men crossed over and confronted us, hurling insults and wielding their weapons in the air. They chased Sipho away, and pulled me into the bush. Sipho ran as fast as he could to get help. I was tied up and assaulted. I do not recall how long it was before Sipho returned with help, but when they did find me I was alone in the bush. Gagged, beaten up and raped. I was taken to hospital and had a police case opened. A case which did me no justice. Even though a suspect was caught, the matter simply died off after a while, without any arrests being made. It is difficult to describe the emotional tumult that I experienced during and after the incident. I cannot retell with ease. I became very withdrawn, not wanting to be around people, especially men. I hated the fact that church members knew what had happened to me and that they were always coming to see me and ask if I was ok. Of course I wasn’t ok. I was at my lowest and weakest point. I continuously spoke to God, but my prayers were angry. I would shout at Him and ask why He had allowed the attack. The counseling sessions that were arranged for me through the hospital were not really helpful, but I soon found a three month counseling program which benefited me more. My counselor was not overly pitiful towards me, his focus was on helping me find strength and courage to carry on with life.
What also helped was that the program offered an opportunity to interact with other victims of abuse so I didn’t feel that I was alone in my suffering. My conversations with God did not cease. After a while, rather than ask why this and why me, I was able to pray that God would help me to overcome my pain, and help others, and with time He answered me. I realised that I could have easily been killed on that day in 1992; but that through God’s mercy I was alive and I was being transformed from a victim to a survivor, and not just a survivor but one who was strong enough to use her experience to encourage and motivate others. I have been involved for a while in various community projects in Soweto, assisting victims of abuse. God helped me to forgive and move on with my life. I am now married with three children. He washed me and made me whole again, and He can do the same for other people who have suffered abuse and humiliation. That is the message that God has given me to share.
Time did not allow us to gather the specific details of the community projects that Katlego is involved in, but she did share a few tips which she believes are helpful in finding healing from abuse. 1- Have a close relationship with God 2- Engage in positive-self-talk all the time. Tell yourself that you are a child of The Most High. 3- Let go and let God-trust God to carry you through your situation and tragedy 4- Seek professional help and support 5- Live your life in a way that is admirable and can be of service to others
A Publication of Gospel Commission
Becoming a Contagious Adventist Seminar 2013
Nonhlanhla Mlalazi
On
the evening of Wednesday the 25th of September 2013, I made my way to the Danie Theunissen Hall at the Riverside Church. This evening marked the beginning of the long awaited “Becoming a Contagious Adventist” Preseminar event, which would culminate with the main seminar over the weekend. Pastor Nhlanhla Buthelezi, then a 3rd year Theology Student at Helderberg College blew our minds as he thoroughly unpacked the Gospel Commission as given by Jesus Christ in Matthew 28. “The Mission” which was the subject matter being considered, was clearly expounded. The 50+ attendees physically present (and a few viewing from our live streaming) were challenged to the recognition that the Gospel is so powerful, it should change our thoughts, our lives, our characters and of those to whom we are presenting it. The following were identified as the characteristics of a contagious Adventist: • A Contagious Adventist is an obedient disciple. Pastor Nkosi, who was the main speaker for the seminar from Friday, also corroborated this fact and highlighted that we often make the mistake of encouraging people to comply rather than obey. Obedience is different from compliance because it involves the surrender of one’s heart to Jesus • A Contagious Adventist is one who believes in the second coming of Jesus Christ • A Contagious Adventist is one who believes that even though things may die, death is not ultimate The presentation of the second night of the pre-seminar event was an emphasis that the church of God would endure despite the challenges it was facing from within and without. Members were encouraged to study the Church Heritage for themselves and to understand where This Church, the Seventh-day Adventist Church is coming from and where it is going and to gain an appreciation of what the church has survived; persecution of the dark ages, the first and second World Wars, and Apartheid. If the church has survived all this, then it will surely endure what is happening now and the difficulties that lie ahead.
i
A Publication of Gospel Commission
I
was reminded of these words penned so long ago by the messenger of the Lord, “During ages of spiritual darkness the church of God has been as a city set on a hill. From age to age, through successive generations, the pure doctrines of heaven have been unfolding within its borders. Enfeebled and defective as it may appear, the church is the one object upon which God bestows in a special sense His supreme regard. It is the theater of His grace, in which He delights to reveal His power to transform hearts.[AA Chapter 1] This concept was supported by Pastor Thula Nkosi who also mentioned that discipleship cannot occur outside the church because God believes in church driven mission. That is why every church should be a training ground for missionaries, or contagious adventists. One of the key areas of Contagious Adventism mentioned by Pastor Thula Nkosi is the importance of Bible study and knowledge of the scriptures. The church is under serious attack from all over, including from within. The realisation was quite frightening to me, however, Nkosi also reminded us that the devil never attacks anything that is not of value. We were reminded again that human beings are born for mission, not for jobs. When it comes to career choices, young people are to ask themselves how their
27
choice of career would benefit the kingdom of God. Although our education may be important, our qualifications should be subjected to our giftedness, because education is degradable, but the spiritual gifts are not. Finally, to illustrate the importance of Contagion, it was mentioned that 70% of people in the church come in because they know somebody. That is why the same percentage of those who leave, do so not because they no longer believe in the doctrines of the church but because they have been hurt. How crucial it is therefore for disciples to practice thought and speech management to avoid hurting others out of the church . And to those who may be new to the faith, you need to move beyond the people who have brought you to Christ and find The Man who sent them to collect you. The “Becoming a Contagious Adventist” Seminar drew at least 180 members from various Seventh-day Adventist Churches in the Cape Peninsula as well as from other regions in the country. Some non-Adventists attended the Sabbath Service as well. The presence of the Holy Spirit could be felt through the messages that were preached with power and the responses received from the various attendees confirmed that through the seminar, they were better equipped for mission and service. We can only thank God.
The Gospel Driven Life Seminar
“The term “gospel,” is derived from Greek. It means “good news.” A gospel-driven life is a Christ-centred life, one in which mission is an anthem. It is a life committed to loving where there is hating; healing where there is hurting; blessing where there is cursing; giving where there is greed; being ready to be the change we expect others to display.” Ps Thula Nkosi
A Publication of Gospel Commission
29
Upcoming events Building on the success of The Contagious Adventist Seminar 2013, plans are well underway in organizing The Gospel Driven Life Seminar to be held from Wednesday, September 24th to Saturday September 27th 2014 (Evening on weekdays and the whole day on Sabbath). The seminar will be held at the University of Johannesburg. The main speaker will be Pastor Thula Nkosi.
Ps Nhlanhla Buthelezi & Ps Thula Nkosi
We will learn how we should re-order our lives, so that the mandate of taking the whole Gospel to the whole world permeates every facet of our lives – so that the Gospel is the principal energizing and driving force for living the whole Christian life.
30
A Publication of Gospel Commission
The ospel of Health
G
Dr George Sedupane
I want to begin by thanking God for breathing His Spirit into Gospel Commission for the realization of His ideas. I have been requested to contribute a regular feature focusing on health issues with reference to The Commission. If we are going to fulfil The Commission we will obviously need to do what Jesus did – Preach, Teach and Heal.Mat 4:23 You will agree with me that we are very comfortable with preaching and teaching and are well known for it, but what about healing? That presents a challenge, not just doing it but our understanding of it. Today I would like us to explore how various trends in the secular health system may have influenced how we carry out the ‘healing’ aspect of the gospel commission. “It is the work of true education …to train the youth to be thinkers, and not mere reflectors of other men’s thought.” Education 17 Therefore the intention is not to cast contempt on the healthcare system which has contributed to the wellbeing of society. However anything secular (beneficial though it may be) needs to be taken with a pinch of salt as it may eclipse Christ’s method of bringing true and lasting restoration. As a start and to set a foundation, let us do a quick comparison between secular health system and Christ’s.
There are many ways of practicing the healing art; but there is only one way that Heaven approves.” CD 301 Our challenge is to study, know and practice this way as we carry forward God’s commission. A good place to start is the gospels of Luke, Mark, Matthew and John, and the book Ministry of Healing.
Secular Health System Source of healing
Practitioner – “My first call was to my physician”
Christ’s Health System God – “I am the Lord that healeth thee” Ex 15:26
View of the human nature Humans are biological organisms with advanced minds affected by natural laws only.
Humans are moral beings, and their wellbeing is dependent on their response to the moral law and other laws.
Disease is a collection of signs and View of disease and health symptoms. If the symptoms are removed and clinical test results are within desired parameters, then you are given a clean bill of health.
“Disease is an effort of nature to free the system from conditions that result from a violation of the laws of health. In case of sickness, the cause should be ascertained.” MH127
View of the body
The patient’s role
The practitioners role
Machine – a belief that the body is just like a machine and its parts can be replaced, or fixed when broken.
Organic – we have one lease of life, and every violation of natural law depletes our vital force (you cannot change batteries or recharge)
Passive – mere recipients given things to swallow and who are done things to, without any expectation to understand their own bodies, their functions and how to maintain or treat them.
Active – God holds us personally responsible for the things done in our bodies as stewards. We must know physiology, pathology and treatment of disease.
An expert on disease and medicines, and it is his or her responsibility to make us well when we are sick.
The true physician is an educator. He recognizes his responsibility, not only to the sick who are under his direct care, but also to the community in which he lives. He stands as a guardian of both physical and moral health. It is his endeavour not only to teach right methods for the treatment of the sick, but to encourage right habits of living, and to spread a knowledge of right principles. MH 125
PROMOTION
A Publication of Gospel Commission
33
Are you wondering what to do or where to during your autumn holidays. Why don’t you take your taste-buds for an Edenic adventure while acquiring culinary skills that could make you a blessing to your friend and family. At the end of April and the beginning of May you can get the opportunity of attending a Vegetarian Cooking School sponsored by Radiant Harvest and organised by Dr George Sedupane. The Objectives By the end of this course you should be able to: • Design a weekly menu plan using plant based foods • Make a variety of tasty and energetic breakfasts • Make a variety of lunch main dishes as well deserts • Make sauces, dips, jams and pastes • Bake a descent loaf of bread and crackers • Prepare food that is both delicious and nutritious • Prepare foods that can prevent and treat diabetes, high blood pressure and obesity, etc The Cooking Instructor Mrs Jola Mochoge attended Oakwood University before studying and working at Wildwood Lifetsyle Center and Hospital. Since her training she has been teaching and training on health related issues for the past 14 years in various places around the world but especially in South Africa. She has a good sense of humour and is really fun to be with in the kitchen with. Teaching and Learning Activities Theoretical instruction on nutrition and culinary arts Practical cooking sessions Eating what has been prepared (best part ) Contextualized cookbook (South African Foods + International Cuisine)
Dates 27th, 28th April & 1st,4th May 2014 Four day course, different focus per day. Time 09H00 to 14H00 Venue De La Haye, Bellville Course Fee R950 (all inclusive) Deposit R350 to book your place before the end of February. Don’t put it off. Space limited. Pay the rest before the end of March. Contact Dr George Sedupane Email: sedupane@live.com Cell: 072 103 6465
34
A Publication of Gospel Commission
I
came to know about the Seventh-day Adventist Church through my older sister. She had been converted through Campus Ministry in her days as a student. When I would visit her in Cape Town, I would go with her to church on the Sabbath. We were not raised attending church consistently; I was in fact, a bit of a skeptic when it came to anything related to the spiritual world. However, my experiences when visiting this church were different; there was something appealing to me about the SDA church. I appreciated the experience of going to church where I could learn from the Bible and be free to ask. I would go home having gained some Biblical knowledge and knowing more about God. That’s what got me hooked. The skeptic was becoming a believer. I eventually made the decision that when I left home for varsity I would become a Seventh-day Adventist. The year that I was to go to varsity it seemed as if I was destined for Johannesburg but praise God I ended up in Cape Town, the same city as my sister and that made sticking to my decision easier. I would spend my weekends at her house, which meant I would spend Saturday at church. I eventually joined SDASM and started worshiping with them full time. It was not smooth sailing; I had to go home during vacations and face opposition to my decision. That’s something baptismal class doesn’t prepare you for; however, God gave me the strength to not give up. I pressed forward and the SDA church has become an immovable part of my life. I was baptised in 2009. That was the launch pad of my love relationship with Jesus Christ. – Funeka Qwaqwa
The Contagion Effect… Having grown up in a Christian environment where Christian values and ethics were taught, my
life was always guided and directed by the word of God. However-much that was the case, a lot of things were done in ignorance ‘’because that’s what other Christians do’’ in the congregations I attended. Not much emphasis was placed on bible reading or study, neither evangelism, discipleship, health message, prayer nor witnessing. I did not understand what it meant that Christ died for me on the cross that I might be saved, neither did I understand what His Grace meant to me personally and how the law of God fit into my life. I was oblivious of much that was of importance to my Christian experience and crucial to my salvation. Hence the experience I had surely lacked much within it yet I did not realise it for quite some time.
It was not until I first visited the Adventist church that I then realised how much I lacked in my own personal Christian experience and relationship with Christ. I had accompanied my step brother to the Adventist church in the year 2000 on one particular Sabbath which would then be the turning point of my relationship with Christ. Seeing how the Adventist people placed much importance on bible study, high standards of Christian living, health, exercise, prayer and so much more, there was left in me the desire to want to know more about ‘these’ people. As I came back the following Sabbath, and the next, now learning the deeper truths, from time to time, from the bible; the sanctuary message, the Sabbath and more, I truly believed that the Adventists lived the bible message. I personally searched from the bible most of the things said. I realised theirs was not a form of worship but genuine living after the commandments of God. Needless to mention the way prophecies from the bible where interpreted and seeing how the Adventist church fit into being the remnant church of God. Hence with the passage of time, I enrolled into the baptismal class and after a year I got baptised. With time the relationships I had with fellow friends from church helped me find my footing into Adventism. We went for camps together, witnessed together and studied the bible together. All this helped me grow into knowing Christ, learning and being encouraged by fellow Adventists who’d been in the faith for longer than I. As I grew, duties and responsibilities were later given me and I became Youth Director, Personal Ministries Director and held other various roles in the church. To this day, I believe the Lord led me into His church that I may be an instrument fit for his purposes in spreading the gospel message to the rest of the world and I truly thank Him for that. -Adolf Chitauro
36 32
Rwandan and Burundian Seventh Da 1. Introduction We are a group of Seventh Day Adventists coming from The Great Lakes region; which is Rwanda and Burundi. The group was started in 2009 by people who were worshiping at Retreat SDA church in Cape Town, and felt a need to incorporate home languages into their worship services in order to accommodate new-comers and elderly people who were struggling with the English language and not enjoying a full worship experience. We started off opening the Sabbath together every Friday, as it was our custom back home. We would meet at each others homes and invite any one else who was interested to join us in prayer meetings. As the group grew bigger, space became a problem. Hence, we approached the Retreat SDA church leadership asking if we could use the church building on Friday evenings since it was not in use at those times. The church accepted our request and since then we have been meeting regularly in the church to open the Sabbath and host other evangelical initiatives, including music programs, outreach and bible studies. Other Adventist immigrants from different corners of Cape Town have also followed suit, and been motivated to start other congregations in their areas. There are two additional groups that meet every Friday evening for Sabbath-opening programs. One meets in Parow and the other in Esteriver. 2. Mission Our mission is to use our spiritual gifts in evangelism to immigrant communities in Cape Town. We want to tell the world about Jesus Christ who came on earth and died for our sins, rose after three days, went to heaven, and is coming again to take those who believe in Him (John 3: 16). 3. What kind of people do we have a deep burden for? South Africa due to its economic position, political stability, and accessibility compared to other migration destinations (Europe and United States of America); has become a home to many migrants, from the African continent. Within these communities, there is a considerable number of Seventh Day Adventists who are scattered in the big cities of this country. We have identified the following groups that we need to reach out to:
A Publication of Gospel Commission
37
ay Adventist Ministry in Cape Town - - - -
Those who are not yet fully-fledged members but regularly attend church services Those who used to attend church but have stopped for various reasons None- Adventist who need to hear the good news of Jesus Christ Our youth and children.
4. Outreach programs In order to reach out to these people we use different outreach tools including prayer meetings, combined meetings, music programs, visitation, and helping people in need. a. Prayer meetings: As mentioned above, regular Friday evening services are held in Retreat, Parow and Esteriver. b. Music programs: There is a lot of singing talent in our congregations and music is a great way to engage everyone, including visitors. Everyone, whther young or old, has the opportunity to praise and worship in their language, whether it is within the congregation or a special item of music. c. Combined meetings A combined meeting is a full Sabbath program from Saturday morning to late afternoon. We conduct these programs in our mother tongue, provide interpretors where necessary. The first combine meeting that we held was on the 11th May, 2013 at Kuilsriver SDA church. The program started 9:15 ended at 16: 30. Even though it was a long day, it was unforgettable because it brought back memories of our Sabbath experiences back home. Because of the success of that Sabbath program, and with the request of our members, we organized more combined meetings of that kind. One on the 7th September, 2013, and the last meeting for the year on the 28th December, 2013. The benefits of these combined meetings are many and below are some of them; - Spiritual benefits: God ended his work and rested on the Sabbath. He blessed and sanctified it (Genesis 2: 2-3). Coming to worship our God on His day, we get many blessings as it is promised in the Bible.
32
38
-
A Publication of Gospel Commission
A platform for development and use of talents
The majority in our group are SDA members from our home countries and were active in our local churches back home. These meetings give us an opportunity to use our talents which we struggle to do in the local churches due to language barriers. In these meetings we are also able to identify and develop new talents. - Fellowship and Friendship: The combined meetings give us an opportunity to meet for God’s cause, create new friendships and even fortify old ones. We have seen many families unified, and people who were not friends put their difference away and serve God. - Holiday time: Immigrants go through challenges in terms of work, education, family problems, accommodation, visa-related issues, social exclusion in certain parts of the city. Coming to these meetings enables them to spend time out of their regular environments and forget those problems for a while. They get also encouragement from others who went through the same challenges. 5. Other highlights from 2013 a. Celebration of diversity program: On 12 October 2013 we had an opportunity to participate in the celebration of diversity program at Kuilsriver church. On that day the Rwandan and Burundian group was given a chance to present their activities to the church. On that day, Sabbath School, Divine Service and special songs were prepared by our group. b. Lay evangelism training: this took place at Helderberg college on the 2nd of November 2013. The objectives of this Seminar were to equip the group with the skills needed in evangelism ministry. The program was sponsored by the Sabbath School department of the All Nations Church and facilitated by Pastor Ndabezinhle Mvelase and Prof. Pastor Chalice c. Baptism: We had two baptismal events; one in November at Kuilsriver church and the other in December at Retreat Church. Ten people were baptised. 6. Conclusion All these achievements were not of our own might. God in his miraculous way accomplished his work through us and the leadership of our local churches. This year was successful because we had a full support of the Retreat and Kuilsriver SDA church. They have provided support to us by way of literature, worship venues, logistics, sound equipment projectors and other material, guidance and moral support. May God Almighty bless and reward them. To our members, the 2013 was the year for testing, planning, learning, organising, and reorganising. We need to commit ourselves to the Great Commission so that 2014 will be a year of soul winning for our Lord Jesus Christ. We cannot do it by our own strength and intellectual capacity. We need to rely on God’s promises as recorded in Mathew (28: 16-20): God commands us to “go’’ into all nations to preach the good news, and He promised to be with us always. But there is another verb; another imperative that we do well to hear, and it is one that actually precedes the command to “go”. “Come to Me, all you who labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest,” Jesus says in Matt. 11:28.
A Publication of Gospel Commission
39 “Before we pick up the work of disciples, we must have entered into a personal relationship with the Lord of disciples. If we move out into mission without the sustaining life-giving power promised by Jesus and found among His people, we are moving in our own strength and will soon become exhausted and discouraged. Like the disciples that Jesus sent out two by two (Luke 10:1, 2), we are intended to move in a blessed circle of mission and replenishment that keeps the church healthy and energized for its task� (The Adventist World, October, 2012). Denys Uwimpuhwe Coordinator Rwandan and Burundian Seventh Day Adventist community of Cape Town Email: uwimpuhwedenys@gmail.com Cell phone: 0738503239
40
Chains of Love -Mkhonzeni Sibanda
Bound up, chained down and unable to move. Freedom unknown and I know not where to turn. Chains on my hands and feet, I seem not to be able to break. Dear master sin, do please I beg, give me a break. Nowhere to turn, trouble and pain is what I have earned. But hold on, sweet relief I see, this will come to an end... Sometime last year I read a horrifying story of a young black American male who had just murdered his daughter and turned the gun on himself. Apparently, before doing this horrific act, the man wrote on his Facebook profile “I told u I can’t live without u lol u thought I was joking now me n Mia out this *expletive*”. This man was “in love” with his ex-girlfriend (I put quotes because I do not fully agree with that type of ‘being in love’ but we will discuss that on another day, so back to the story). He was so “in love” with her to such a point that he felt the only way to numb the pain and perhaps get her back for leaving him was to murder his daughter and them commit suicide, fortunate part is he failed on the suicide attempt. The question then comes, is this what comes to our minds when we hear the words “chains of love”? Do we picture such a scenario or something milder or worse? On speaking to a couple of people and asking them what the words “chains of love” meant to them, most indicated that the words gave them an idea of obsession, being in love with someone and being unable to move on with your life. All the answers reflected a situation that was not pretty at all, a situation in which love is cruel and not allow them freedom. Then I asked myself, how can love be cruel? How can love enslave someone and they not be able to break loose from a horrible situation? The good thing is that I found my answer to all these questions, love is not cruel nor does it hold you out of your will, but love does enslave and not in the way that most of us interpret that word to mean. Please, allow me to explain. horrible
A Publication of Gospel Commission
In Romans 6: 17-18 (ESV), Paul says “But thanks to God, that you who were once slaves of sin have become obedient from the heart to the standard of teaching to which you were committed, and, having been set free from sin, have become slaves of righteousness.” It’s interesting to see how Paul puts things here, that if you were in sin you served it as a slave, meaning that one sins as one who is entirely dominated or as some would say ‘do it religiously’. He then implies that with the same streak, we should be slaves of righteousness, meaning that we should then whole-heartedly do what is right with extreme care and great effort. What I love more about how Paul puts things here is that he then goes on in verse 19 (ESV) and says, “I am speaking in human terms, because of your natural limitations..”. In that same verse he further elaborates on what is mentioned above, that as we served sin slavishly we should serve Christ in the same manner. The analogy brought up by Paul though seemingly weird is true, and in that truth we serve as free slaves only bound by the chains of love. Stealing from the words of Paul, allow me to speak to you in human terms. I know that within these chains of love, within these chains of servitude lies great peace. Bound up in these chains and seemingly restricted as most would say, “you guys do not drink alcohol, you say no premarital sex and SDAs do not eat pork” they say, these they all cite as restrictions. In these chains (or if you may, restrictions) we do not find pain, horror and imprisonment but we find peace and life, because these chains are our strength. These are none greater than the maker, as He, did not put these chains on us as suffering but as freedom. O great chains of love from within which we find freedom. What great irony the Lord displays in calling us to be slaves and be bound together with His chains of love, for these are the chains that bring life, life eternal. ...bound up, to the outside world hopeless But I, I would seek and want nothing less. Loosed from the chains I once bound, those of sin, I am now bound in slavery of righteousness and good. I know not any longer sin, like one pure it seems in it I have never been. Now bound up in shackles of freedom, peace and life My every word and deed is now pure indeed. I feel a great relief within, because now I live. Yes, now I live in the chains of love.
41
A Publication of Gospel Commission