MTHATHA, South Africa (Mennonite Mission Network) — There is nothing I can put on the table to explain what caused God to call me, other than the favor of God. “By the grace of God, I am what I am …” (1 Corinthians 15:10).
I am a born-again believer; I committed my life to Jesus at the age of 11 years. Later, when I was studying for my bachelor’s degree in theology, I needed to drop out in my second year because of lack of funds. But I was able to obtain diplomas through correspondence courses in theology from Hebron Theological School, and in church leadership from Nehemiah Bible Institute. In 1988, I was ordained as a pastor, and in 1997, I established Healing Fountain Church where I was ordained as a bishop.
In 2008, I met Anna and Joe Sawatzky when I became a serious and committed student at Bethany Bible School. From them, I learned a lot about how to be a follower of Christ and to be a good steward. My life was completely changed by their teaching. Sometimes, I assisted the Sawatzkys with translation of the courses.
Last year, Joe made an announcement at Bethany Bible School that they would be leaving South Africa in 2014. We started praying that God would choose someone to continue the ministry of leading Bethany. In August 2013, I was informed that that person was me.
On Sept. 9, 2013, Joe started to train me and prepare me every week until March 2014. Each week, we spent four hours together. Sometimes, Anna and Joe traveled the 70 kilometers to visit us in our house and to pray for me and my wife, Phumeza. Sometimes, they visited our church and shared the teachings of Christ. Sometimes, Joe taught over the telephone.
On Feb. 15, 2014, I was commissioned before the student body to take on this task.
My goal for this first year is to put my work in order. I already have a line-up of people to teach this year, including Brother Andrew Suderman. [Andrew and his family serve in South Africa, jointly appointed by Mennonite Mission Network and Mennonite Church Canada Witness.] The executive, disciplinary, and catering committees are in place. I continue to grow into my administrative responsibilities by studying computer and office administration.
I am also motivating the Bethany student body to have confidence in themselves. I believe that motivation is the fuel necessary to keep the human engine running. I know that, together, we are capable of taking the school to a higher level. I encourage them by saying that Bethany belongs to every one of us. I tell them that Bethany’s rise or fall is in their hands. And I encourage everyone “to work (and study) with all their heart” (Nehemiah 4:6).
I believe that good leadership gives people confidence in a leader, but a great leader also gives people confidence in themselves. That’s what I want to do.
Yet another goal for this year is to open a Bethany Bible School branch in another town. I hope to open a new branch each year to strengthen our main branch in Mthatha. My hope is that future branches will support Bethany financially and that soon there will be no need to ask for funds from North America. When I shared this vision, it was applauded by every student.
Pray for unity and that the peace of Christ rules our hearts, that we may love one another and that the grace of God may abound to us.
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For immediate release
Mennonite Mission Network, the mission agency of Mennonite Church USA, leads, mobilizes and equips the church to participate in holistic witness to Jesus Christ in a broken world. Media may contact news@mennonitemission.net.
