Penwell Dlamini
Penwell Dlamini
The Reformed Church in Tshiawelo yesterday celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special service at the Dlamini Multi Purpose Hall in Soweto.
About 400 congregants from all the branches in Gauteng showed up to celebrate a milestone of four decades of church growth.
The Reformed Church was formed by missionaries in 1968 in Tshiawelo from the main structure Reformed Church in South Africa.
Today the church has branches in Pretoria, Central Johannesburg, Midrand and Protea Glen.
Hymns of celebration dominated the proceedings as congregants praised God.
Speaker of the day Reverend Thiofhitshithu Rabali likened the Tshiawelo branch to a seed that was planted and is now bearing fruit.
"Most of the things God does always start small or in seed form but grow and make a change in the history of mankind," he said.
Rabali illustrated his point by referring to Jesus starting his ministry with just a few disciples but finally affecting the whole world.
"The six branches should also become seeds that through faith, prayer and Bible teaching can grow and affect the whole world," Rabali said.
Today the Reformed Church has more than 1000 members in Gauteng.
"Our success can be attributed to our vision to preach the gospel with an outside focus - being relevant to the needs of the community," said Reverend Liphadzi Tshililo.
He said one of the church's strategies was to reach out to young people through programmes such as the Reformed Youth Fellowship.
This is a student movement already active at Wits University, Vaal University of Technology and Medunsa - the Medical University of Southern Africa.
Reformed Church is now 40 years old
Penwell Dlamini
Penwell Dlamini
The Reformed Church in Tshiawelo yesterday celebrated its 40th anniversary with a special service at the Dlamini Multi Purpose Hall in Soweto.
About 400 congregants from all the branches in Gauteng showed up to celebrate a milestone of four decades of church growth.
The Reformed Church was formed by missionaries in 1968 in Tshiawelo from the main structure Reformed Church in South Africa.
Today the church has branches in Pretoria, Central Johannesburg, Midrand and Protea Glen.
Hymns of celebration dominated the proceedings as congregants praised God.
Speaker of the day Reverend Thiofhitshithu Rabali likened the Tshiawelo branch to a seed that was planted and is now bearing fruit.
"Most of the things God does always start small or in seed form but grow and make a change in the history of mankind," he said.
Rabali illustrated his point by referring to Jesus starting his ministry with just a few disciples but finally affecting the whole world.
"The six branches should also become seeds that through faith, prayer and Bible teaching can grow and affect the whole world," Rabali said.
Today the Reformed Church has more than 1000 members in Gauteng.
"Our success can be attributed to our vision to preach the gospel with an outside focus - being relevant to the needs of the community," said Reverend Liphadzi Tshililo.
He said one of the church's strategies was to reach out to young people through programmes such as the Reformed Youth Fellowship.
This is a student movement already active at Wits University, Vaal University of Technology and Medunsa - the Medical University of Southern Africa.
Would you like to comment on this article?
Register (it's quick and free) or sign in now.
Please read our Comment Policy before commenting.
Trending
Latest Videos