The Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana – general information.
From being a church within the Bakgatla tribe, the Dutch Reformed mission has since blossomed into a church within the entire Botswana, with congregations from as far South as Lobatse and as far North as Makaleng (Francistown) and Maun. The expansion gained momentum from the independence of Botswana in 1966, when the Mission Church enjoyed the status of a Circuit or Mochudi, which soon conceived the idea of establishing an autonomous Church in Botswana with a view to intensify evangelisation, and start theological training for Batswana in Botswana, and started negotiations with the mother Church in South Africa.
At this time there were also a few branches of the Dutch Reformed Family, being Lobatse and Ghanzi. After successful negotiations, with the aid of the Liaison Committee for Dutch Reformed Churches in Botswana over a period of some years, the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana was established as a fully autonomous Church on the 20th November 1979 A.D. at Mochudi.
The church currently consists out of two circuits, being the Mochudi and Sikwane Circuit. The congregations of Mochudi Bogare (central), Mochudi Bophirima (Mochudi East), Phaapane, Selebi Phikwe and Makaleng are part of the Mochudi Circuit, whilst the Sikwane Circuit consists of Sikwane, Mochudi-West, Gaborone, Tlokweng, Lobatse, Kgalagadi, Ghanzi and Maun.
The Congregations of Maun, Phaapaane and Tlokweng are the youngest congregations in the church. The Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana also liaises with the Synod, Circuits and congregations of the Dutch Reformed Church in Northern Cape.
The Synod also comprises out of several cultural groups, being Batswana, Coloured people and Afrikaners, as well as immigrants from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia and Malawi, etc. The current membership of the church is around 11 000 people, with 9 ordained pastors. We also have 4 propponents, and several students training at Kgolagano College in Gaborone.
Tuesday, June 17, 2008
A CENTURY OF GRACE 1887-1987
A CENTURY OF GRACE FOR THE
DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH
IN BOTSWANA – 1887-1987
By W.L. Maree
A hundred years is only a brief period in the eyes of God, but in human terms it overs several generations. Therefore the centenary of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana (1877-1977) gives reason for thanksgiving and rejoicing, espeially in view of the close relationship between the church and the Bakgatla people throughout this period.
It can be claimed that the Bakgatla people brought their church with them when they moved from Saulspoort to Mochudi in 1870, although seven more years were to pass before the first permanent missionary settled at Mochudi in 1877.
The history of this mission goes back to the year 1857, when the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk) decided to establish a “foreign mission” somewhere beyond the borders of the Cape Colony. In those days the church still had to recruit most of its ministers, missionaries and :eachers from overseas. Accordingly the Rev. Alexander MacKidd of Scotland and :he Rev. Henri Gonin of Switzerland were found for the proposed new venture.
Mr. MacKidd established a mission station in the Soutpansberg district in the Northern Transvaal in 1863. The following year Mr. Gonin settled near Saulspoort in the Western Transvaal, where he preached the Gospel to the Bakgatla people and baptised the first converts in 1866. At the request of Chief Kgamanyane of the Bakgatla ba ga Kgatela, the Gonin family soon moved to the main village at Saulspoort.
EXODUS
In 1870, however, Chief Kgamanyane left the Transvaal with the majority of his subjects and eventually established a new village at Mochudi on the banks of the Notwane River. Mr. Gonin first considered following the Chief to Mochudi, but after decided to continue his ministry among the remaining people at Saulspoort.
In 1874 Mochudi was visited by a young missionary, the Rev. Pieter Brink, who had been working with Mr. Gonin. In the same year Chief Kgamanyane died and was succeeded by his son Linchwe, who gave Mr. Brink permission to settle at Mochudi. In May 1877 the missionary and his wife moved to Mochudi and started building a simple church and school. He also ordered a small printing press to produce literature in the Setswana language. During the nine years of his ministry in this area he baptised 37 converts, including two brothers and an uncle of the chief.
More people moved westward from the Transvaal and established villages such as Malolwane, Sikwane, Modipane, Bokaa and Morwa. As early as 1882 Mr. Brink sent a teacher to Sikwane.
CHIEF’S CONVERSION
After Mr. Brink’s death in 1886 he was succeeded by the Rev. E.B. Beyer. Building on the foundations laid by his predecessor, Mr. Beyer saw the Spirit of God working miracles in the hearts of the people. The new church, which he built in 1890, was soon filled to overflowing. The schools were full of eager pupils and a special class was formed for young men who wished to become evangelists.
The most momentous and far-reaching event in the history of the tribe was the conversion of Chief Linchwe himself in 1892. After attending catechism for some time and secluding himself in the hills to search his own heart, he decided to commit his life to God and to join the church. Before his baptism and confirmation, he called a meeting of the tribe to inform his subjects of his decision. In a stirring address he expressed his intention to follow the precepts of the Christian faith and to rule as a Christian chief for the rest of his life. When some tribesmen complained that no one would make rain for them any more, the Chief replied that rain was sent by God and that he would pray to God for rain for all his people.
The Chief’s act made a tremendous impression on his people. Scores of them followed his example and the church grew spectacularly. Chief Linchwe proclaimed strict laws in accordance with his Christian convictions. Sunday observance was enforced and several heathen customs were abolished. No other denomination was allowed to establish a mission station in the area, and for all practical purposes the Dutch Reformed Church became the national church of the Bakgatla people.
Before Mr. Beyer’s departure in 1894, the baptised members at Mochudi had increased to 411, while four schools were attended by 300 children and 300 adults. Church services were attended by up to 1500 people at a time. A church was also built at Sikwane, where the communicant members increased to 230 and the scholars to 240. Evangelists were stationed at several villages, such as Leoke Mann at Sikwane, Thomas Phini at Malolwane and Abel Ratladi at Morwa.
The Chief’s brothers, Segale and Ramono, were as enthusiastic as the Chief himself in promoting the Christian faith and the welfare of the tribe. Chief Linchwe proved to be a great and wise leader, revered by his people and held in high esteem by all.
CONSTANT GROWTH
In 1896 an eager young missionary, the Rev. Willie Neethling, arrived at Mochudi. His brief ministry was brought to a tragic end the next year, when the gable of the church collapsed on him during a freak storm. His last words, “God makes no mistakes”, are remembered and quoted at Mochudi to this day. He was the first of several mission workers to be buried at Mochudi, among the people whom he had come to serve in the name of God.
The Rev. Pieter Stofberg, who succeeded the Rev. Neethling, was one of the most gifted and capable missionaries ever sent out by the Dutch Reformed Church. His wife died soon after his arrival, but for several years he continued preaching the Gospel, organising the work on a sound basis, teaching the large numbers of catechumens, training evangelists and giving medical assistance. Meanwhile, Western civilisation and influence became more marked, especially when telephone and railway lines to Rhodesia were laid through this area and Bechuanaland became a British Protectorate with the boundaries of the tribal districts defined.
The missionary work at Mochudi was interrupted by the Anglo-Boer War, but was resumed afterwards with renewed vigour. The highlight of the Post-war decade was the building of the large church in 1903 and 1904. The Chief himself took the lead and laid the foundation stone for the edifice which is still standing today.
By 1905 more than a thousand Bakgatla children were attending various mission schools — more than 600 in Mochudi and the rest in other villages. Mr. Stofberg’s death in 1907 was a great loss to the church. His memory is perpetuated in the Stotberg Memorial School for ministers, evangelists and teachers which was established in South Africa the year after his death.
MANY CHANGES
The work was continued by missionaries such as Messrs. D.J. Joubert, J.C. Knobel, C.H. Murray and H.R. Barrish; teachers like Messrs. W.D. Hibbert and R.S. Steerisma; and devoted women like Misses Mary Murray, Miemie Neethling, Borne Retief, Agnes Krynauw and many others. The most remarkable of these ladies was the legendary Miss Retief, who worked at Mochudi for 42 years, from 1887 to 1929. She devoted the greatest part of her life to the Bakgatla people, especially the women. Occasionally, when no male missionaries were available, she carried the responsibility alone.
Even more important than the constant supply of ministers and mission workers
from South Africa, was the fact that Bakgatla men and women came forward in increasing numbers to preach the Gospel and teach the children. The pioneer evangelist, Leoke Mann, died at the turn of the century, but the work was continued by
devoted evangelists such as Hendrik Molefi, Silas Matihaga, Levi Gare, Simon Kwa
pa, Nicodemus Molantwa, Aaron Ratsatsi, Henoke Sefakwe and Samuel Tihagwane. Mention must also be made of the large number of teachers, even from the
royal family.
The Rev. Thomas Phiri, who had been serving as an evangelist since 1893 and later completed his studies at the Mission Institute at Wellington, was ordained as a
minister in 1906. He will be remembered as the second African pastor ordained by
the D.R. Church and the first from the Bakgatla people. He lived at Mabalane
and preached in the villages near the Transvaal border.
Unfortunately the church did not continue growing and flourishing at the same
rate as during the first thirty years. To many people membership in the church be
came a custom or formality, rather than a matter of conviction, with the result that
church attendance dropped although the nominal membership increased. Furthermore, the work was hampered by a fast turnover of missionaries, interspersed
with long vacancies.
Meanwhile, Chief Linchwe suffered a stroke, which left him partially paralysed.
His second son, Isang, acted as Regent from 1921, as the eldest son had died a few
years earlier. Isang continued to act in this capacity after Linchwe’s death in 1924,
as the legal heir, Molefi, was still too young to assume the chieftainship.
CO-OPERATION
The arrival of the Rev. Johan Reyneke in 1923 heralded a new period of church
extension and fruitful co-operation between church and tribe to the advantage of
the people. Chief Isang showed a keen interest in education, as was proved by the building of a large new school on a hill overlooking the village. He also encouraged modern agricultural methods, combatted the abuse of liquor and insisted on Sunday observance, while certain tribal traditions were re-introduced in a Christianised form. In those days, communion services were attended by up to 700 communicants at a time. In 1929 Molefi was installed as Chief. After the departure of Mr. Reyneke in 1934, the church had to face the establishment of the Zion African Church and the Bakgatla Free Church — the latter led by the Rev. Phiri who left the D.R.C. in 1937. Rev. W.A. Krige, the Rev. Paul Murray and the Rev. J.C.N. Mentz, worked hard however, to recover what had been lost. By 1941 the official following of the church was as large as ever, with 2 640 communicants, 320 catechumens, about 700 Sunday school pupils and 1 500 scholars. The women’s association (Kopano) played an important part in the life of the church. The 75th anniversary of the mission was celebrated in 1952.
EAST AND WEST
The church in the Sikwane area had lost most of its members through the defection of the Rev. Phiri, but the veteran evangelist Samuel Tlhagwane (who is still living today at the ripe age of 105) patiently began assembling the remaining members. From 1945 permanent missionaries were stationed in that area again. Especially during the ministry of the Rev. J.L. Reyneke between 1948 and 1957, the dispersed members returned to the fold and the Bakgatla Free Church disappeared from the scene. A symbol of the rebirth of the congregation at Sikwane was the official opening of an impressive new church in 1960 by Chief Linchwe II, who had succeeded his father on the latter’s death in 1958.
When Mr. Mentz retired at Mochudi, the work was continued by the Rev. Andrew Barry, who had been assisting Mr. Mentz since 1955. He was joined by the Rev. R.J. Seoke in 1964. in 1972 Mr. Seoke exchanged Mochudi for Sikwane.
The church expanded in other directions as well. For instance, a church was built and a school opened at Mokgopeetsane, where a small Coloured community had settled in 1915. Regular services were conducted there by missionaries from Mochudi, leading to the establishment of an independent congregation in 1963.
In 1940 the Rev. J.M. Madisa was stationed at Morwa to preach the Gospel in the western and southern villages such as Morwa, Bokaa, Oodi, Modipane and Rasesa. He was succeeded by the Rev. J.M. Mmatladi and in 1964 a separate congregation, called Mochudi West (Mochudi-Bophirima), was formed there. The minister since 1966 is the Rev. S.T. Phiri.
Another new congregation, comprising the eastern part of Mochudi, was formed in 1969. This congregation is known as Mochudi East (Mochudi-Botihaba). A church was opened there in 1972 and four years later the Rev. M.S. Tshenye was inducted as its first minister.
INDEPENDENCE
In 1966 the Republic of Botswana was established, with Sir Seretse Khama as its first President. The capital of the new Republic was built at Gaborone, 42 kilometres south of Mochudi. As many D.R.C. members from the Kgatleng district settled at Gaborone, it soon became clear that the church would have to extend its activities to Gaborone as well.
This was an important milestone in the history of the church, as it marked the expansion of its work beyond the Kgatleng district to which it had been confined for 90 years. In 1967 the Rev. Eric CasaleggIo was transferred from Sikwane to Gaborone, where he immediately started collecting his flock and conducting services. An impressive new church, with an adjoining hail, was officially opened in November, 1969, in the presence of several local dignitaries. Mr. Casaleggio also served as chairman of the Botswana Bible Society, which opened the well-known Bible House in Gaborone in the same year.
When Mr. Casaleggio left in 1971, Mr. Barry was transferred to Gaborone, where he is still working today. He was succeeded by the Rev. Vincent Pienaar at Mochudi. The Mokgopeetsane congregation was incorporated in the Gaborone congregation in 1974.
The presbytery of Mochudi was formed in 1972 to co-ordinate the activities of the congregations in Botswana, their total communicant membership being between 3 000 and 4 000.
The church also extended its work to other people who had hitherto not been reached by the Gospel. The most important undertaking was the mission to the nomadic Basarwa people near the western border of Botswana. The pioneer of this work was Miss Verena Venter, who left Mochudi in 1968 to teach the children at Kanagas. She was joined in 1973 by the Rev, and Mrs. J.L. Rammala, who were sent out by the Southern Transvaal Synod and opened a hostel for Basarwa children.
Another recent venture is a mission station at Makaleng, north-west of Francis- town, where the Rev. Isaac Moyo has been working on behalf of the Mochudi Circuit since 1974. In all the areas served by the church, youth camps and evangelistic campaigns have proved to be of tremendous value in reaching the hearts of the local inhabitants.
WELFARE WORK
Since the early years, the Dutch Reformed Church has identified itself with the needs of the people, not only by showing them the way to Christ but also by providing care and alleviating distress wherever possible.
During the deadly smallpox epidemic in 1895, for instance, Misses Murray and Retief chose to remain at Mochudi when the entrances were closed and the village placed under quarantine for six months. Throughout that period they visited the sick and gave assistance to the needy.
The next year, the country was stricken by the disastrous rinderpest and severe drought, resulting in the loss of about nine-tenths of the cattle. in addition, there was a particularly severe outbreak of malaria fever. During those years of distress, from 1895 to 1898, the mission staff, led by Messrs. Neethling and Stofberg, exerted themselves to the utmost to assist the suffering and starving population. Money and food were collected in the Cape and large consignments of food were sent by rail for distribution among the hungry. Chief Linchwe led his subjects in repentance and prayer .... and also in thanksgiving when those prayers were answered.
EDUCATION
From the beginning the church took a keen interest in education. Mission schools were built and teachers appointed, until the time arrived to hand over this department of the work to the local administration in 1921. An indication of the progress in this field was the fact that by that time no less than 900 children were at school. The close co-operation between church and administration continued and in the thirties Mochudi was regarded as the most important educational centre in Bechuanaland.
MEDCAL
Likewise, the early missionaries provided medical and dental aid to the best of their ability. For this purpose some of them followed courses in tropical medicine overseas before travelling to the mission fields.
Organised medical services at Mochudi were started in 1924, when the first qualified nurse, sister M. Wahl, was appointed and the first clinic opened. Another forward step was the appointment of the first medical doctor, Dr. G.M. Malan, in 1927. This paved the way for the opening of a small hospital in 1932, named the Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital in recognition of Miss Retief’s exemplary service in the mission field.
Another hospital was built near Sikwane in 1949. This hospital lies at Derdepoort, on the Transvaal side of the border, on the site of an unfortunate battle between black and white during the Anglo-Boer War, It now serves as a “bridge of love” between people from different countries and nations. The first superintendent was Dr. G.H.j. Teichler, who was transferred to Mochudi eleven years later. Other doctors who worked at Derdepoort and Mochudi include Drs. J.G. Burger, I. le Roux, J.G.M. Richter, Johanna Goldbach and Gerda Matthiessen The nursing staff also increased and saw many changes as time passed.
The Mochudi hospital was enlarged several times, partly as a result of generous donations from churches in Europe. In 1964, for instance, new wards and a nurses’ home were opened by the Director of Medical Services.
In 1966 Dr. Teichler went to London for further study in ophthalmology and on his return he established the first eye clinic in Botswana. Mochudi became a nurses’ training centre as well. Dr. Teichler, who was awarded the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 1970, retired last year after 27 years of untiring efforts on behalf of the people. The present superintendent is Dr. Howard Moffatt. The hospital now has 100 beds and treats 3 000 bed-patients and 25 000 out-patients per annum. A T.B. section is among the recent additions.
A huge mural painting of the Good Samaritan at the main entrance to the hospital symbolises the spirit in which this service is provided by the church. Fittingly, the Willie Neethling chapel is the spiritual heart of the hospital.
HOMECRAFTS CENTRE
As early as the previous century a small hostel was opened for scholars at Mochudi. This undertaking was placed on a sound footing in 1941 when a permanent hostel was established for girls. It was named after Miss Agnes Krynauw, who worked at Mochudi for 22 years. The matron, Miss M. Vermeulen, soon organised classes in domestic science, first aid and other subjects. This developed into the well-known Homecrafts Centre in 1945, when Miss E.J. von Mollendorf became the first principal.
Under Miss Von Mollendorf’s inspiring leadership the institution was an immediate success. It received generous government support and recognition, and girls. from all over Botswana flocked to the school. Gradually the standards for admission were raised and various other courses initiated. The Agnes Krynauw hostel was enlarged twice to accommodate the increasing number of students.
In November, 1969, three new groups of buildings were opened by the Minister of Education, Mr. B.C. Thema. These included an entirely new Homecrafts Centre, a Resource Centre for the Blind, and additional hospital blocks. A noteworthy feature of the Resource Centre is the fact that the blind children are taught together with normal children, although they are housed separately. Through Dr. Teichler’s endeavours a home and workshop for blind adults were established next to the hospital. A mission school was opened for children who are too old to be admitted to government schools. Temporary accommodation is also provided for relatives of hospital patients.
The Girl Guide movement proved to be a valuable avenue of service for some mission workers. Miss A.j. Pretorius, for instance, was awarded a Coronation Medal in 1937 for her leadership of the Wayfarers. Miss Von Mollendorf served as District Commissioner of the Girl Guides for many years. For her achievements in various spheres she was awarded the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service, the bronze medal and honorary membership of the Royal Africa Society, and the Bronze Eagle of the Girl Guides. She retired as principal of the Homecrafts Centre in 1975 and was succeeded by Miss Elize Cronjé.
GABORONE
At Gaborone, too, the church is setting up institutions for the benefit of local citizens. A day care centre (creche) for 80 children of working mothers is presently operating in the church hall, and another one is planned for the Naledi township. An important contribution to religious life throughout the country is made through MEMA, the church department which specialises in spreading the Gospel through modern audio-visual methods. Soon after Botswana became independent, MEMA established a well-equipped studio in Gaborone. Led by Mr. John Graham, it is responsible for all religious programmes of Radio Botswana. The D.R.C. also has its own newsletter, Morning Star (Mphatlalatsane).
It would have been impossible to meet the demands of all these activities without the loyal assistance of several dozen devoted men and women who left their own homes and countries to serve God in this part of Botswana. In addition to those already mentioned, the names are recalled of Misses Joan Laubscher, M. Barnard, Joan Claassen (Mrs. Barry), Lena Muller, Annette de Villiers, Leonora Kirchner, Alta Fourie and many others, ably assisted by local women such as Molly Molotsi, Virginia Sekate, Angeline Rampa, G. Pilane, Margaret Sakeng, Kedilong Molefi and Maria Moagi.
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
The centenary is an opportune occasion to take stock of the present state of the church and to face the immediate challenges, especially in view of the recent tenth anniversary of the Republic of Botswana. Looking back upon the past hundred years, one is left with a feeling of gratitude for what has been achieved by the grace of God. At the same time, however, the church is sadly aware of its failings and lost opportunities. What, then, are the main problems and challenges to be met by the church at the beginning of its second century?
It is to be regretted that the church did not grow, both inwardly and outwardly, during the last seventy years as it did in the first thirty years. The great “tribal conversion” under Chief Linchwe gave a tremendous impetus to the church and to the Christian religion in this country, but led to the problem of nominal membership in later years. Many people joined the church because it was the customary thing to do and not by inner conviction.
The localisation or indigenisation of the church must be pursued with vigour. The local mission council is already giving serious attention to the matter and has established a fund for the training of local people for specialised duties. To an increasing extent the future of the church in Botswana will depend not on expatriate missionaries, but on Christian citizens of the country who are prepared to serve God and their fellow-men in this way. The same principle applies to the financial side of the work. The church must aim at becoming self-supporting through the sacrificial gifts of its members. Foreign assistance will still be necessary and forthcoming, but no vigorous church can be built on such a foundation alone.
Stronger witness should be given by church members in word and deed. In earlier days, Christians were so obedient to God in their daily life that they attracted others, according to veteran church members like Mr. Selogwe Pilane and Miss Maria Moagi. More Christians should realise that every one of them forms part of the church and is co-responsible for its upkeep and extension.
The next problem is of a sociological nature. Family life is disrupted by the absence of men who stay at the cattle posts or work in the mines, while women work on the lands. This means that children are left at home alone for considerable periods, which gives rise not only to immorality but also to a neglect of church duties. Furthermore, for some reason or other, men are inclined to show less interest than women and children in religious matters. Although this is a fairly general phenomenon, it seems more marked in Botswana than elsewhere. This is one of the main reasons for the scarcity of church councillors and candidates for the ministry.
CENTENARY
The centenary of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana will be celebrated at Mochudi during the second half of May, 1977. The main programme provides for choirs, film shows, exhibitions, reminiscences from the past, festival services, a Bible relay from Sikwane to Mochudi, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. It will be preceded by an evangelistic campaign with the object of challenging people anew with the demands of the Word of God.
The festival is being organised as an occasion for spiritual renewal and rededication, which will bring new life to the church. The church faces many challenges in Botswana, but they cannot be met without dedicated members who are willing to serve God and their fellow-men through the power of the Holy Spirit.
W.L. MAREE
DUTCH REFORMED CHURCH
IN BOTSWANA – 1887-1987
By W.L. Maree
A hundred years is only a brief period in the eyes of God, but in human terms it overs several generations. Therefore the centenary of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana (1877-1977) gives reason for thanksgiving and rejoicing, espeially in view of the close relationship between the church and the Bakgatla people throughout this period.
It can be claimed that the Bakgatla people brought their church with them when they moved from Saulspoort to Mochudi in 1870, although seven more years were to pass before the first permanent missionary settled at Mochudi in 1877.
The history of this mission goes back to the year 1857, when the Cape Synod of the Dutch Reformed Church (Nederduitse Gereformeerde Kerk) decided to establish a “foreign mission” somewhere beyond the borders of the Cape Colony. In those days the church still had to recruit most of its ministers, missionaries and :eachers from overseas. Accordingly the Rev. Alexander MacKidd of Scotland and :he Rev. Henri Gonin of Switzerland were found for the proposed new venture.
Mr. MacKidd established a mission station in the Soutpansberg district in the Northern Transvaal in 1863. The following year Mr. Gonin settled near Saulspoort in the Western Transvaal, where he preached the Gospel to the Bakgatla people and baptised the first converts in 1866. At the request of Chief Kgamanyane of the Bakgatla ba ga Kgatela, the Gonin family soon moved to the main village at Saulspoort.
EXODUS
In 1870, however, Chief Kgamanyane left the Transvaal with the majority of his subjects and eventually established a new village at Mochudi on the banks of the Notwane River. Mr. Gonin first considered following the Chief to Mochudi, but after decided to continue his ministry among the remaining people at Saulspoort.
In 1874 Mochudi was visited by a young missionary, the Rev. Pieter Brink, who had been working with Mr. Gonin. In the same year Chief Kgamanyane died and was succeeded by his son Linchwe, who gave Mr. Brink permission to settle at Mochudi. In May 1877 the missionary and his wife moved to Mochudi and started building a simple church and school. He also ordered a small printing press to produce literature in the Setswana language. During the nine years of his ministry in this area he baptised 37 converts, including two brothers and an uncle of the chief.
More people moved westward from the Transvaal and established villages such as Malolwane, Sikwane, Modipane, Bokaa and Morwa. As early as 1882 Mr. Brink sent a teacher to Sikwane.
CHIEF’S CONVERSION
After Mr. Brink’s death in 1886 he was succeeded by the Rev. E.B. Beyer. Building on the foundations laid by his predecessor, Mr. Beyer saw the Spirit of God working miracles in the hearts of the people. The new church, which he built in 1890, was soon filled to overflowing. The schools were full of eager pupils and a special class was formed for young men who wished to become evangelists.
The most momentous and far-reaching event in the history of the tribe was the conversion of Chief Linchwe himself in 1892. After attending catechism for some time and secluding himself in the hills to search his own heart, he decided to commit his life to God and to join the church. Before his baptism and confirmation, he called a meeting of the tribe to inform his subjects of his decision. In a stirring address he expressed his intention to follow the precepts of the Christian faith and to rule as a Christian chief for the rest of his life. When some tribesmen complained that no one would make rain for them any more, the Chief replied that rain was sent by God and that he would pray to God for rain for all his people.
The Chief’s act made a tremendous impression on his people. Scores of them followed his example and the church grew spectacularly. Chief Linchwe proclaimed strict laws in accordance with his Christian convictions. Sunday observance was enforced and several heathen customs were abolished. No other denomination was allowed to establish a mission station in the area, and for all practical purposes the Dutch Reformed Church became the national church of the Bakgatla people.
Before Mr. Beyer’s departure in 1894, the baptised members at Mochudi had increased to 411, while four schools were attended by 300 children and 300 adults. Church services were attended by up to 1500 people at a time. A church was also built at Sikwane, where the communicant members increased to 230 and the scholars to 240. Evangelists were stationed at several villages, such as Leoke Mann at Sikwane, Thomas Phini at Malolwane and Abel Ratladi at Morwa.
The Chief’s brothers, Segale and Ramono, were as enthusiastic as the Chief himself in promoting the Christian faith and the welfare of the tribe. Chief Linchwe proved to be a great and wise leader, revered by his people and held in high esteem by all.
CONSTANT GROWTH
In 1896 an eager young missionary, the Rev. Willie Neethling, arrived at Mochudi. His brief ministry was brought to a tragic end the next year, when the gable of the church collapsed on him during a freak storm. His last words, “God makes no mistakes”, are remembered and quoted at Mochudi to this day. He was the first of several mission workers to be buried at Mochudi, among the people whom he had come to serve in the name of God.
The Rev. Pieter Stofberg, who succeeded the Rev. Neethling, was one of the most gifted and capable missionaries ever sent out by the Dutch Reformed Church. His wife died soon after his arrival, but for several years he continued preaching the Gospel, organising the work on a sound basis, teaching the large numbers of catechumens, training evangelists and giving medical assistance. Meanwhile, Western civilisation and influence became more marked, especially when telephone and railway lines to Rhodesia were laid through this area and Bechuanaland became a British Protectorate with the boundaries of the tribal districts defined.
The missionary work at Mochudi was interrupted by the Anglo-Boer War, but was resumed afterwards with renewed vigour. The highlight of the Post-war decade was the building of the large church in 1903 and 1904. The Chief himself took the lead and laid the foundation stone for the edifice which is still standing today.
By 1905 more than a thousand Bakgatla children were attending various mission schools — more than 600 in Mochudi and the rest in other villages. Mr. Stofberg’s death in 1907 was a great loss to the church. His memory is perpetuated in the Stotberg Memorial School for ministers, evangelists and teachers which was established in South Africa the year after his death.
MANY CHANGES
The work was continued by missionaries such as Messrs. D.J. Joubert, J.C. Knobel, C.H. Murray and H.R. Barrish; teachers like Messrs. W.D. Hibbert and R.S. Steerisma; and devoted women like Misses Mary Murray, Miemie Neethling, Borne Retief, Agnes Krynauw and many others. The most remarkable of these ladies was the legendary Miss Retief, who worked at Mochudi for 42 years, from 1887 to 1929. She devoted the greatest part of her life to the Bakgatla people, especially the women. Occasionally, when no male missionaries were available, she carried the responsibility alone.
Even more important than the constant supply of ministers and mission workers
from South Africa, was the fact that Bakgatla men and women came forward in increasing numbers to preach the Gospel and teach the children. The pioneer evangelist, Leoke Mann, died at the turn of the century, but the work was continued by
devoted evangelists such as Hendrik Molefi, Silas Matihaga, Levi Gare, Simon Kwa
pa, Nicodemus Molantwa, Aaron Ratsatsi, Henoke Sefakwe and Samuel Tihagwane. Mention must also be made of the large number of teachers, even from the
royal family.
The Rev. Thomas Phiri, who had been serving as an evangelist since 1893 and later completed his studies at the Mission Institute at Wellington, was ordained as a
minister in 1906. He will be remembered as the second African pastor ordained by
the D.R. Church and the first from the Bakgatla people. He lived at Mabalane
and preached in the villages near the Transvaal border.
Unfortunately the church did not continue growing and flourishing at the same
rate as during the first thirty years. To many people membership in the church be
came a custom or formality, rather than a matter of conviction, with the result that
church attendance dropped although the nominal membership increased. Furthermore, the work was hampered by a fast turnover of missionaries, interspersed
with long vacancies.
Meanwhile, Chief Linchwe suffered a stroke, which left him partially paralysed.
His second son, Isang, acted as Regent from 1921, as the eldest son had died a few
years earlier. Isang continued to act in this capacity after Linchwe’s death in 1924,
as the legal heir, Molefi, was still too young to assume the chieftainship.
CO-OPERATION
The arrival of the Rev. Johan Reyneke in 1923 heralded a new period of church
extension and fruitful co-operation between church and tribe to the advantage of
the people. Chief Isang showed a keen interest in education, as was proved by the building of a large new school on a hill overlooking the village. He also encouraged modern agricultural methods, combatted the abuse of liquor and insisted on Sunday observance, while certain tribal traditions were re-introduced in a Christianised form. In those days, communion services were attended by up to 700 communicants at a time. In 1929 Molefi was installed as Chief. After the departure of Mr. Reyneke in 1934, the church had to face the establishment of the Zion African Church and the Bakgatla Free Church — the latter led by the Rev. Phiri who left the D.R.C. in 1937. Rev. W.A. Krige, the Rev. Paul Murray and the Rev. J.C.N. Mentz, worked hard however, to recover what had been lost. By 1941 the official following of the church was as large as ever, with 2 640 communicants, 320 catechumens, about 700 Sunday school pupils and 1 500 scholars. The women’s association (Kopano) played an important part in the life of the church. The 75th anniversary of the mission was celebrated in 1952.
EAST AND WEST
The church in the Sikwane area had lost most of its members through the defection of the Rev. Phiri, but the veteran evangelist Samuel Tlhagwane (who is still living today at the ripe age of 105) patiently began assembling the remaining members. From 1945 permanent missionaries were stationed in that area again. Especially during the ministry of the Rev. J.L. Reyneke between 1948 and 1957, the dispersed members returned to the fold and the Bakgatla Free Church disappeared from the scene. A symbol of the rebirth of the congregation at Sikwane was the official opening of an impressive new church in 1960 by Chief Linchwe II, who had succeeded his father on the latter’s death in 1958.
When Mr. Mentz retired at Mochudi, the work was continued by the Rev. Andrew Barry, who had been assisting Mr. Mentz since 1955. He was joined by the Rev. R.J. Seoke in 1964. in 1972 Mr. Seoke exchanged Mochudi for Sikwane.
The church expanded in other directions as well. For instance, a church was built and a school opened at Mokgopeetsane, where a small Coloured community had settled in 1915. Regular services were conducted there by missionaries from Mochudi, leading to the establishment of an independent congregation in 1963.
In 1940 the Rev. J.M. Madisa was stationed at Morwa to preach the Gospel in the western and southern villages such as Morwa, Bokaa, Oodi, Modipane and Rasesa. He was succeeded by the Rev. J.M. Mmatladi and in 1964 a separate congregation, called Mochudi West (Mochudi-Bophirima), was formed there. The minister since 1966 is the Rev. S.T. Phiri.
Another new congregation, comprising the eastern part of Mochudi, was formed in 1969. This congregation is known as Mochudi East (Mochudi-Botihaba). A church was opened there in 1972 and four years later the Rev. M.S. Tshenye was inducted as its first minister.
INDEPENDENCE
In 1966 the Republic of Botswana was established, with Sir Seretse Khama as its first President. The capital of the new Republic was built at Gaborone, 42 kilometres south of Mochudi. As many D.R.C. members from the Kgatleng district settled at Gaborone, it soon became clear that the church would have to extend its activities to Gaborone as well.
This was an important milestone in the history of the church, as it marked the expansion of its work beyond the Kgatleng district to which it had been confined for 90 years. In 1967 the Rev. Eric CasaleggIo was transferred from Sikwane to Gaborone, where he immediately started collecting his flock and conducting services. An impressive new church, with an adjoining hail, was officially opened in November, 1969, in the presence of several local dignitaries. Mr. Casaleggio also served as chairman of the Botswana Bible Society, which opened the well-known Bible House in Gaborone in the same year.
When Mr. Casaleggio left in 1971, Mr. Barry was transferred to Gaborone, where he is still working today. He was succeeded by the Rev. Vincent Pienaar at Mochudi. The Mokgopeetsane congregation was incorporated in the Gaborone congregation in 1974.
The presbytery of Mochudi was formed in 1972 to co-ordinate the activities of the congregations in Botswana, their total communicant membership being between 3 000 and 4 000.
The church also extended its work to other people who had hitherto not been reached by the Gospel. The most important undertaking was the mission to the nomadic Basarwa people near the western border of Botswana. The pioneer of this work was Miss Verena Venter, who left Mochudi in 1968 to teach the children at Kanagas. She was joined in 1973 by the Rev, and Mrs. J.L. Rammala, who were sent out by the Southern Transvaal Synod and opened a hostel for Basarwa children.
Another recent venture is a mission station at Makaleng, north-west of Francis- town, where the Rev. Isaac Moyo has been working on behalf of the Mochudi Circuit since 1974. In all the areas served by the church, youth camps and evangelistic campaigns have proved to be of tremendous value in reaching the hearts of the local inhabitants.
WELFARE WORK
Since the early years, the Dutch Reformed Church has identified itself with the needs of the people, not only by showing them the way to Christ but also by providing care and alleviating distress wherever possible.
During the deadly smallpox epidemic in 1895, for instance, Misses Murray and Retief chose to remain at Mochudi when the entrances were closed and the village placed under quarantine for six months. Throughout that period they visited the sick and gave assistance to the needy.
The next year, the country was stricken by the disastrous rinderpest and severe drought, resulting in the loss of about nine-tenths of the cattle. in addition, there was a particularly severe outbreak of malaria fever. During those years of distress, from 1895 to 1898, the mission staff, led by Messrs. Neethling and Stofberg, exerted themselves to the utmost to assist the suffering and starving population. Money and food were collected in the Cape and large consignments of food were sent by rail for distribution among the hungry. Chief Linchwe led his subjects in repentance and prayer .... and also in thanksgiving when those prayers were answered.
EDUCATION
From the beginning the church took a keen interest in education. Mission schools were built and teachers appointed, until the time arrived to hand over this department of the work to the local administration in 1921. An indication of the progress in this field was the fact that by that time no less than 900 children were at school. The close co-operation between church and administration continued and in the thirties Mochudi was regarded as the most important educational centre in Bechuanaland.
MEDCAL
Likewise, the early missionaries provided medical and dental aid to the best of their ability. For this purpose some of them followed courses in tropical medicine overseas before travelling to the mission fields.
Organised medical services at Mochudi were started in 1924, when the first qualified nurse, sister M. Wahl, was appointed and the first clinic opened. Another forward step was the appointment of the first medical doctor, Dr. G.M. Malan, in 1927. This paved the way for the opening of a small hospital in 1932, named the Deborah Retief Memorial Hospital in recognition of Miss Retief’s exemplary service in the mission field.
Another hospital was built near Sikwane in 1949. This hospital lies at Derdepoort, on the Transvaal side of the border, on the site of an unfortunate battle between black and white during the Anglo-Boer War, It now serves as a “bridge of love” between people from different countries and nations. The first superintendent was Dr. G.H.j. Teichler, who was transferred to Mochudi eleven years later. Other doctors who worked at Derdepoort and Mochudi include Drs. J.G. Burger, I. le Roux, J.G.M. Richter, Johanna Goldbach and Gerda Matthiessen The nursing staff also increased and saw many changes as time passed.
The Mochudi hospital was enlarged several times, partly as a result of generous donations from churches in Europe. In 1964, for instance, new wards and a nurses’ home were opened by the Director of Medical Services.
In 1966 Dr. Teichler went to London for further study in ophthalmology and on his return he established the first eye clinic in Botswana. Mochudi became a nurses’ training centre as well. Dr. Teichler, who was awarded the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service in 1970, retired last year after 27 years of untiring efforts on behalf of the people. The present superintendent is Dr. Howard Moffatt. The hospital now has 100 beds and treats 3 000 bed-patients and 25 000 out-patients per annum. A T.B. section is among the recent additions.
A huge mural painting of the Good Samaritan at the main entrance to the hospital symbolises the spirit in which this service is provided by the church. Fittingly, the Willie Neethling chapel is the spiritual heart of the hospital.
HOMECRAFTS CENTRE
As early as the previous century a small hostel was opened for scholars at Mochudi. This undertaking was placed on a sound footing in 1941 when a permanent hostel was established for girls. It was named after Miss Agnes Krynauw, who worked at Mochudi for 22 years. The matron, Miss M. Vermeulen, soon organised classes in domestic science, first aid and other subjects. This developed into the well-known Homecrafts Centre in 1945, when Miss E.J. von Mollendorf became the first principal.
Under Miss Von Mollendorf’s inspiring leadership the institution was an immediate success. It received generous government support and recognition, and girls. from all over Botswana flocked to the school. Gradually the standards for admission were raised and various other courses initiated. The Agnes Krynauw hostel was enlarged twice to accommodate the increasing number of students.
In November, 1969, three new groups of buildings were opened by the Minister of Education, Mr. B.C. Thema. These included an entirely new Homecrafts Centre, a Resource Centre for the Blind, and additional hospital blocks. A noteworthy feature of the Resource Centre is the fact that the blind children are taught together with normal children, although they are housed separately. Through Dr. Teichler’s endeavours a home and workshop for blind adults were established next to the hospital. A mission school was opened for children who are too old to be admitted to government schools. Temporary accommodation is also provided for relatives of hospital patients.
The Girl Guide movement proved to be a valuable avenue of service for some mission workers. Miss A.j. Pretorius, for instance, was awarded a Coronation Medal in 1937 for her leadership of the Wayfarers. Miss Von Mollendorf served as District Commissioner of the Girl Guides for many years. For her achievements in various spheres she was awarded the Presidential Order of Meritorious Service, the bronze medal and honorary membership of the Royal Africa Society, and the Bronze Eagle of the Girl Guides. She retired as principal of the Homecrafts Centre in 1975 and was succeeded by Miss Elize Cronjé.
GABORONE
At Gaborone, too, the church is setting up institutions for the benefit of local citizens. A day care centre (creche) for 80 children of working mothers is presently operating in the church hall, and another one is planned for the Naledi township. An important contribution to religious life throughout the country is made through MEMA, the church department which specialises in spreading the Gospel through modern audio-visual methods. Soon after Botswana became independent, MEMA established a well-equipped studio in Gaborone. Led by Mr. John Graham, it is responsible for all religious programmes of Radio Botswana. The D.R.C. also has its own newsletter, Morning Star (Mphatlalatsane).
It would have been impossible to meet the demands of all these activities without the loyal assistance of several dozen devoted men and women who left their own homes and countries to serve God in this part of Botswana. In addition to those already mentioned, the names are recalled of Misses Joan Laubscher, M. Barnard, Joan Claassen (Mrs. Barry), Lena Muller, Annette de Villiers, Leonora Kirchner, Alta Fourie and many others, ably assisted by local women such as Molly Molotsi, Virginia Sekate, Angeline Rampa, G. Pilane, Margaret Sakeng, Kedilong Molefi and Maria Moagi.
PROBLEMS AND PROSPECTS
The centenary is an opportune occasion to take stock of the present state of the church and to face the immediate challenges, especially in view of the recent tenth anniversary of the Republic of Botswana. Looking back upon the past hundred years, one is left with a feeling of gratitude for what has been achieved by the grace of God. At the same time, however, the church is sadly aware of its failings and lost opportunities. What, then, are the main problems and challenges to be met by the church at the beginning of its second century?
It is to be regretted that the church did not grow, both inwardly and outwardly, during the last seventy years as it did in the first thirty years. The great “tribal conversion” under Chief Linchwe gave a tremendous impetus to the church and to the Christian religion in this country, but led to the problem of nominal membership in later years. Many people joined the church because it was the customary thing to do and not by inner conviction.
The localisation or indigenisation of the church must be pursued with vigour. The local mission council is already giving serious attention to the matter and has established a fund for the training of local people for specialised duties. To an increasing extent the future of the church in Botswana will depend not on expatriate missionaries, but on Christian citizens of the country who are prepared to serve God and their fellow-men in this way. The same principle applies to the financial side of the work. The church must aim at becoming self-supporting through the sacrificial gifts of its members. Foreign assistance will still be necessary and forthcoming, but no vigorous church can be built on such a foundation alone.
Stronger witness should be given by church members in word and deed. In earlier days, Christians were so obedient to God in their daily life that they attracted others, according to veteran church members like Mr. Selogwe Pilane and Miss Maria Moagi. More Christians should realise that every one of them forms part of the church and is co-responsible for its upkeep and extension.
The next problem is of a sociological nature. Family life is disrupted by the absence of men who stay at the cattle posts or work in the mines, while women work on the lands. This means that children are left at home alone for considerable periods, which gives rise not only to immorality but also to a neglect of church duties. Furthermore, for some reason or other, men are inclined to show less interest than women and children in religious matters. Although this is a fairly general phenomenon, it seems more marked in Botswana than elsewhere. This is one of the main reasons for the scarcity of church councillors and candidates for the ministry.
CENTENARY
The centenary of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana will be celebrated at Mochudi during the second half of May, 1977. The main programme provides for choirs, film shows, exhibitions, reminiscences from the past, festival services, a Bible relay from Sikwane to Mochudi, and the unveiling of a commemorative plaque. It will be preceded by an evangelistic campaign with the object of challenging people anew with the demands of the Word of God.
The festival is being organised as an occasion for spiritual renewal and rededication, which will bring new life to the church. The church faces many challenges in Botswana, but they cannot be met without dedicated members who are willing to serve God and their fellow-men through the power of the Holy Spirit.
W.L. MAREE
Monday, June 16, 2008
Projects of the DRCB Lobatse Congregation
The Dutch Reformed church in Lobatse became independent in 1944, and since then it has also become a intercultural congregation, having members originating from Botswana, South Africa, Zimbabwe, Zambia, Malawi and South-West Africa. The languages spoken most frequently in our congregation is Setswana, Afrikaans and English.
The congregation is covering an area of almost 160km in diameter, and people are coming from different backgrounds. We do, however, also have the dilemma of a growing number of jobless people, HIV/aids patients, and aids orphans within the boundaries of our congregation.
We currently run several projects to assist in these situations:
1. We have a well established HIV/Aids project in our rural ward, with the following branches:
· We have an awareness program in which we make people aware of the method of infection, the dangers and consequences, as well as the treatment of HIV/Aids patients.
· We have a counseling program for infected people and their families.
· We have a field ambulance which takes sick people to and fro from the hospital.
· We also have a feeding program to supply infected patients with the right food.
· We also have a water project, in which we plan to supply infected patients with clean water from a borehole.
2. Additional to this project we have a project for the poor. We provide our rural community in Maruswe with a meal every Sunday, and give a monthly food basket in cases of severe poverty. We also regularly hand out blankets, second-hand clothes, and new tracksuits to the children. There are around 60 people assisted by this this project.
3. We also have a growing street children project in Lobatse, where we provide them with a meal on Sundays, and provide them with clothing in the winter. We are currently catering for about 15 children.
4. In Metloyane, a village about 60km West from Lobatse, we are also involved with 40 children, which we clothe and feed according to what we have available. We have also built a house for an HIV/Aids patient in this community.
5. We are also assisting a destitute young man, Tumelo Moraka, to complete his training at a Vocational Training Centre in Khumakwane, near Gaborone.
6. We furthermore use the services of a travelling evangelist, Roy Reddy, to do life skill training at the school, using audio-visual materials, pamphlets, and messages.
7. We also support a young student, from Tsabong, Yolandi van Zyl, who is currently doing her year for Christ in South Africa.
Our plans for the coming year is to start a computer lab for underprivileged children at our church, and need second-hand computers for this purpose. We already have a room suitable for this purpose.
These current projects help to alleviate the situation, but we are looking for funds, materials, physical assistance and prayer to really further the projects, and reach more people.
To God be the Glory!
Johannes Wessels
The congregation is covering an area of almost 160km in diameter, and people are coming from different backgrounds. We do, however, also have the dilemma of a growing number of jobless people, HIV/aids patients, and aids orphans within the boundaries of our congregation.
We currently run several projects to assist in these situations:
1. We have a well established HIV/Aids project in our rural ward, with the following branches:
· We have an awareness program in which we make people aware of the method of infection, the dangers and consequences, as well as the treatment of HIV/Aids patients.
· We have a counseling program for infected people and their families.
· We have a field ambulance which takes sick people to and fro from the hospital.
· We also have a feeding program to supply infected patients with the right food.
· We also have a water project, in which we plan to supply infected patients with clean water from a borehole.
2. Additional to this project we have a project for the poor. We provide our rural community in Maruswe with a meal every Sunday, and give a monthly food basket in cases of severe poverty. We also regularly hand out blankets, second-hand clothes, and new tracksuits to the children. There are around 60 people assisted by this this project.
3. We also have a growing street children project in Lobatse, where we provide them with a meal on Sundays, and provide them with clothing in the winter. We are currently catering for about 15 children.
4. In Metloyane, a village about 60km West from Lobatse, we are also involved with 40 children, which we clothe and feed according to what we have available. We have also built a house for an HIV/Aids patient in this community.
5. We are also assisting a destitute young man, Tumelo Moraka, to complete his training at a Vocational Training Centre in Khumakwane, near Gaborone.
6. We furthermore use the services of a travelling evangelist, Roy Reddy, to do life skill training at the school, using audio-visual materials, pamphlets, and messages.
7. We also support a young student, from Tsabong, Yolandi van Zyl, who is currently doing her year for Christ in South Africa.
Our plans for the coming year is to start a computer lab for underprivileged children at our church, and need second-hand computers for this purpose. We already have a room suitable for this purpose.
These current projects help to alleviate the situation, but we are looking for funds, materials, physical assistance and prayer to really further the projects, and reach more people.
To God be the Glory!
Johannes Wessels
Report from Lobatse Congregation to Sikwane Circuit 2007/2008
Report from Lobatse Congregation to Sikwane Circuit 2007/2008
The DRCB Lobatse Congregation thanks the Lord for his continuous grace, and his blessings through the past year. During the year we really felt that the Lord assisted us in growing in our outreach – areas, being Setlhareng, Metloyane and Kanye. Although we are still going through difficult times regarding the involvement of the wards in the Lobatse area, we are positive that things will improve soon.
We are also pleased to report that our projects are running well. Up and above our HIV/Aids project in Setlhareng, we have also started a street children project in Lobatse, and are still reaching out in Kanye. We are also starting with an outreach project with house workers in Jwaneng, and the ward there is really growing fine. We are also assisting with the education of a destitute young man at a Vocational Training College.
We have started a very successful 40 days campaign, and are also proceeding this year with the second course in this regard, being “40 days of community”. We are also still using Roy Reddy from the Advent 2000 project, and he is working in the Jwaneng area at the schools, evangelising to different groups.
We also have a running weekly cell group, as well as regular ward meetings. Rev. Wessels are also busy studing for his doctorate in his final year, and his father is helping out in his place whilst he is on study leave. Rev. Wessels is also still lecturing at the Mafeking Campus of the North-West University, where his is creating opportunities for Botswana students to study there at a very low cost.
We are also still supporting Roy Reddy, a missionary of Advent 2000 who are working mostly in Jwaneng, and in the Francistown area, distributing evangelistic material, and showing several gospel films to promote the kingdom of God in Botswana. We are also supporting Yolandi van Zyl in Tsabong, who is on her year for Christ in South Africa, doing evangelisation there.
The congregation is wishing the Circuit Committee a blessed meeting!
The DRCB Lobatse Congregation thanks the Lord for his continuous grace, and his blessings through the past year. During the year we really felt that the Lord assisted us in growing in our outreach – areas, being Setlhareng, Metloyane and Kanye. Although we are still going through difficult times regarding the involvement of the wards in the Lobatse area, we are positive that things will improve soon.
We are also pleased to report that our projects are running well. Up and above our HIV/Aids project in Setlhareng, we have also started a street children project in Lobatse, and are still reaching out in Kanye. We are also starting with an outreach project with house workers in Jwaneng, and the ward there is really growing fine. We are also assisting with the education of a destitute young man at a Vocational Training College.
We have started a very successful 40 days campaign, and are also proceeding this year with the second course in this regard, being “40 days of community”. We are also still using Roy Reddy from the Advent 2000 project, and he is working in the Jwaneng area at the schools, evangelising to different groups.
We also have a running weekly cell group, as well as regular ward meetings. Rev. Wessels are also busy studing for his doctorate in his final year, and his father is helping out in his place whilst he is on study leave. Rev. Wessels is also still lecturing at the Mafeking Campus of the North-West University, where his is creating opportunities for Botswana students to study there at a very low cost.
We are also still supporting Roy Reddy, a missionary of Advent 2000 who are working mostly in Jwaneng, and in the Francistown area, distributing evangelistic material, and showing several gospel films to promote the kingdom of God in Botswana. We are also supporting Yolandi van Zyl in Tsabong, who is on her year for Christ in South Africa, doing evangelisation there.
The congregation is wishing the Circuit Committee a blessed meeting!
More about my work and my calling
I am currently the pastor of the Dutch Reformed Church in Botswana, Lobatse Congregation. Lobatse Congregation has 5 wards, being the Afrikaans farming and business community in and around Lobatse, the English-Setswana ward in Lobatse, as well as a ward in a rural village, called Setlhareng, a ward in Metloyane, about 60km from Lobatse, and a ward in Jwaneng, about 140km from Lobatse.
I normally preach in all 5 wards on a Sunday, ending in Jwaneng, where I usually sleep over.I minister in Afrikaans, English and Setswana, and our church council is representative of several cultures and languages.I am also involved in the Kgalagadi Congregation as consulent. The Kgalagadi congregation consists of 5 wards, being Kokotsa, Werda, Tsabong, Bokspits and Struizendam. Struizendam is about 900 km from Lobatse, and it is visited about 4 times a year.
I love to sing and play guitar, and I normally accompany the congregation with guitar, whilst my lovely wife Elzette creates a wonderfull atmosphere before the service with the organ.
I am currently busy with what is (hopefully) my 3rd and final year of my doctorate studies at the Potchefstroom University under Prof. Fika Janse van Rensburg as my promotor. The title of my thesis is: Offering the gospel "adapanon". An interpretation and application of 1 Corinthians 9:18 and it’s implication for the ministry in BotswanaI am also involved in lecturing at the Mafeking Campus of the North-West University, where I teach Old and New Testament to Honnors students, with the vision to provide affordable theological education for Botswana Students. I also love road running (have completed the Comrades in 2002), tennis, squash, cycling, birdwatching, photography and computers.
I normally preach in all 5 wards on a Sunday, ending in Jwaneng, where I usually sleep over.I minister in Afrikaans, English and Setswana, and our church council is representative of several cultures and languages.I am also involved in the Kgalagadi Congregation as consulent. The Kgalagadi congregation consists of 5 wards, being Kokotsa, Werda, Tsabong, Bokspits and Struizendam. Struizendam is about 900 km from Lobatse, and it is visited about 4 times a year.
I love to sing and play guitar, and I normally accompany the congregation with guitar, whilst my lovely wife Elzette creates a wonderfull atmosphere before the service with the organ.
I am currently busy with what is (hopefully) my 3rd and final year of my doctorate studies at the Potchefstroom University under Prof. Fika Janse van Rensburg as my promotor. The title of my thesis is: Offering the gospel "adapanon". An interpretation and application of 1 Corinthians 9:18 and it’s implication for the ministry in BotswanaI am also involved in lecturing at the Mafeking Campus of the North-West University, where I teach Old and New Testament to Honnors students, with the vision to provide affordable theological education for Botswana Students. I also love road running (have completed the Comrades in 2002), tennis, squash, cycling, birdwatching, photography and computers.
Sunday, June 15, 2008
Lost and found - sermon from Luke 15:3-7
Lost and found - Luke 15:3-7
Sermon delivered in Lobatse on Fathers Day, 15 June 2008.
As I explained two Sundays ago, the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son is more focused upon the group of the sinners and tax collectors, rather than an individual. Although this parable has one central theme, being the joy over the lost that was found, I believe that there is also much to be learnt looking at the different moments within the story, and their relation to situations in real life.
To get lost is easier than we often think. I and my wife had a terrible experience in Game City the other day. I was paying for some groceries, and Elzeth and Jana went on to another shop. She saw Marnel at my trolley, and thought that I realised it.
I did not realise that she was with me, and also did not notice that she was straying, whilst looking at all the beautiful things on the shelves. I paid for the groceries, and proceeded to my wife, where we realised that Marnel was lost!
In the church of Christ it is interesting how people view others as lost. Often those who drink too much, sleep together outside marriage, or do not come to church are viewed as lost. It is also interesting on how people see the reasons for being “lost”. Those who are lost will blame the church for not looking after them well enough, whilst the church will blame them for not staying with the herd. The story is told of the congregation who remarked to the pastor that it is some while since he has seen him. The pastor remarked that that was strange, because he (the pastor) is in church every Sunday!
Perhaps this remark of the pastor is why the church of Christ is not concerned that much about those who are lost anymore. For the sheep in the flock (those who are going to church) it is often convenient to have lost sheep outside. Because in having lost sheep they do not only have enough to gossip about, but they also feel better about themselves, for being close to the shepherd, and not lost! They are also concerned about their own needs, and has a problem when the shepherd has to leave them alone to go and look for the other sheep.
But there is another disconcerting aspect about the pastor’s answer, that he is in church every Sunday. People often don’t realise how difficult it is for a sheep that is lost, to find it’s way back on its own. This sheep is in foreign territory. It is exhausted by the terror and anguish of being alone. It was running all over to look for the flock, without success. It is exhausted, and does not have the energy to return to the flock. Furthermore this sheep does not know what awaits him when he eventually arrives at the flock… Possibly a lot of angry faces that says: “Where have you been? Why did you not listen?... and so forth.”
When I and Elzeth found out that Marnel was not with us, we ran back franticly to the shop where she was last seen. We were concerned to find her as soon as possible. We thank the Lord for a security guard who took her to management, where she waited for us.
Yes brothers and sisters, whilst it was convenient for the Pharisees and teachers of the law to compare themselves and their deeds with the tax collectors and sinners, this was not how Jesus felt. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, left them behind, to go and look for the lost sheep. He did not come for the perfectly healthy, but he came for those who needed a doctor. (Mark 2:17)
Do we really realise how much Jesus feels for every member of the church? Like a father with only one or two children he will hurry after the lost one, and assist him to return. Yes, in the parable of the lost sheep this shepherd had to carry the sheep on his shoulders back to the flock. It was too weak to walk on its own. It needed continuous support to return.
Yes, dear friends, we must also realise that it takes effort to bring lost sheep back to the church. It needs the concern and love and endurance of a Father’s heart. A father who will walk the extra mile to save his children... a father who is even prepared to carry the lost on his shoulders… a father who will not give up looking easily.
But as I mentioned in the beginning, the central theme of these parables lies with the way in which the sheep is accepted when it comes back. It is not only embraced by the shepherd and lifted unto its shoulders, but it is also the reason for a feast! The shepherd calls his friends to rejoice with him, and they rejoice together about the lost sheep that was found.
And I believe that this is the greatest challenge of the church in 2008 also. My concern is often not the fact that the lost can be searched for and found, but that the congregants at home will look upon those who are found with scepticism and judgement, as the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were doing.
It is therefore a joyous occasion for us to celebrate the confirmation of a new member into our congregation today. We must realise that even in the formular we are urged as a congregation to accept this member and his family into our midst, to support him, and to keep walking together in future, encouraging one another to keep close together to the herd.
But it is also true that the really lost are discovered when the lost are found. In Luke 15:18 we see that the lost son’s older brother refused to go in when his brother came back. Yes, brothers and sisters, Jesus often repeated to the Pharisees that even some of those who preached will be thrown into hell. Even some who has driven out demons and performed miracles will have to stand outside. Let us therefore rejoice today at this confirmation, and keep on looking for the lost, and bringing them towards God’s flock.
I conclude with the story from my own experience. Years ago in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, there was a professor at University, and a man destined to become one of the great leaders of the church, that committed adultery. He was stripped of all his positions in the church. He was aware that he did commit a sin, and confessed it, but could not continue in his ministry. After some years we as students invited him to lecture at one of our outreach preparations. He came and assisted us greatly. From there on he was gradually accepted back into the church, and today he is recognised and his talents are used in the church to the furtherance of the kingdom, even here in Botswana.
But I would not forget the day when I, some time after his re-acceptance into the church, attended one of his courses. When the attendees of the course were introduced, he paused when it came to me, and told the others that I was the first person from the Dutch Reformed Church to invite him again to minister after his problems, and that he will always remain thankful to me for that.
May we continuously think about the way in which we accept others, and what enormous potential the Lord can unleash if we are really following his command in Luke 15!
AMEN!
Sermon delivered in Lobatse on Fathers Day, 15 June 2008.
As I explained two Sundays ago, the parables of the lost sheep, the lost coin, and the lost son is more focused upon the group of the sinners and tax collectors, rather than an individual. Although this parable has one central theme, being the joy over the lost that was found, I believe that there is also much to be learnt looking at the different moments within the story, and their relation to situations in real life.
To get lost is easier than we often think. I and my wife had a terrible experience in Game City the other day. I was paying for some groceries, and Elzeth and Jana went on to another shop. She saw Marnel at my trolley, and thought that I realised it.
I did not realise that she was with me, and also did not notice that she was straying, whilst looking at all the beautiful things on the shelves. I paid for the groceries, and proceeded to my wife, where we realised that Marnel was lost!
In the church of Christ it is interesting how people view others as lost. Often those who drink too much, sleep together outside marriage, or do not come to church are viewed as lost. It is also interesting on how people see the reasons for being “lost”. Those who are lost will blame the church for not looking after them well enough, whilst the church will blame them for not staying with the herd. The story is told of the congregation who remarked to the pastor that it is some while since he has seen him. The pastor remarked that that was strange, because he (the pastor) is in church every Sunday!
Perhaps this remark of the pastor is why the church of Christ is not concerned that much about those who are lost anymore. For the sheep in the flock (those who are going to church) it is often convenient to have lost sheep outside. Because in having lost sheep they do not only have enough to gossip about, but they also feel better about themselves, for being close to the shepherd, and not lost! They are also concerned about their own needs, and has a problem when the shepherd has to leave them alone to go and look for the other sheep.
But there is another disconcerting aspect about the pastor’s answer, that he is in church every Sunday. People often don’t realise how difficult it is for a sheep that is lost, to find it’s way back on its own. This sheep is in foreign territory. It is exhausted by the terror and anguish of being alone. It was running all over to look for the flock, without success. It is exhausted, and does not have the energy to return to the flock. Furthermore this sheep does not know what awaits him when he eventually arrives at the flock… Possibly a lot of angry faces that says: “Where have you been? Why did you not listen?... and so forth.”
When I and Elzeth found out that Marnel was not with us, we ran back franticly to the shop where she was last seen. We were concerned to find her as soon as possible. We thank the Lord for a security guard who took her to management, where she waited for us.
Yes brothers and sisters, whilst it was convenient for the Pharisees and teachers of the law to compare themselves and their deeds with the tax collectors and sinners, this was not how Jesus felt. Jesus, the Good Shepherd, left them behind, to go and look for the lost sheep. He did not come for the perfectly healthy, but he came for those who needed a doctor. (Mark 2:17)
Do we really realise how much Jesus feels for every member of the church? Like a father with only one or two children he will hurry after the lost one, and assist him to return. Yes, in the parable of the lost sheep this shepherd had to carry the sheep on his shoulders back to the flock. It was too weak to walk on its own. It needed continuous support to return.
Yes, dear friends, we must also realise that it takes effort to bring lost sheep back to the church. It needs the concern and love and endurance of a Father’s heart. A father who will walk the extra mile to save his children... a father who is even prepared to carry the lost on his shoulders… a father who will not give up looking easily.
But as I mentioned in the beginning, the central theme of these parables lies with the way in which the sheep is accepted when it comes back. It is not only embraced by the shepherd and lifted unto its shoulders, but it is also the reason for a feast! The shepherd calls his friends to rejoice with him, and they rejoice together about the lost sheep that was found.
And I believe that this is the greatest challenge of the church in 2008 also. My concern is often not the fact that the lost can be searched for and found, but that the congregants at home will look upon those who are found with scepticism and judgement, as the Pharisees and the teachers of the law were doing.
It is therefore a joyous occasion for us to celebrate the confirmation of a new member into our congregation today. We must realise that even in the formular we are urged as a congregation to accept this member and his family into our midst, to support him, and to keep walking together in future, encouraging one another to keep close together to the herd.
But it is also true that the really lost are discovered when the lost are found. In Luke 15:18 we see that the lost son’s older brother refused to go in when his brother came back. Yes, brothers and sisters, Jesus often repeated to the Pharisees that even some of those who preached will be thrown into hell. Even some who has driven out demons and performed miracles will have to stand outside. Let us therefore rejoice today at this confirmation, and keep on looking for the lost, and bringing them towards God’s flock.
I conclude with the story from my own experience. Years ago in the Dutch Reformed Church in South Africa, there was a professor at University, and a man destined to become one of the great leaders of the church, that committed adultery. He was stripped of all his positions in the church. He was aware that he did commit a sin, and confessed it, but could not continue in his ministry. After some years we as students invited him to lecture at one of our outreach preparations. He came and assisted us greatly. From there on he was gradually accepted back into the church, and today he is recognised and his talents are used in the church to the furtherance of the kingdom, even here in Botswana.
But I would not forget the day when I, some time after his re-acceptance into the church, attended one of his courses. When the attendees of the course were introduced, he paused when it came to me, and told the others that I was the first person from the Dutch Reformed Church to invite him again to minister after his problems, and that he will always remain thankful to me for that.
May we continuously think about the way in which we accept others, and what enormous potential the Lord can unleash if we are really following his command in Luke 15!
AMEN!
Monday, June 9, 2008
Sikwane Circuit executive report - 7 June 2008
Report from the Circuit Executive Committee for the period 2007/2008.
7 Junie 2008
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is with gratitude to the Lord our Father that I am presenting this report at the first meeting of the Sikwane Circuit Executive in Maun. To stand here in the newly built church is just a sign of the fact that the Lord is still extending His Kingdom through the DRCB, despite many difficulties.
In a sense the year 2008 was a very difficult year for the Circuit Executive Committee. Not only did we have problems with members in our committee, but we also gave special attention to the disciplinary case from the DRCB Gaborone Case.
As most of you know, the main case that the Circuit was dealing with was the three cases against church council members, brought in by the Church Council of Gaborone. The first case was against Prop. Nkolonyane and deaconess Molefe for not leaving the meeting at the instruction of the chairperson, the second was for deaconess Molefe referring to the expatriate members of the church council as “baeng”, or visitors/foreigners, and the third was against Prop. Nkolonyane, deaconess Molefe, and elder Moseki for going to the ministry without exhausting the proper channels within the church.
The executive committee tried its best to solve the case, but due to several constraints it was not possible. Therefore this case has been handed over to the Reconciliation committee, being Prop. Mooketsi, Mr. Steinberg, and Mrs. Kalayamore, who will have an opportunity to report back later in our meeting today.
A disconcerting factor in this case was also the fact that the Synod gave an oral directive to the Circuit that “all the decisions that they have taken was wrong”. Although this directive was followed up with a letter from them, they never liaised with the Circuit Committee in this regard, and also never contacted the committee to provide any information to them. The committee has taken this up by requesting a meeting with the Moderamen, but up to date there was no reply from the Moderamen.
The Circuit has also dealt with Mr. Rampoo’s case. Mr. Rampoo is still arguing that he has the right to be licensed, although the feedback from the theological committee was that the Nehemiah Bible institute is “not registered” with the DRCB. The committee found that one of the main problems was the lack of written communication from the relevant committees to Mr. Rampoo regarding this case. This case has not been solved yet, and the new committee will have to liaise with the Theological Training committee in order to solve this issue.
Furthermore we also want to convey to the meeting that brother Metlaleng has indicated that he is busy with his studies at Kgolagano to become a pastor in the church. He has forwarded his letter to his church council, but we have not yet heard anything from them. We urge upon congregations also to be alert that the circuit needs a recommendation from them, in order to forward the request to the Theological Training Committee.
Furthermore it is evident that there are also problems at Mochudi – West congregation. It seems that the congregation has stopped Rev. Bogatsu’s stipend. Furthermore there were even an article in the daily news about problems with elders at the Bokaa ward, although these problems never reached the circuit in a formal way. The new committee will also have to attend to this case in detail.
The Circuit Executive is also still awaiting response from the Synod regarding the constitution, and for the past nine months it seems as if nothing has been happening in this regard. The circuit executive is very concerned about this, since the confusion concerning the constitution is just complicating the current disciplinary cases.
Last but not least, the evangelisation committee has requested permission for two outreaches to be held in Sikwane congregation, one in July, and also a 40 day outreach early next year. The circuit executive has approved this, and encourages the other congregations to participate there.
I thank the members of the Executive who cooperated well in difficult times, especially Mma Kempf who made a lot of effort to come all the way from Ghanzi for our meetings.
Yours in Christ Jesus.
Rev. J.M. Wessels.
7 Junie 2008
Dear brothers and sisters,
It is with gratitude to the Lord our Father that I am presenting this report at the first meeting of the Sikwane Circuit Executive in Maun. To stand here in the newly built church is just a sign of the fact that the Lord is still extending His Kingdom through the DRCB, despite many difficulties.
In a sense the year 2008 was a very difficult year for the Circuit Executive Committee. Not only did we have problems with members in our committee, but we also gave special attention to the disciplinary case from the DRCB Gaborone Case.
As most of you know, the main case that the Circuit was dealing with was the three cases against church council members, brought in by the Church Council of Gaborone. The first case was against Prop. Nkolonyane and deaconess Molefe for not leaving the meeting at the instruction of the chairperson, the second was for deaconess Molefe referring to the expatriate members of the church council as “baeng”, or visitors/foreigners, and the third was against Prop. Nkolonyane, deaconess Molefe, and elder Moseki for going to the ministry without exhausting the proper channels within the church.
The executive committee tried its best to solve the case, but due to several constraints it was not possible. Therefore this case has been handed over to the Reconciliation committee, being Prop. Mooketsi, Mr. Steinberg, and Mrs. Kalayamore, who will have an opportunity to report back later in our meeting today.
A disconcerting factor in this case was also the fact that the Synod gave an oral directive to the Circuit that “all the decisions that they have taken was wrong”. Although this directive was followed up with a letter from them, they never liaised with the Circuit Committee in this regard, and also never contacted the committee to provide any information to them. The committee has taken this up by requesting a meeting with the Moderamen, but up to date there was no reply from the Moderamen.
The Circuit has also dealt with Mr. Rampoo’s case. Mr. Rampoo is still arguing that he has the right to be licensed, although the feedback from the theological committee was that the Nehemiah Bible institute is “not registered” with the DRCB. The committee found that one of the main problems was the lack of written communication from the relevant committees to Mr. Rampoo regarding this case. This case has not been solved yet, and the new committee will have to liaise with the Theological Training committee in order to solve this issue.
Furthermore we also want to convey to the meeting that brother Metlaleng has indicated that he is busy with his studies at Kgolagano to become a pastor in the church. He has forwarded his letter to his church council, but we have not yet heard anything from them. We urge upon congregations also to be alert that the circuit needs a recommendation from them, in order to forward the request to the Theological Training Committee.
Furthermore it is evident that there are also problems at Mochudi – West congregation. It seems that the congregation has stopped Rev. Bogatsu’s stipend. Furthermore there were even an article in the daily news about problems with elders at the Bokaa ward, although these problems never reached the circuit in a formal way. The new committee will also have to attend to this case in detail.
The Circuit Executive is also still awaiting response from the Synod regarding the constitution, and for the past nine months it seems as if nothing has been happening in this regard. The circuit executive is very concerned about this, since the confusion concerning the constitution is just complicating the current disciplinary cases.
Last but not least, the evangelisation committee has requested permission for two outreaches to be held in Sikwane congregation, one in July, and also a 40 day outreach early next year. The circuit executive has approved this, and encourages the other congregations to participate there.
I thank the members of the Executive who cooperated well in difficult times, especially Mma Kempf who made a lot of effort to come all the way from Ghanzi for our meetings.
Yours in Christ Jesus.
Rev. J.M. Wessels.
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