Hundreds of Pietermaritzburg residents gathered together in the city hall last Tuesday to pray for PMB. This meeting was unusual in that it was initiated, organized and hosted by the youth committee of the ‘Choose-Zikhethele’ mission to Pietermaritzburg, a joint initiative between African Enterprise and the churches of PMB.

The meeting opened with vibrant singing of both modern praise and worship songs and older, well-loved hymns. Those gathered were then led to pray for the city of Pietermaritzburg in the areas of relationships, education, morality and leadership. Interspersed throughout the programme were testimonies of youngsters who had left behind lives of promiscuity, drugs and hopelessness and chose to walk a different path in Christ Jesus.

‘Choose-Zikhethele’ is a colloquial Zulu term meaning ‘the choice is yours’. The citizens of PMB can choose honesty over corruption, purity over promiscuity, responsibility over carelessness, life in Christ over death, the city itself being molded and shaped by the choices of its citizens.

The prayer evening was part of the mission which will extend throughout 2012 and beyond, with an intensive week of focus from the 12-19 August 2012.

On Thursday 8 March, AE’s international CEO, Stephen Lungu, preached at UBI’s (Union Bible Insitute) chapel service. He was met with great excitment, especially from the students who are using his book ‘Out of the Black Shadows’ as a text book for their English Literacy class.

Mr Murray from UBI welcomed Stephen in Chichewa, much to the uproarious enthusiasm of the other students.

Stephen then shared a brief message based on the themes of the book he is currently working on ‘Treasures of Darkness’, in which he deals with his journey in forgiveness and inner healing.

He shared how we can experience God’s blessing even in our times of darkness because He, in His love for us, uses these times to discipline us. He shared around the themes of: the Discipline of Delay; the Discipline of Discrimination; the Discipline of Discomfort;  amongst others. The central theme being that often in times of great trial God is doing something within us for our good, and using difficult circumstances to position us for His Glory and our good.

After the chapel service the students flocked to Stephen so that he could sign their books and they could have photos with him. Many shared how they found his story encouraging and gave them hope for their own lives.Click to view slideshow.

Students come from all over South Africa and beyond, with pastors from Lesotho, Nigeria and Zambia joining the group. They come from numerous denominations and churches, working in various ministries as pastors, women’s workers, choir masters and youth pastors.

Thabo Phenduka, who has already completed 2 of the 6 subjects making up the preliminary level of the certificate, says “I like this course for the simple reason that it is teaching us what is the content of the Bible. It is very encouraging to be taught how to preach what is in the Bible, and not just stories that are not in the Bible.”

George Naidoo, who is attending for the first time, says “I can truly declare that the course is both instructional and inspirational. I have benefitted and I highly recommend it.”

The courses are generally wonderful times of fellowship and learning, and already there is great hilarity as people get to know each other and encourage each other in their service of the Lord.

For more information about enrolling in the Preliminary Certificate of Theology, an internationally acclaimed course administered by Moore Theological College in Sydney Australia, contact Darien Khlentzos at 0713676711 or dkhlentzos@ae.org.za

The name chosen for this mission is ‘Choose-Zikhethele’, a colloquial Zulu term meaning ‘the choice is yours’.

With Pietermaritzburg being known as ‘The City of Choice’ the steering committee felt that this name was apt, as we are presenting the people of Pietermaritzburg with the opportunity to choose Christ and the resurrection life that He brings. The scripture for the mission is taken from Joshua 24:15, “… choose for yourselves this day whom you will serve.” (Joshua 24: 15). See below some updates on the mission process from some of the mission committees:

PRAYER COMMITTEE

At the latest Prayer Committee meeting at the Church of the Vow in Longmarket Street, the committee took time to submit themselves on their knees before God. They prayed specifically against the stronghold of colonialism in PMB. As someone of British descent, Mrs Orton stood vulnerable and broken before the committee to ask for forgiveness. She laid her fears bare in front of all and this opened people’s hearts to cry out to God. The Church of PMB needs to be one. Colonial attitudes need to be forgiven.

In response a young Xhosa lady prayed and encouraged people to also feel free to celebrate their heritage and different cultures, not to feel guilty for their diversity. “It is not sinful to be White, Xhosa, Afrikaans, or Zulu – pride is the sin,” she said.

At the meeting it was felt that there was a shift in the atmosphere, in the spiritual realm as they prayed – unity will now flow in PMB. It was felt that the tears shed during prayer were washing away the blood on which the church, and the nation of South Africa, had been built. The venue of the Church of the Vow being symbolic as it was built to commemorate a famous Boer victory of the Zulu.

The Prayer Committee brings people of different race groups and denominations together. These are people who share a passion for prayer, intercession and who love their city – Pietermaritzburg. This Committee is lead by Pastor Daya Chetty, Pastor Alan Bester, Mrs Buyisile Cele and Ronelle Muragan. They meet once a month and have many exciting prayer events planned for the year. For more information please email Ronelle on rmuragan@ae.org.za

The next City wide prayer event is planned for 13 March 2012, 7 pm. Venue TBC.

YOUTH COMMITTEE

The youth committee meet on the 18 February at God’s Family Life Centre in PMB. There was great excitement over the coverage of the Natal Witness of the youth prayer march they had organised at the end of January! Some of the main areas of focus going forward for the Youth Committee, are the use of the Forgood social media platform, planning events in their zones in which to engage youth in churches to get involved in the mission process, or to bring along non-believing friends, and the prayer rally on the 13 March.

Forgood: The committee will be mobilising youth to use the Forgood social media platform (www.forgood.co.za) to connect with others in the city and to better learn the needs of the city. It is hoped that this media platform can be used to add momentum to a movement ‘for good’ across the city.

Prayer Rally: The next city-wide prayer rally will be held on Tuesday 13 March. This time the meeting will be organised and lead by the Youth Committee, in partnership with the Prayer Committee. We are expectant to see how their fresh approach will energise the prayer life of the city. One of the key areas of attention for this prayer rally is to insure that more cultures and churches are represented and catered for.

Future Meetings: If you would like to join the Youth Committee at any of their future meetings please make note of the following dates:

17th March – 7am – Breakthrough Church (43 Boom Street)
21st April – 7am – God’s Family Life Centre (271 Boshoff Street)
19th May – 7am – City Harvest Church – (160 Church Street)

SOCIAL DEEDS & JUSTICE COMMITTEE

The Social Deeds and Justice committee also met on Saturday 18 February. Ps Vincent who is heading up this committee said that their main objective is to glorify the Lord Jesus Christ and they hope to do this by ‘showing’ the people the Good News through deeds. They seek to do this through addressing key areas such as:

HIV/AIDS: Partnering with existing organisations and initiatives, this sub-committee is hoping to organise HIV Counselling and Testing Events, monthly prayer meetings for those infected or affected, as well as drama workshops to facilitate expression and communication.

Education: Ps Sinatra, an ex school principal shared his passion to see educational excellence in schools by motivating teachers and learners. As a pilot project, with the help of the Department of Education, they will identify the top 4 schools, visit them and find out what their best practices are, and then to visit the worst 4 schools and share this with them: seeking to affirm what is working and to build up and strengthen what is weak.

Food and clothing bank: Through synergising with others already hard at work in the city, this sub-committee hopes to see a central distribution centre set up where people can bring their contributions and from which they can be distributed to those in need.

Justice: This sub-committee will focus on women and child abuse and hopes to provide counselling and a safe place for victims to speak out.

Health: The focus of this sub-committee is on the whole person and their relationship within their communities, as well as to help churches minister to health related issues in their communities.

DISABILITY COMMITTEE

The Disability Committee also met on Saturday 18 February at St John’s Church. Barbara Watt from AE’s disAbility Connexion shared some background on the mission to Pieternaritzburg and discussed how the disabled of the city could be accommodated to serve in the mission and how those who are disabled who had not heard the Good News could be reached. Some ideas discussed were the use of websites such as ‘Ramp up’ and also providing ‘Testimony Training’ to Christian disabled people to prepare them for the mission. If you would like to be involved with this committee please email Barbara on bwatt@ae.org.za.

AE promoted our Foxfire programme to learners at a careers day hosted by Hilton College on Friday 17 February. This event was sponsored by the Vula Programme in conjunction with PROTEC Pietermaritzburg.

Five to six hundred grade 12 learners attended the event and the following schools were represented: Nsikayethu CS School, Russell High, Haythorne Secondary, Asibemunye High, Injoloba Secondary, Shayabantu High and M. L. Sultan.

The day started with presentations to the leaners by UKZN, DUT and Umgungundlovu FET. The learners then went on to learn more about 30 odd companies and organizations which had display stands.

AE’s stand was cheerfully manned by Pros Ndimande, our corporate fundraiser, and Jessica and Malusi from the Foxfire team, who engaged extremely well with the learners. It was great that our representatives were bilingual, as most of the learners spoke Zulu as their 1st language.

At the AE display stand learners were given a flyer informing them about the Foxfire programme along with contact details, as well as the Student Edition of Faith for Daily Living.

Around 50 learners signed up wanting to join the Foxfire programme in 2013, which was very encouraging.

From the 20 – 23 August 2012 we will be celebrating our Anniversary after 50 years of ministry on the African Continent!

During this time we will not only be looking back in thanksgiving for all that the Lord has done over the past 50 years, but also looking forward in anticipation to the future of this ministry.

Michael Cassidy’s vision to “Evangelise the Cities of Africa through Word and Deed in Partnership with the Church”, led to the first city-wide mission facilitated by AE, in Pietermaritzburg in 1962. And 50 years later we will be holding another city-wide mission in the same city!

Following the mission, which will run from 12-19 August 2012, we will be hosting 4 days of Jubilee Celebrations from the 20-23 August 2012.

Celebrations

As well as celebrating the past 50 years, and some of the great evangelists that have journeyed with Michael, over this time, we will be looking forward with anticipation toall that lies ahead. Speakers from all over Africa, and beyond, will be sharing a retrospective and prophetic view on the state of the Church in Africa and the world.

These Speakers include:

• Michael Cassidy – Founder of African Enterprise
• Stephen Lungu – CEO of African Enterprise
• Our current Team Leaders will present their stories
• Bishop Edward Muhima of Uganda– Past AE International Chairman and past Team Leader of AEE Uganda
• Rev Judy Mbugua of Kenya– Founder of Ladies Home care Fellowship, Lecturer with Haggai Institute, Vice President of AD2000 Women’s Track
• John Senyonyi – Vice Chancellor of Uganda Christian University – currently on the International Board
• Rev Frank Chikane – President of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa. He is a former Director General of the presidency of South Africa under President Thabo Mbeki from 1999 until 2010
• Raphaël Anzenberger – the General Secretary of France Evangelization
• Victoria Wilson- Canada/Uganda. Daughter of the late Rev. John Wilson
• Luis Palau – Luis Palau and his ministry have shared the Gospel with more than 1 billion people through evangelistic events and media. He has spoken in person to 25 million people in 72 countries with more than 1 million registered decisions for Jesus Christ. He has authored close to 50 books and countless articles on issues of faith, and has counselled with business and political leaders and heads of state around the world

There will also be ample opportunity to meet with the African team leaders and Board members from 10 different countries on the continent, as well as Directors and Board members from the Support Boards.

In addition, we will be holding a special gala dinner and other evening entertainments/ and day trips to surrounding areas of interest.

3 Night Safari Tour after Jubilee celebrations

As well as celebrating and learning together, there will also be an opportunity to enjoy the beauty of God’s creation in the KwaZulu Natal Province with a 3 night bus tour safari being offered at the end of the Celebrations, from 24-27 August 2012.

Places to be visited include:

• St Lucia Estuary and Crocodile Breeding Centre
• Hluhluwe Game Reserve – both night and day game drives
• Shakaland – learn the history of Shaka Zulu and that of the Zulu nation

For a more detailed itinerary, click here.

Please note there are only 80 places on this safari trip, so it will be best to reply early to book a place!!

RSVP your interest!

If you would be interested in joining us, please print out this form (download here) and post or fax it back to Hloni Letuka, our Celebrations co-ordinator.

For more information on prices in USD, click here, for prices in ZAR click here.

Michael Cassidy recently completed his latest book on John 17 and the church and sent it off to a publisher in London. Please pray that the book is met with favour and they decide to publish! We are sure that it will be a great blessing to many!

Enjoy the photos of Michael and his editorial team celebrating finishing the manuscript!

For more information on the members of the 2012 Foxfire Team, click here.

You are invited to meet the 2012 Foxfire team at their special commissioning service!

Date: Saturday 18 February 2012
Time: Starts at 5pm
Venue: African Enterprise Jabulani Lapa
Dress code: Casual
RSVP: To Biggie Paul on 033 347 1911 / 033 347 7022 or email bpaul@ae.org.za
Feel free to bring family & friends along.

We will be Commissioning the new Foxfire Team to go out into South Africa to share the Good News of Jesus Christ! For more information on our Foxfire Youth Ministry visit our website here.