A vital element of training for ministry is practical experience in evangelism and missions. Every year, during the mid-year holidays, our students are involved in mission trips across South Africa and neighbouring countries. This year GWC sent seven teams to churches across South Africa and to Namibia where they served through participating in Sunday church services, prayer meetings, kids’ holiday clubs and Sunday school, Bible studies and evangelism.
“As part of GWC’s ministry week, I was sent to Kwa-Zulu Natal, where I served in a Children’s Holiday Club in St John’s Church in Umlazi. This was such an amazing experience as I learnt so much about another culture and serving in a very different context. Because I don’t speak Zulu, communicating with the team and children in Umlazi was a bit of a challenge, but also a great blessing. It showed me how no matter what language someone speaks, the love of Christ has no language and actions do really speak louder than words. House visits, sharing my testimony, praying for those in the church, leading a ladies’ Bible study with a translator and singing Zulu songs that I don’t really understand were all things that both grew and encouraged me and I am truly grateful for the opportunity.” (Lara van Rooyen, BTh 1)
“Two colleagues and I served in Christ Church, Pinetown (Durban). Spending time in the context of a local church reminded me that the goal of theological education is not to build my resume but to be shaped to serve the Church.” (Mensah Ameyaw, BTh 3)
Under the leadership of Rev. Ross Anderson, the college has been rolling out new modules in missiology across the BTh curriculum. It is exciting to see our students apply the lessons learned in these classes as they participate in God’s mission to the world.