22 Dec 2016

For one to become an ordained minister, seems to be a tall order.

People fail to resonate that ministers of word are human beings made with flesh and blood and they have flaws like any other.

But the one thing that separates them from the rest is that they have the predestined ability and the goodwill to interpret God’s word and meaning into people’s lives for their salvation.

They are the centerfold or the bridge between men and God.

During Reverend Ophaketse Kgerethwa farewell service in Sehithwa, The Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) was noted for its contribution to spreading the gospel and most of all for producing ministers of valuable repute who had an impact in changing people’s lives.

Reverend Kgerethwa is precisely this type of minister.

During his farewell, the atmosphere was doom and gloom as the congregation had mixed feelings about his departure.

Nonethetheless one thing was clear, Reverend Kgerethwa did his part with sincerity.

One of the speakers at the event Mr Mophutholodi Raditse described Reverend Kgerethwa’s 19- year tenor in ministerial-hood as outstanding, addinbg that the reverend was indeed a rare breed.

Mr Raditse noted that Reverend Kgerethwa was always calm and collected when carrying out his daily duties.

He acknowledged him as a loving individual always ready to give an ear where it was needed most. Above all he was and still is humble.

“I have worked under the grace of Reverend Kgerethwa since his youthful days when he was starting out in Gumare in 1995.

The one thing that always amazed me about him is that he was always in a prayerful mood.

I would wake up to him bending in his knees praying without ceasing, snubbing the fact that there is somebody in the room.’’

Mr Raditsi explained that the most heartwarming factor about Reverend Kgerethwa was his sweet and melodic voice as well as his regard to singing and dancing at all times.

He is forever in a jubilant mood in which the congregation loudly agreed in solitude with ululations and laughter.

Reverend Kgerethwa started his teaching practice in Etsha 13.

A few years later he was ordained a minister and he prospered.

He was christened and baptized in 1956 and he came from a solid Christian background.

‘‘Being a minister is a calling.  I tried to run away from this vocation as part of me believed teaching is my destiny.  One day when I was in a deep sleep, I heard a voice saying unto me; it is time to dwell in the house of the Lord and resume your calling.  Theologically, when one is visited by the voice of

God one listens. Just like Samuel took heed of God’s calling and obeyed,” said Reverend Kgerethwa.

In an instant he enrolled in Kgolagano College of Education in 1986 to 1992 and did his Diploma in Theology.

In 1995, he recalls, he was stationed in Gumare but he also branched out to other subdivisions in surrounding villages like Etsha, Shakawe and Nokaneng.

Even though he was still new in Ministry, there was a lot to be done.

He discovered that Gumare Branch didn’t have a proper infrastructure, they were attending church service in a thatched mud house.

Kgerethwa later urged the congregation to build a modern brick house from scratch which they reluctantly agreed.

‘‘It took a lot of convincing and sacrifice to urge them to contribute money towards the new building.

I ended up popping out money of my own and together we built the house of God up to the roof level.

Sadly, In 1999 I was transferred to Maun before we could complete the building,” said Reverend Kgerethwa.

In 1999 to 2004 he worked tirelessly in Maun Branch instilling a sense of hopefulness and anticipation, touching many lives of those close and distant to him.

He still maintained the same standard he demolished the mud building and built an up-to-standard 21^st century buiding.

When the congregation was about to complete the building, he was again transferred to Letlhakane in 2005-2007.

In Letlhakane the unthinkable happened, he was met by the same fate.

He found another incomplete building. Shockingly, Reverend Kgerethwa mentions that in that instant, he connected the dot and realised that God was guiding him to this place.

He wanted him to complete the church infrastructure in Letlhakane since he did not complete those in Gumare and Maun. ENDS