27 Aug 2017

Members of the United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) converged on Francistown Saturday to celebrate the church’s golden jubilee.

Speaking at the celebrations held at Marang UCCSA under the theme: Ebenezer, With God Everything is Possible, the synod chairperson, Reverend John Motswai said the church was started in October 1967 in Durban.

He said celebrations by the Botswana synod were the beginning of the celebrations that would bring together all the churches from South Africa, Botswana, Zimbabwe, Mozambique and Namibia.

Reverend Motswai said the five countries would celebrate in Durban under the theme: Reaching New Frontiers: Hope for Healing.

He said the celebrations would give the church time to reflect on its contributions towards nation building in Botswana.

Reverend Motswai said UCCSA contributed to both the education and the health sector in Botswana through schools such as Moeding College and hospitals such as Letsholathebe and Scottish Livingstone hospitals.

Some schools, he said, had been taken over by government.

One of the founding fathers of UCCSA, Reverend Kgolo Mokobi said the birth of UCCSA from the London Missionary Society (LMS) was not an easy task.

He noted that the church had only a few members as some still associated themselves with LMS.

He implored those who still associated with LMS to join the UCCSA as the former no longer existed in Southern Africa.

To celebrate, the church held a special service at the new Marang UCCSA church building which saw the cutting of the golden jubilee cake.

Reverends, evangelists and members who made a significant contribution in the 50 years of the church’s existence were awarded certificates.

A gospel festival wrapped up the day with performances by local and international artists from South Africa at the Francistown Sports Complex. Ends