15 Nov 2017

Private Secretary to the Minister of Infrastructure and Housing Development, Mr Christopher Nyanga has congratulated Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) of Mmathubudukwane assembly for its 25 years of existence.

Speaking on behalf of the minister during the church anniversary celebration recently, Mr Nyanga has applauded the church for achieving such a milestone.

“Rome was not build in a day and it fits very well for the occasion,” he said.He said the church had made a mark in the village and the country at large as it had brought developments in the village and growth for all the people whose lives were touched and spirit lifted.

Mr Nyanga also said it was time the congregation was applauded for its tireless efforts despite the challenges faced in the journey to reach more people with the good news of the Lord Jesus Christ.

He also reminded the church about the role it played in the society adding that in today’s era, societies were plagued by moral decay such as drug and substance abuse, murder and violence adding that Batswana had not been spared from the unfortunate reality.

He challenged the church to rise and be counted upon to play a significant role in building a morally upright society.Mr Nyanga also urged the Mmathubudukwane congregants to work hard in serving the communities to the best of their capabilities.

He also encouraged them to seek and invite God in everything they do so that it becomes a success.

Briefing the guests and the congregation about the objective of the day, the church’s pastor Karabo Kgosisejo said it was time for the church to reflect and thank God for taking them this far.

He said as the church, their greatest commission was evangelism, preaching good news to the people aimed at improving behavioural change in the society.

Pastor Kgosisejo admitted that they had challenges but they managed to pull through by the grace of God.

He also said they pride themselves with the building as one of their achievements, and they had achieved this by the help of the Almighty God.

Giving a background of the church, the founder of the Living Faith Ministries, Bishop Michael Gaotloge who was the first pastor in the Mochudi assembly said the church branch was established in July 1992 and they used classes in Letsebe Primary School for services and later moved to Madikwe Junior School until they moved to the present site.

Bishop Gaotloge said during that time, it was the first Pentecostal church and it was a challenge to share the good news to the people. He said despite the challenges, they chose to endure in order to win souls for Christ.

Bishop Gaotloge appreciated the first seed they sow in the church, for they were still standing in the Lord and keeping the faith.

Pastor Alfred Ramotshabi, the former pastor to the assembly said by the time he came to Mmathubudukwane the church only had five congregants and that did not make him lose hope.

He said they started evangelism and held revivals in the school and Kgotla and they also made crusades during, which more souls were worn to Christ.

Pator Ramotshabi said they started to make pledges and raised funds for the church building as they were tired of using the school building.

He said on weekends they would clear the plot they were given to start the building.

AFM vice president, Pastor Tonka Rachabatsotlhe acknowledged the forefathers of the church for allowing themselves to be used by God by opening the church, despite the challenges they met to convict souls to the kingdom of God. BOPA