LHM-SA Newsletter, JUNE 2004

In this Issue...

1. Ongoing Prison Ministry Training

On one of my recent visits to the Johannesburg Prison, 2nd June 2004 my students (inmates) requested that we have a discussion on ancestral worship. This was a challenge for me, as I have never researched something like this before.

After much prayer and delving into the word of God, I came across a book in our Lutheran Hour office library, entitled "CONCEPTS OF GOD IN AFRICA", by Professor John S Mbiti (Professor of Theology & Comparative Religion at Makere University in Uganda). This booklet has guidelines and examples of ancestral worship in Africa.

With the Word of God in my one hand and "CONCEPTS OF GOD IN AFRICA" in the other hand, Pastor Bethuel and I then proceeded to Johannesburg Prison. On my arrival approximately 70 of my students were eagerly awaiting the start of our session.

After our time of praise and worship together we got started on our topic for the day. The most important question that was raised was "IS IT WRONG OR RIGHT TO WORSHIP OUR ANCESTORS". With this in mind and our 70 students all with different ideas and opinions, we started our discussion.

In the booklet by Professor Mbiti, we read about the Basotho nation who can only speak to God by relating the message to their brother whether dead or alive. He in turn relates it to his father, who then relates it to his father, and so on. The Ngoni nation in prayer recites the names of their departed, fully expecting the departed member to intercede on their behalf to God.

A few of the prisoners agreed with the statements and said we cannot forget our ancestors, and that they should be called upon whenever there is a need, or whether we simply seek their advice and guidance on certain matters.

The other half of the students totally, disagreed and started quoting scriptures from the Bible - DEUTERONOMY 18:9-13 After much debating and searching of the scriptures, we came to the conclusion, that even though we must remember our ancestors with love and respect, there is only one way - JOHN 14:6 I AM THE WAY, THE TRUTH AND THE LIFE, NO ONE COMES TO THE FATHER BUT BY ME.

God is moving in a mighty and powerful way, yes, even in the prisons, where the hand of God is touching, changing and moving in the lives of these men. Please pray for us as we go into our following discussions on Gambling and Witchcraft.

LHM-SA invites all people interested in Prison Ministry workshops at UNISA. Total cost is R50 (incl. Registration fee, refreshments and lunch). Please note the dates and themes:

14 August – Loneliness, 18 September – Loss, 16 October- Friendship

By Lucas Baloyi



2. Hope for Churches in South Africa

At the Lutheran Church in Southern Africa (LCSA) celebration of "Ten Years of Indigenous Leadership" on the 15th May, keynote speaker, Dr David Molapo talked about HOPE. According to Dr Molapo South African churches doubt their indigenous leadership and are satisfied with a lesser standard. The present state of affairs is reflected in the slow or lacking church growth.

The Church needs HOPE, expressed in….

  1. A Positive Attitude. As children of God, we should always rejoice and be thankful.

  2. Setting Objectives. A) Political freedom to become the prophetic voice our society needs, but is too quiet and is looking to the government for assistance instead of looking to God. B) Psychological freedom to think big, because we serve a big God and to believe in true equality in Jesus of all people of different backgrounds. The past is past. We need to be the pioneers of the future. C) Academic freedom to grow and make the most of opportunities. All members should be trained in their area of ministry and get involved. D) Economic freedom as people learn the rich blessing of tithing and to make money their servant instead of their master. Double your giving in 2004! E) Spiritual freedom is freedom from fear to witness to others and obey the Great Commission. Something that the Lutheran Church is still working towards.

  3. Pursuing Excellence. Christians should be professional. We should strive to be the best that we can be and not be satisfied with mediocrity.

  4. Empowering Others. Christians receive Spiritual gifts, talents and then learn the right skills in God’s service. They are responsible to pass on their skills to others who can continue in the ministry.




3. Christian Drama: Integral Part of Youth Ministry

The performance of drama is not an unknown part of art. For the last fifty years drama has played a huge role in imitating the situations and pictures of life. The essence of drama performance is to express a truth, a story and a theme.

Dramatist also express the beauty and depth of the meaning of life.

The Church has realized how important drama ministry is, especially for our youth who face many challenges in their Christian faith. Through Christian drama they are confident in reaching many young people and families with the gospel message and how to help them to become stronger and committed in their Christian faith.

Part of this dream is already realized through the training in Drama ministry by Lutheran Hour Ministries-South Africa.

Our youth from Reiger Park, Wattville, Ennerdale and Eldorado Park had a dream to make drama ministry part of their ministry. The 40 young people are going through the training and have attended three training workshops since May 2004. These training workshops provided the youth with different skills in drama ministry.

During the months of August to December they will host shows in various congregations and communities. These shows will include singing by a youth Choir, Drama ministry, poetry by Pastor C.Barends and a Youth Gospel band.

We ask you to pray for this important ministry and the challenges they face so that our churches can be renewed, revived and transformed by the power of the Holy Spirit and that our needs are met in order for this dream to come true.

It is our hope that more youth groups will be trained in drama ministry. Please contact LHM-SA for more information on future Drama Training events.

By Rev. Christopher Barends



4. Changes on the LHM-SA Board

Rev Klaus Damaske (see picture) resigned from the LHM-SA Board due to increased involvement at the Tshwane Lutheran Seminary in Pretoria. We thank him for serving on our Board for the past five years and bringing Leadership and inspiration to the organisation! Rev Damaske also served on the Management Committee and assisted with doctrinal review matters.

A hearty welcome to Mr. Jason Ngobeni, who was elected onto the LHM-SA Board for a term of three years at the last meeting held on the 25th May. Mr Ngobeni is a member of the English Lutheran Fellowship in Randburg. He is married and has two daughters. He is the current City Treasurer of the Johannesburg Metropol.



5. Ministry Statistics

We have just completed our financial year-end and would like to share with you how richly the Lord has blessed us. The following statistics are what we at Lutheran Hour Ministries, with your help and the help of the Lord, have achieved over the last year. We’d like to really thank all our supporters who have prayed for us and continue to support our ministry with their blessings!

Drama Ministry- 3616 requests were received from inmates to enroll for our "Real Life" Bible Correspondence Course, for the "Break Free" and the "Jesus Christ" booklets, and for counseling and prayer.

Radio Ministry – 2814 people heard the Word of God and called in to receive our Topical booklets which were offered on Radio Pulpit on Wednesday mornings on the programme "Spotlight", produced by Doc Fick.

Web site Ministry - 582 requests were made from all over the world, some as far as Pakistan, for our material, prayer, counselling or for more information about out ministry.

Referrals – 51 people who requested help in finding a church were referred to Lutheran pastors and have since found a spiritual home. 203 inmates who asked for prayer and/or counselling were referred to our volunteers in the Johannesburg Prison.

Volunteers - 168 men and women of God who have so willingly given of their time to aid and assist in the ministry.

Donors - 131 people have supported our ministry financially and made it possible for us at Lutheran Hour to grow from strength to strength in His Name.

BCC - 2757 people from across the continent have requested our "Real Life" Bible Correspondence Course to study the Word of God. 542 students graduated and received their certification of completion.

Financial Support - We want to express our heartfelt appreciation to all our donors. In the past financial year, LHM-SA received a record sum of R 105,963.18 from local donors! We thank our heavenly Father who provided for His work in such an abundant way. May He bless all the givers and the gifts. It is through gifts like these that we are able to continue to bring the Word of God to those suffering without hope in their lives. God bless all of you for your strength and commitment to His work.










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