With a procession of colorful flags and a lively band, the CWM family processed down the streets of eThekwini, South Africa, to officially begin the Assembly. Their pilgrimage landed them at Grace Family Church, where an Opening Worship celebrated the theme “Rise to Life: Together in Transformation.”
Before entering the church, they blessed a special place in the churchyard where a tree will be planted.
Rev. Daimon Mkandawire, CWM Mission Secretary-Ecology and Economy, and Africa Region, offered a special blessing over the sapling. “May it inspire us to plant sees of hope, justice, and love in our communities and beyond,” he said.
Warm welcome
CWM General Secretary Rev. Dr Jooseop Keum welcomed more than 250 CWM delegates and guests in the congregation.
“We bring with us our hopes, dreams, and prayers of our communities,” he said. “We gather not merely as a representatives of our respective member churches but we gather to affirm as one Body of Christ united in our mission to proclaim the good news of Jesus Christ to a troubled and suffering world.”
Rev. Dr Lungile Mpetsheni, General Secretary of the Uniting Presbyterian Church in Southern Africa, welcomed all to Africa.
“I am welcoming you to the land of the brave people, to the land of the warriors who fought over the years against all forms of colonialism,” he said. “Welcome to the land of the men and women of valor.”
Africa’s inclusive environment is ideal for a spirit of Rise to Life,” he added. “You coming to Africa is also a way for you to help us Rise to Life.”
Cllr Nompumelelo Ignatia Sithole, PR Councillor for Ethekwini Municipality, shared a message on behalf of the Office of the Mayor.
“We are grateful to the organisers for choosing our city as a venue of choice for this beautiful event,” she said. “The church has always played a critical role in galvanizing society. As the government, we understand that we cannot defeat the social ills ravaging our communities alone. We all know that the struggle for justice and freedom in this country is supported by the church.”
Revival in the land
Outgoing CWM Moderator Rt Rev. Lydia Neshangwe delivered a sermon on how the Holy Spirit is poured out on everyone—children, old people, men, women, and even those who seem unworthy to society.
“How can the Holy Spirit ignore the hierarchy of the land?” she asked. “How can the Holy Spirit ignore the hierarchy of the Holy Temple?”
In biblical times, it was a very dangerous setting in which to equalize everyone with an outpouring of the Holy Spirit. “The Holy Spirit is troublemaking. The Holy Spirit is an insurgent in our lives,” she said. “The Holy Spirit is dangerous to our common beliefs.”
And it’s not just a spoonful of the Holy Spirit, she added. “You are soaked in the Holy Spirit, and when you begin to prophecy, you Rise to Life, and when we Rise to Life we are going to cause a revival in the land,” she said.
