You’ve met Sibongiseni before in previous blogs and you may know him by his English name, Robert. Sibongiseni roughly translates, “Be thankful with me.” What a great name!

I first met Sibongiseni in June 2008 – on our first trip to South Africa. At the time, he was a leading regional sales manager of pool chemicals working full-time and heavily involved as a volunteer in a church plant in Adams Mission. He was acting in the capacity of pastor at the church plant as well as taking courses to further his studies! I quickly came to know Sibongiseni as a dedicated, hardworking, faithful leader who had an amazing heart for Bhekulwandle and adjacent areas.

We’ve been friends ever since. I have a deep respect for Sibongiseni, a man who has exhibited the highest level of integrity through many circumstances and trials. For years his dream was to pastor a church full time, but the needs of his family and the inability of the church to pay him a salary compelled him to retain his sales job – a career he excelled at. He gave countless hours after work towards church ministry.

For almost a year now, Sibongiseni has also been a member of the Seed of Hope board here in South Africa. He has spoken into the future direction of Seed of Hope and has been an important voice representing the needs of the community since he lives in Bhekulwandle. In late 2011 some difficult circumstances both at his sales job and at the church plant began to press Sibongiseni to consider what changes might be in his future. At the same time, Oasis church began to seek God on how to further bridge cultures in the Amanzimtoti area. It has been exciting to see these events result in Sibongiseni transitioning from his sales job into a full time paid pastoral role alongside Gareth Bowley at Oasis Church, the church we attend. We have been thrilled to see God’s gift to our church in Sibongiseni.

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When the committee formed, Sibongiseni was voted to be a part of it. But that’s not all: the committee recognized that, while they knew they needed to engage the church community to help address the issues of the community, they didn’t know how to proceed. So they formally asked Seed of Hope for help! We had been praying for community awakening which involves community members being the initiators in their own community development. This community engagement was a huge answer to prayer and evidence of God’s work. The Bhekulwandle community is beginning to believe that change is possible and that every member has a role to play.

We continue to marvel at how God brings the people to lead and inspire change. Sibongiseni, representing both Oasis Church and Seed of Hope Community Development is proving to be the ideal bridge between the suburban, mostly white churches and the community, as well as a bridge between Seed of Hope Community Development and the Zulu churches in the area. We are truly grateful that Sibongiseni has been both obedient and faithful to God’s call! We pray that through his leadership and our partnership together, lasting community development will happen.

DW