By Rev. Matthew Seawright, International RAYAC Editor
International President Jeremy Satterwhite’s opening statement reminded us of our founder’s statement that the church is not a building, nor a denomination, but a people.
He also said, “This group’s gathering is a declaration that RAYAC is not the future of the African Methodist Church; you are the present. You are the now, your energy, your creativity, your passion for justice and righteousness. These are not luxuries. These are necessities. They are vital to fulfilling our sacred mandate to preach the gospel, to serve the least of these, and to be agents of transformation in a world desperate for hope.”
Our worship leader, Dr. Lerato Lekomanyana, acknowledged that the Holy Spirit was indeed in the house and admonished us to take advantage of it! Similar to the Super Bowl, I did not understand all the language spoken, yet I was amongst a collective who understood what was being communicated. There was no doubt that the presence of the Holy Spirit was on full display. AFRICAN Methodism amongst a collective of countries and cultures with a collective tongue, singing praise and giving glory to God, enriched with Song and dance, was truly divine. No translation was necessary.
International RAYAC’s 2nd Vice President, Thembinkosi Kumalo, led a town hall-format workshop. He emphasized our identity and our ability to speak and sell others on our organization’s presence and purpose.
The prompt “RAYAC exists to…” encouraged engagement, brought clarification, and inspired hope for our future as leaders. Real engagement means leading others to opportunities to lead, not just executing someone else’s vision. To lead, differences in cultural mindset are recognized.
After talking with Rev. Grace Matsose of the 19th district, who is an itinerant deacon, I expressed my thanks to God and “congratulations” as she continues her journey in ministry. Cognizant that not everyone decides to listen to their hearts and say “yes” to God. She seemed confused by my statement. Her Response, “What I desire makes no never mind, it is only my obedience that matters.” The Converge experience has been a testament to both the people and their obedience at work – a vision fulfilled.
From this, I noticed that young adults within the GDC do not have a “What’s in it for me?” approach, but rather a “What has God charged me to do and to be?” approach to serving. Perspectively, I found myself “stressing” about waking up early to go downstairs to converge. At the same time, the convergence curator and others stayed a few minutes away, off-site, after driving almost 9 hours to Maputo. (Other young adults, in surrounding areas, could not attend at all due to the cost.)
As young adults in districts fourteen through twenty, the plan is to face these and other challenges “Little by little”, as preached by 18th District Christian Education Director, Rev. Zwelile Twala. Rev. Twala likened the International RAYAC to that of the people of Egypt in the book of Exodus. Hivites, Canaanites, and Hittites are present in endeavors towards the promised land. Nonetheless, the people were indeed promised land. They were also given land occupied by other people. Be reminded, “The Lord will not drive them out in one year”. We pace ourselves and fight our battles head-on with knowledge and wisdom. Your promise land and the person next to you’s promise land are not the same. Yet and still, each of us has a promised land.
One promise is that members of RAYAC will age out. Long-time leader in RAYAC, Bro. Sabota Mojaki expressed gratitude for his time served as an Officer in RAYAC. Having held roles on all three levels, his presence has truly been felt, impactful, and missed as he continues his kingdom work with the Lay Organization – a true testament to impactful possibilities within and outside of the RAYAC.
As shared by our International President, “This was more than a meeting. This was a movement. We are bound by something greater than ourselves – the cross, resurrection, and declaration of where two or three are gathered, God is in the midst. Go forth, loved by God, called by my Christ, and enabled by the Holy Spirit.”
One faith, many nations, one mission
Praise God, Blessings Flow
