Closing the Gap between the Church and the Community: A Social Action initiative by Mt. Zion AME Church
Mandisa Skibane, On behalf of Public Relations, Mt. Zion
In celebration of the BOY Child, the Mt. Zion African Methodist Episcopal (AME) Church Bloemfontein and friends of the church rallied together to raise more than 500+ toiletry products to donate to the Boy Child. The initiative was the brainchild of the Reverend Thabo Matsaseng, a local pastor of the Batho location, who saw a need for the church to honour and celebrate the boy child.
Fifty gift bags were donated to 50 learners identified by the school. In the bag were two of each item: toothbrushes, toothpaste, bathing cloths, deodorant roll-on, soaps, and a body lotion.
On Wednesday, 30 August 2023, in collaboration with Sehunelo Secondary School, under the leadership of Principal Mme Tsitsing, the AME Church congregation and the Rev. Matsaseng gathered with learners and the staff for praise and worship at their assembly.
Reading from the book of Proverbs 6:20-23: “My child, keep your father’s commandment, and do not forsake your mother’s teaching. 21 Bind them upon your heart always; tie them around your neck. 22 When you walk, they will lead you; when you lie down, they[b] will watch over you; and when you awake, they will talk with you.23 For the commandment is a lamp and the teaching a light, and the reproofs of discipline are the way of life.”
Message theme: “The love and care of a Boy child and the importance of Education.” The Rev. Matsaseng drove home the importance of grooming and active participation in a boy child’s life. Referring to the scripture, he mentions that it truly takes a village to raise good men. It will take the help of Teachers, the community, and the church to ensure that our boys, as a nation, grow up to be great and honourable men.
Over the recent years, Bloemfontein has seen a rise in gang-related crimes, especially those in high schools. This rise affects boys more than girls, as they are recruited and groomed to facilitate hate crimes amongst each other. It is, therefore, important for different stakeholders (parents, teachers, communities, and the church) to come together and give guidance to combat and teach the boy child a different way of living and existing.
This initiative is a start to embracing the growing mind of a boy. They, too, matter; they are future leaders who need an environment they can grow and flourish. The gifts are a reminder that though they face challenges, especially peer pressure, the church cares about them, will pray for them, and will not sit back and watch them destroy their future.
Inside each beneficiary’s bag of toiletries was a message saying: you are amazing, you are important, you are special, you are unique, you are precious, you are loved! This message was elaborated to all pupils gathered at the assembly by the Rev. Matsaseng, in addition to the words of encouragement.
