The Spirit of God Moves Mightily in South Africa
By Rev. Dr. Alice Crenshaw, 8thEpiscopal District
The Rev. Chief Simon Dipholo, the pastor of Jordan Temple AME Church, invited the Rev. Dr. Alice Hubbard Crenshaw, the pastor of Solomon Chapel AME Church in Cleveland, Mississippi, to the Provinces of Gauteng in South Africa. Dr. Crenshaw presented workshops from Friday-Tuesday. On Sunday morning, Presiding Elder B. J. Motaung of the D.S. Modisapodi requested Pastor Crenshaw preach in his stead at Sir Thomas Culliana AME Church in Tembisa, Gauteng, South Africa, known as “the Promise Land and Hope.”
My Lord, what an experience! There were approximately 55-65 children and young people in Sunday School from ages three and up, not including the adults present. Church school looked like 11:00 am morning service. There was a mighty cloud of witnesses that participated in the church school at 8:00 am in the morning. The members worshipped God in praise and dance for more than an hour. As the service progressed, the church members increased to 450 persons and filled the house beyond capacity. The people of God praised and worshipped the Lord until 12:00 noon without stopping. After Presiding Elder Motaung completed the business of his quarter, lunch was served in the parsonage.
Later that afternoon, the presiding elder had Dr. Crenshaw present a workshop entitled “Church Ethics and Administration” during his District Meeting which was held at Jordan Temple. Monday night, trustees were trained; and Tuesday, stewards were trained. Each was provided certificates signed by Presiding Elder Motaung, Pastor Dipholo, and Dr. Crenshaw as the trainer. Those members who received training were presented their certificates the following Sunday by the Rt. Rev. Paul J.M. Kawimbe, presiding prelate of the 19thEpiscopal District.
Revival services opened on Wednesday night by Dr. Crenshaw. The glory of the Lord reigned down upon the body of Christ by the power of the Holy Ghost. Praise and worship glorified the Lord. There was powerful singing offered up to God and his people through Nompucuko and Mbali members of the Jordan Temple AME Church Choir. The Spirit of God moved upon His people who were opened to receive him.
While in South Africa, Dr. Crenshaw attended the Global Development Council meeting in Maseru, Lesotho at the AVANI Lesotho Hotel. It is a landlocked kingdom city in the sky. One can’t tell by observation but Gauteng means “Place of Gold” in the Sotho languages. It is the smallest province in South Africa but also the richest, rowdiest, and busiest city to experience. The people in these venues are constantly going and coming and transportation seems to move 24/7.
There is so much rich history in our Zion. I learned that the Ethiopian Church was united in 1892 with the AME Church in South Africa. It later became the 14th Episcopal District of the AME Church. May God continue to richly bless the AME Church.
