Umlazi Grace AME Church Dedication
By Rev. NNA Matyumza and Presiding Elder GP Lesito, 19thEpiscopal District Field Representative
On the 3June 2018, Umlazi Grace AME Church in Durban, in the Natal Conference of the 19thEpiscopal District, held a service of dedication of its new sanctuary as well as a thanksgiving service in appreciation of all who contributed towards the construction of the building. The Rt. Rev. Paul J.M. Kawimbe preached a powerful message under the subject, “A house of Praise, a House of Prayer, and a House of Power.” The 19thEpiscopal District Supervisor, Dr. Lister M. Kawimbe, Episcopal district office staff, presiding elders, pastors, and some members of the 19thEpiscopal District came to celebrate with the congregation. The family and friends of the Rev. N.N.A. Matyumza shared in this special moment. Bishop Kawimbe led the congregation in offering a special prayer for WBHO Construction and partners who were present at the service.
For years, Umlazi Grace AME Church struggled to get land in Umlazi, which is one of the oldest townships in South Africa, with more than 400,000 people. Whilst most mainline churches are well represented in Umlazi, the AME Church did not have a home in Umlazi and worshipped for years in schools.
In 2013, the Rev. Matyumza, the pastor of Umlazi Grace AME Church led the congregation in looking at trust land at Esidweni, an area known as eNgonyameni just outside of Umlazi. This area has infrastructure challenges, the major being no road access to the land allocated for the building. There is no running water and sanitation in the area. This resulted in challenges before the construction could start. The congregation trusts that all challenges will be resolved and the work inside the sanctuary will be completed shortly.
By the grace of God, a South African construction company, WBHO Construction (PTY) LTD, took a lead in the construction by providing materials, labour, and project management, assisted by its subcontractors. They constructed a building with a seating capacity of 400, two offices, a classroom, a kitchen, and his and hers ablution facilities. Currently, the building makes use of Jojo tanks for water supply and a septic tank for sanitation. The membership of Umlazi Grace is mainly children, youth, unemployed adults, and pensioners who believed that in spite of financial challenges, one day the church would have a sanctuary in Umlazi.
The major part of the work is done and the days of worshipping in a school are behind. The congregation is looking forward to a fully-equipped and functional place of worship that will bring hope and transformation to the community of Esidweni. This requires prayer, tireless effort, and dedicated service which will ensure the outstanding work comes to fruition.
In this, our journey, we have come to appreciate the truthfulness of Ecclesiastes 3:11a, “He has made everything suitable for its time” and Psalm 127:1, “Unless the Lord builds the house, those who build it labor in vain.” What seemed impossible to a small congregation was possible by the grace of God. The prayers and support we received, led by the presiding elder of the Durban District, the Rev. P.A. Mbambo gave us comfort that we are never on our own. To God be the glory!
