Aug 18, 2022 | 1. Impact - Feature Frontpage, Impact Stories, Uncategorized
Kidz At Heart (KAH), in partnership with Walk Thru the Bible, in June 2022, held a training event for people who minister to children in the rural villages of Limpopo. This included people working with children in churches, in drop-off centres, in informal Bible Schools and also pastors.
The training for 60 people who minister to children was conducted by Johannesburg-based instructors along with local instructors from Mooketsi in Limpopo.
We celebrate the fact that there are now local instructors with a heart for children, who have been mentored and can continue with this valuable work in an area where there is a great need for training.
Testimonies from the excited group of attendees who will nurture these children are so encouraging…
“I have learnt to keep each lesson fun and that all I do or teach glorifies God. I feel like I am on the right path to teach children the right way.” ~Marianda
“Training was very helpful to me and the children of the village I’m living in.” ~ Mpho, Sunday School Teacher.
“This wonderful training brings the Bible to everyday life.”~ Tintsualo.
“The training is excellent in helping us to teach and nurture children with different levels of intelligence. It also emphasised that God is relational and we need to build a relationship with Him.” ~ Mohale.
“I will now teach to accommodate each child’s personality because each child is different.” ~ Frida.
“The course was an enlightenment. God gave me new revelations for the Scriptures I have read many times before.” ~ Pastor.
“My heart is filled with joy and I learned that ministering to children is what my heart loves.” ~Tesogo.
For more information on KidZ at Heart, please click here.
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Jun 22, 2022 | 1. Impact - Feature Frontpage, Impact - Walk Thru the Bible, Impact Stories, Uncategorized
Instructor Mpho Khumalo taught otLIVE to a group ranging from 12 to 32 year olds at a youth camp in Nooitgedacht, Muldersdrift, over the holidays. The course ran over three sessions. The attendees were enthusiastic and spent their spare time rehearsing the signs with their teams in a friendly competition.
“Actually, they loved it!”
Mpho explained, “At first, they were hesitant to take part – but with an overview of the key people, the key events and the key places of the Old Testament, they were encouraged to attempt it. So, overall, they enjoyed otLIVE. Actually, they loved it!”
The group was especially moved by the explanation of Passover, and during the discussion about this, five young people gave their lives to Christ as they recognized Him as their Passover lamb. Well done Mpho for helping these young people understand the big picture of God’s story, the ultimate source of truth!
otLIVE is Walk Thru the Bible’s live Old Testament overview event. This event unpacks the big picture of the Old Testament in an exciting, engaging way that will help to ignite a passion for God’s Word.
For more information about otLIVE, please click here
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Jun 20, 2021 | News, PartnerUpdate, Uncategorized
Pandemic life-change / What Jesus would do / Unexpected superpower / Power through prayer / Unlock the treasures / Who we are
Life-change amidst the pandemic.
Reaching and teaching children is a core ministry value. With families in distress, an otLIVE instructor has found creative ways to minister to community children. “…you can see that the children have just been yearning for this!” See Xolani’s impact
Doing what Jesus would do.
Bringing hope and meeting needs within the community. “We are trying to be with the people, and share with the people, and re-connect them with the church.” After just a few minutes of conversation with Pastor Praise Nkosi, you get a sense of the burden that he carries for his community…
The unexpected path to superpower.
Do you ever wonder? In light of the extravagant promises of God, why divine power isn’t just oozing from your pores because of Christ who lives within you. Consider with Chris Tiegreen…
God’s power through prayer!
Inspire your church members to fall in love with talking to God daily. Launch the 40 Days of Prayer spiritual growth campaign today, and take your congregation on a journey to an authentic and powerful life of prayer. Available in English and Afrikaans. Your six-week journey of discovery starts here
Unlock the treasures of God’s Word for others.
The otLIVE event unpacks the big picture of the Old Testament in an exciting, engaging way that brings people together and ignites a passion for God’s Word… in less time than you ever thought possible! An otLIVE instructor is a very special person who is devoted to God’s Word and eager to ignite that same passion in others. Be trained to teach the otLIVE Live Event yourself.
God’s Word is hope to our communities. For more than 30 years, Walk Thru the Bible Southern Africa has been committed to helping people everywhere live God’s Word. We have partnered with people, like you, who are passionate about making the Bible known, people who know what it’s like to live a life forever transformed by the Word, people who want to change the world and make an eternal impact. That’s why we exist. We help ignite a passion for God’s Word in people’s hearts through innovative live events and transformational resources. And every day we offer God’s truth to a broken world with this certainty: The Bible changes everything. Now, step in the story
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Dec 5, 2020 | 1. Impact - Feature Frontpage, Impact - High Impact Network, Impact - ttt4c, Impact - Walk Thru the Bible, Impact Stories, Uncategorized
Walk Thru the Bible Southern Africa through its associated entity turn the tide 4 children (ttt4c) provides monthly financial support to church-run projects which minister to vulnerable children. These projects are actively involved in Bible teaching and discipling children, as well as meeting some of their physical needs.
Pastor Praise Nkosi from Living Hope Tabernacle in Soweto shares the story of the children’s project run by his church. And after just a few minutes of conversation with him, you get a sense of the burden that he carries for his people…
“Due to initial government restrictions, we had to adapt our aftercare Eagle Youth Empowerment Project – where we ministered to children on a daily basis. So, we had to think differently. Because the people in the community are suffering, we decided to distribute food parcels to the families of children that we were feeding at the aftercare. We had to identify those who were struggling the most and we have now been providing food parcels to 50 families every month.”
According to a volunteer at the aftercare, Somi Sifile:
“There are many difficulties facing the families of the children in aftercare. It is painful. Most families are not working, and many people live in one house. There are problems with child neglect and drinking. Some parents are unable to care for their kids. We are trying to do what Jesus would do. We are trying to be with the people and share with the people and re-connect them with the church.
Please pray for strength and wisdom to encourage the volunteers in this work – that we might bring hope as we meet needs within our community. Please also pray for us for wisdom to best meet the needs of those in the aftercare.”
Jun 29, 2020 | 1. Impact - Feature Frontpage, Impact - Walk Thru the Bible, Impact Stories, Uncategorized
Pastor Matthews Vilakazi is a man with a vision and a man on a mission:
“I want to be a light to people.
I want to encourage them. I want to be able to share and teach even more.”
And not even the tough restrictions imposed by South Africa’s strict Covid 19 Lockdown have deterred him.
Pastor of Mount of Olives Ministries based in Duduza, he also ministers in KwaThema and Tsakane on Johannesburg’s East Rand. He is a busy man, who balances his time between pastoring and teaching his congregation and working in steel work and maintenance. Pastor Vilakazi is one of the pastors who was equipped at Walk Thru the Bible’s Pastor Circle events.
Launched in 2019, Pastor’s Circle is a new initiative from Walk Thru the Bible Southern Africa which encourages Bible teaching by providing easy-to-use sermons and tools for pastors, as well as a network of support. The aim of Pastor’s Circle is to support the local church – recognizing that pastors face immense challenges that often include time constraints, and sometimes a lack of resources and training.
Prior to Lockdown, Pastor Vilakazi had already been doing live teaching of the Pastor’s Circle sermon series: Choices that Change Your Life Forever (based on Crucible and the life of David) and the sermon series Finding Purpose When Life Doesn’t Make Sense (based on Detour and the life of Joseph). He had already, prior to the Lockdown, reached over 647 people with this material, doing live teaching for at least 10 different groups.
“But I believe God was preparing me to continue teaching this material using technology – even before the government imposed its restrictions.”
Previously as I was teaching the various groups, I got into the habit of recording my teaching. That way, the messages could be used at our church plants in other areas like Tembisa and KwaZulu Natal. And I could also send the message to anyone in my home church who had missed the live teaching.
Now since the Lockdown was imposed and we were unable to meet together in person, I have organized with various groups, that I send them recorded teachings and sermons using WhatsApp. So, I have been able to teach the new sermon series Finding Purpose When Life Doesn’t Make Sense to eleven groups, a total of 798 people, since the Lockdown started.”
The groups that he sends the sermons to are carefully compiled. Some of these are Bible Study groups that he had previously established. Others are groups of people that he has specifically targeted within his community and taught before. Still others are made up people who hear about the sermons, and then ask to also receive them.
“Many times, I will meet someone and after interacting with them for a while, and once they hear what I am doing, they want to be included to receive the sermons. I have also received requests from people I didn’t know before, saying they have heard about these teachings and asking me to send them these sermons and teaching.
After listening to the sermons, the group participants also message me in response. Or otherwise, I contact them to follow up. We have also been able to ‘meet’ afterwards on Facebook to discuss with the people what they have been learning.
I have had so many encouraging messages back in response to these sermons. There are so many people who feel that life doesn’t make sense right now. These teachings based on Detour bring hope and are so relevant. People in my community are facing many challenges with job losses and food security. Everything is worse during this Covid 19 Crisis and people are dejected.
Detour reminds us that just like with Joseph, when things don’t always appear to make sense, God has not forgotten us and is still at work. He will use the challenges and difficulties we go through for His Glory. Just three weeks ago, I heard the testimony of a pastor who for the last two years had given up on Jesus and was demotivated. But now, because of these teachings on Detour, he is starting to develop a positiveness again.
These same sermons have also appealed to non-believers. They tell me: “This teaching brings knowledge and light. All along I had been living without purpose.”
“My wife, Matilda, is together with me in this ministry and she has also been able to teach the sermons on Finding Purpose When Life Doesn’t Make Sense to her ‘Sisters for Life’ Woman’s groups – which reach out to women in our community.”
“These same sermons on Detour have also spoken to me personally…”
“You know, you cannot give what you do not have. Once I have received what is good, I have a passion to pass it on and bring encouragement to others. And these sermons from Walk Thru the Bible’s Pastor’s Circle are good!
I grew up in the church and my father was a leader. From a young age, I was always interested and prepared to learn from others. And now I am learning from Pastor’s Circle.
What I really appreciate about Pastor’s Circle is the ready and easy-to-use sermons. This material brings light and is so easy to follow. The sermons have really helped me as a pastor with my preparation and study. The sermons have good order and structure and fill me up with more ideas. Every time I preach these sermons, I myself advance and learn more.
I will continue to bring God’s Word to people. Walk Thru the Bible’s Pastor’s Circle is helping with this.”
For more information on Pastor’s Circle please click here
Dec 7, 2019 | 1. Impact - Feature Frontpage, Impact - Walk Thru the Bible, Impact Stories, Uncategorized
Pastor’s Circle is Walk Thru the Bible’s new initiative to encourage Bible teaching by providing easy to use sermons and tools for pastors – as well as a network of support and encouragement.
Following the launch of the pilot of Pastor’s Circle in September 2019, we received many encouraging testimonies – both about the need for Pastor’s Circle and about the relevance of the sermon messages:
Pastor Joseph Mokhoethi:
I have many pressures and limited time to prepare my sermons. I am convinced that Pastors Circle and this material is of God. This is something that boosts me. I can take it and run with it. I can apply it, preach it and bring my own story to it.
Oupa Nkgau:
The content and teaching in these sermon tools is 100%. The messages in the sermon tools will help to heal me first, and then I can bring the message to my people. You know, sometimes, we can be ignorant or scared to face hard issues – but these sermon tools will help!
Pastor Saki Moeketsi:
Pastors are very excited about Pastor’s Circle. It so helpful to have direction with sermon points and to understand how to prepare the message so that we can preach it. This is part of the struggle that pastors face. Having sermons that follow after each other is a great help.
Pastor Bheki Dingiso – Arise and Shine Ministries:
Pastor’s Circle brings great content – that the Spirit convinces me is of God!
This will help me so much in my time of prayer and study to preach.
Xolani Mtanyelwa:
Our communities need these sermons. It reminds me of 2 Timothy 2:2 “And the things you have heard me say… entrust to reliable people, who will also be qualified to teach others”. That is what happened here today! Pastor’s Circle is pouring into us pastors so that we can go and influence our communities.
MacDonald Ntsele:
Pastor’s Circle will help a lot. It brings a new perspective. The sermons are easy to use, easy to understand and easy to take back to my people. I will use this to train the students in my Bible School. You know I see myself in some of these messages. I saw where I failed – and left God out of my life.
Pastor M:
I have been waiting for this. This is a blessing. I know Scripture, but today I have been equipped more as a pastor. I have experienced lots of giants, disappointments and challenges. I had decided I was quitting. But today, after attending pastor’s Circle, I got the courage to keep going.
Pastor Eddie Komane:
I love the interactive and inclusive nature of Pastor’s Circle and the sermons. This is different – it’s so refreshing and enlightening. The sermons are well researched and I could relate to them. The sermon tools are user friendly. This will be used to effectively advance the message of the Gospel.
Pastor Simon Otwang:
As a pastor I face many pressures. I am not supported by my congregants – and so I also have another job. There are also commitments to family. Always time is a problem – time to prepare my sermons. Pastor’s Circle will help me greatly with these ready to use sermons.
Sibusiso Mtshali:
Pastor’s Circle brought us closer as pastors. These are great sermon tools from Walk Thru the Bible and I will use them.
Pastor Solomon Mahlangu:
I am busy each day with many challenges – as a result I end up doing my sermon preparation late on a Saturday. These ready to use sermon tools will really make things easier. The content is relevant to my people.
Jacob Mina:
The sermon tools from Walk Thru the Bible are a great concept to help with the preaching of the Word. This will help me to grow as a pastor. I am definitely coming back to Pastor’s Circle!
Pastor Brain Mabena:
It is always a challenge to find time to prepare sermons and to find good material. The sermon tools from Walk Thru the Bible Pastor’s Circle will be so helpful.
Pastor Jeremiah Boshumange:
I often just don’t have the time I need to prepare sermons. This material from Pastor’s Circle will really help in conveying the message of our Lord.
Moses:
My ministry is really street preaching and evangelism – outside hospitals and to shift workers who don’t manage to get to church. I can use these sermon messages for this.
Lucky Gama:
Pastor’s Circle has helped me learn how to preach. It will help me a lot. I have little time to prepare sermons. Now I can use these sermon tools – I will pray and bring my stories to the messages too.
For more information on Pastor’s Circle please click here
