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The Celebration:
Rev Samuel Matunda summarizes his feelings over the 100 year celebrations of the
Reformed Church of Mozambique as follows: "The grace of God was great, and the celebration
was truly a celebration of unity and joy. The celebration was held from
3 to 6 June 2008 and reached its highlight on Vila Ulónguè in the North-West of Mozambique. The torchlight procession from Mlanda in Malawi to Mphatso in Mozambique, recalled memories
of Rev Andrew George Murray's epic ox-wagon journey from 100 years ago. He and William
Murray have chosen Mphatso as the first mission station of the church in Mozambique,
in 1908.
We were delighted that Rev Kobus Minnaar, legendary pioneer missionary, could
join the celebration. He handed the flaming torch, that symbolizes the gospel,
to Rev Atenasio Masina, moderator of the IRM's general synod. After that, the local
"administrador" and Rev Samuel Bassitala from the Mphatso synod, revealed the
monument that represents the unity between the 3 IRM synods. Rev Minnaar especially paid tribute
to Rev Pieter Botha, a great visionary of the IRM. Fortunately, Mrs Janet Botha,
his Widow was able to attend the celebration. She brought the history to life through
a slide-show that she presented. Her son-in-law, Rev. Willie Gouws, who himself
as been deeply involved in Mozambique, led the church sermon on the Saturday and
asked people not to look back to old religious and culture-specific traditions,
but to rather focus on Jesus.
Rev. Manie Taute and his wife came all the way from Portugal to attend the celebration.
Together he and Rev Wessel Bester, the first lecturer of Hefsiba, introduced the
first students from Hefsiba who still attended their classes in the church building
at Vila Ulonguè. |
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Rev Kobus Minnaar |
Short messages of greetings were given to the patient crowd by, amongst others,
the following people:
- Dr. Braam Hanekom: Moderator of the youngest synod from the Western Cape
- Dr Kobus Odendaal: Manager of the Testimonial Commission of the Western Cape family
of Dutch Reformed Churches
- Prof. Maarten Pauw: previous missionary secretary
- Dr. Marry-Ann Plaatjies-Van Huffel, assessor of the Western Cape Synod of the
United Reformed Church
- Rev Chris Eksteen: Dutch Reformed Church of Tulbach
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Dr. Elna Mouton and Mrs Jeanette Botha |
Dr. Braam Hanekom (with Rev Kruger du Preez translating) |
The highlight of the celebration was on Sunday, with relevant messages from Dr.
Nelus Niemandt,
assessor of the Dutch Reformed Church General Synod; Prof. Elna Mouton
from the Theological Faculty at Stellenbosch and church representatives from America,
the Netherlands, Zimbabwe and Malawi. The governor of the Tete-province also addressed
the crowd and praised the church for her support of the development of the people
of Mozambique: 'Without the aid of the church, the government cannot resolve the
poverty demand, neither the HIV/AIDS or other moral dilemmas - we need you - proceed
with urgency with your good work!'
We had a big group of South African citizens that attended the celebration and all
appreciated the good organization and food that was supplied, by the people of Mozambique.
The IRM Today
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The Igreja Reformada em Mocambique (IRM) currently consists of 62 congregations,
55 preachers and about 80,000 members. This is a fast-growing church that emphasizes the
need to reach out to the un-reached, Muslim-orientated tribes, especially in the
North-east of Mozambique. The involvement of the CCAP in Malawi; the Nkhoma-synod,
is remarkable! The continually send quality missionaries to Mozambique and undertake
all the costs involved themselves. Hefsiba, the Institute for Chrstian Higher Education,
plays a key role in the making of young preachers for this relative young, growing
church in Mozambique.
The motto of the Church was chosen in 1992 as Zach 4:6: 'Not by might nor by power,
but through the Holy Spirit'.
If was evident during the celebration that the Holy Spirit has big plans for this
church. All the support and prayers throughout the years have not been in vain. |
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Members of the Congregation |
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Mrs Jeanette Botha |
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