Church celebrates its second anniversary in Ivory Park

On March 23, SA Church of God in Christ (COGIC) Mission Fundraising celebrated its second anniversary at Tabernacle COGIC in Ivory Park Two.

SA COGIC Mission Fundraising chairperson Reckson Mahori said the South African COGIC missions department has the sole purpose to serve humanity and thereby fulfilling the great commission mediated by unfeigned love.

“It is at the core of the department to impart transformation through sound biblical teachings to people of all ages, ethnic groups and cultural backgrounds.

“In 2011 the missions department took the decision to travel to an African country once a year to serve the less fortunate communities and to build new churches. Those who are in need are given food parcels and clothes,” said Mahori.

He said the previous countries they have visited include Zimbabwe (2011), Lesotho (2013), Botswana (2016), Tanzania (2017), Ethiopia and North Dakota, USA (2018).

“This year two missionary teams will travel to Israel and Zambia to continue building churches and charity work.

“The missions department is led by a dedicated man of God, pastor John Magwati. In February 2017, he started fund-raising to help the missions department realise its vision,” he said.

Ever since the fund-raising team started, the following milestones were achieved:

• Building of six churches in Mbeya, Tanzania.

• Distributing of clothes and food parcels in Mbeya, Tanzania.

• Distributing of clothes and food parcels in Ethiopia.

• Distributing of clothes and food parcels in North Dakota, USA.

• Buying of tickets for young people to travel to Ethiopia in 2018 to do work for the ministry.

• Giving 30 chairs each to two new churches in Gauteng.

Missions president John Magwati said he is thankful to God for the huge successes they managed to achieve.

“For the future we need to raise more funds to send out as many people as we can to other nations in Africa and outside Africa to preach the message of Jesus Christ.

“We have a five-year plan we follow in the countries we are to visit.

“Our goal is to make sure we send young people to represent our churches,” said Magwati.

Senior pastor at Tabernacle COGIC David Mohlake commended the milestones achieved by the church throughout the years.

“We need finances to support what we are doing.

“Sometimes we send people as far as America and we need finances to do that.

“The fund-raising committee has been running for two years and we have seen so much success. Today we are celebrating their fund-raising work,” Mohlake added.

“The fund-raising team raises funds through donations, pledges and the selling of items like T-shirts, books and food.

“Those who are interested to help the mission can call the fund-raising chairperson, Reckson Mahori, on 078 488 0373,” Mahori explained.

Monetary donations can be deposited into the following bank account:

Bank name: Nedbank

Account holder: SA’s First Mission

Account number: 201 080 2675

Branch code: 198 765

Reference: Fund-raising