A GROUP of dedicated church leaders are taking to local taxi ranks, loud hailers in hand, to minister to commuters while handing out complimentary masks.
Many church leaders have not physically interacted with their congregations since March.
They are simultaneously anxious about Covid fatigue, laxed hygiene protocols, hunger and mental health issues among their communities and are looking for an opportunity to minister and engage.
A solution to this challenge is literally to go to where the people are – taxi ranks and homes.
“We wanted to help the public, and to pray in public and private spaces. We were looking for an opportunity to share the gospel while practically making a difference.” said Andile Mafa, general secretary of YMCA UKZN.
In a response to Covid 19, church leaders have gathered together in LEANS (Local Ecumenical Action Network) to support each other and to work together.
The South Central region works closely with three LEAN groupings – Glenwood/Umbilo,greater Cato Manor and Westville.
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Typically LEANS leverage relationships with other churches and civil society organisations in order to provide the best response for their churches and communities.
The churches combined response initiative is rooted in the KwaZulu-Natal Christian Council (KZNCC) and its affiliates.
Through the LEAN network, relief and care can be efficiently focused to avoid overlaps and to maximise resources.
Three key areas of focus currently among church leaders are hygiene protocol support, food relief and counselling services.
Ministers engage with people on the ground
Pro-active church leaders in greater Cato Manor, working with leaders from Westville, identify families in need to visit in their homes to provide spiritual and emotional support, and to deliver food parcels.
“Visiting homes allows minsters to check on home situations first-hand. Apart from home visits, ministers are also handing out free masks at taxi ranks. Both provide tangible opportunities for ministers to engage personally and practically with people.”
These interventions provide more than food and mask distribution opportunities, but also mechanisms to meet and talk to people and offer words of scripture and encouragement.
The food programme is co-ordinated by a team of three pastors and involves the services of 20 pastors each of whom does community service around his / her church, identifying families who need food, while doing hands-on community profiling.
On average, 600 meals are prepared and shared every week.
The Cato Manor hub for this project is Eternal Life Ministries, where meals are prepared and then distributed.
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“This system is effective. Actually we see a need for this kitchen and distribution network to remain in place beyond Covid-19. Of course, donations would help its sustainability!” said Andile.
“As church leaders we need to get a sense of where people are at. Now that we don’t meet as churches, we don’t know how communities are doing. We remind people not to be afraid of sharing their stories, and not to be ashamed of being in need. Humility requires courage, and without courage, we fail to be humble,” he said.
Andile said they are not just feeding communities but endorsing the education and awareness of Covid-19, reminding people to be responsible citizens.
“We distribute washable / reusable masks which are donated to us and encourage commuters to wear masks properly – especially now we are in Level 2 and people are tired of lockdown protocols.”
Caxton Local Media Covid-19 reporting
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At the time of going to press, the contents of this feature mirrored South Africa’s lockdown regulations.
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