Bishop’s passing a loss to church
He has run his race victoriously and his family believes that Bishop Benjamin Jack Silinda is now at peace with the Lord. Since the death of the founder of Nazarene Revival Church, social media has been abuzz with messages of condolences and appreciation for a life "well lived."
ACORNHOEK – He has run his race victoriously and his family believes that Bishop Benjamin Jack Silinda is now at peace with the Lord.
Since the death of the founder of Nazarene Revival Church, social media has been abuzz with messages of condolences and appreciation for a life “well lived.”
“The honourable bishop, a man God has used to usher greater moves of revival in Bushbuckridge, has passed away and we celebrate his life. He ran well and he finished his course,” says Past Sublime Mkhonto on Facebook.
Silinda was not only a preacher of the Word, but he was also a well-known businessman in the Bushbuckridge area. With his wife, he ventured into business in 1955 when it was still very difficult for a black person to open and run a business.
“He was an entrepreneur of note in that he established businesses in Wales, Marite, Bushbuckridge, Acornhoek, Greenvalley, Ludlow, Casteel. He single-handedly changed many families’ financial struggles around because of his visionary leadership and selflessness,” said a local doctor, Dr Emmanuel Zwane.
Others remember the man they refer to as a martyr of faith for his involvement during the apartheid struggle.
“His trucks, buses and bakkies transported comrades to meetings and to safe places to hide them from the police. He even bought fuel from his own pocket and bought the comrades food.
It is sad that when we achieved our freedom, he was forgotten by the same people he had helped. He may not have been recognized by men, but heaven will reward him for his good deeds to mankind,” added Zwane.
Speaking on behalf of the Bushbuckridge Pastors Committee, Dr Richard Ngomane hailed Silinda for his selflessness and for preaching the message of salvation regardless of criticism he suffered from other pastors who did not understand his calling.
The bishop went to be with the Lord last Thursday at the age of 89, leaving behind his beloved wife, to whom he had been married to for 65 years, seven children, 26 grandchildren and 20 great-grandchildren. He leaves behind a legacy of over 200 churches and branches.
“The Christian fraternity has lost a martyr, champion and a giant of faith. The world will be poorer without him. He has fought a good fight. Let us all allow him to go and be with his Creator and rest eternally because he deserves just that,” added Zwane.
His funeral service will start at 07:00 on Saturday at the Nazarene Revival Church in Greenvalley.
