Local Christians, including a number of Ethiopian nationals, took to the streets recently to get a message of hope across to the community.
Marching under the banner of the Randfontein Christian Alliance, they distributed pamphlets and preached all the way from the taxi rank in the CBD to the Jehovah Rapha Ministries in Mohlakeng Extension 4, handing out food parcels, toys and other basic necessities to the needy as they went.
The aim was to create awareness of the campaign, ‘Randfontein For Jesus, Africa For Jesus’, a phrase which they continually chanted.
Shower Seleke, one of the organisers, explained, “The drive is more for reaching out to win souls and more followers for Jesus.” Seleke added that the drive was a Christian commitment and conviction.
Naomi Mekgwe, another organiser, said the campaign started three years ago with the Ethiopian community of Christians who form a congregation of the Randfontein Truths Church, based in Park Street in the Randfontein CBD.
“I do not see Ethiopians as other people, but rather as people who have been subjected to abuse as children of God. Our relationship with the Ethiopian community goes back to 2013, when they helped us to distribute food parcels at the Landfill informal settlement.”
Pastor Blessing Tau added that prior to this occasion, certain needy households were identified at both the formal and informal settlements in Mohlakeng to become beneficiaries of the group.
Bishop Abraham Mokoena, from Jehova Rapha Ministries, said that the giving of gifts is part of the Christmas spirit in which they believe.
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