Be a moja minister with JBC

Heita, Hola! Can you believe that we are just a few days from ending the year?

I don't know about you, but for me. This year flew like a blink of an eye. I mean one minute, I was enjoying a scrumptious breakfast and enjoying the fellowish with the new students from the Johannesburg Bible College.

The next, I see myself at a packed Rosebank Union Church where amongst other's graduating from the college class of 2024 class is Isibaya actor, Patrick Muziwakhe Mathabela. Mmm-hmm! I don't know how you feel, but I think the bar has been raised on the South African story telling side. Yes, you guessed it right. Almost all story tellers look to the book of life for inspiration. I mean even the most watched movies of all times have the Biblical themes,hate, love and jelousy and joy.

So, what a great way to start the year for me in February 2024 as I celebrated my 28th year walking with Jesus and than to be in a classroom full of freaks that loves the same man as I do. I mean to be so into the player of all players to a point that they will spend every morning between 7.30 am and 12:30 noon learning not only about him but the father of all creation. Yes, baby.. My year was very productive, entertaining and weight gaining too as I grabbed two slices of bread with peanut butter or jam. Or scrammbled egg and a filter coffee every morning before joining a group of Johannesburg based Bible freaks whose position in the different churches varies from ushering, choir, cleaner, pastoring, counselling and some just mere memembers of the church but want to grow in the Lord and understand his word.

The 20-year-old college which had partnered with Rays of Hope for class accommodation in 2024, Rosebank Union Church and The Kitchen restuarant which provided Wednesday fellowish lunches. Opened its doors to almost every one in Alexandra Township and surrounding areas three years ago.

I mean, it didn't matter which background you came from wether you passed matric or not.

As long as you could utter basic English and show initiative in wanting to learn and understand the Bible. The college's principal, Nat Schluter was eager to travel as far as United Kingdom and the United States of America to find someone who can sponsor a student who cant really afford to pay the now R19 500 fee or R2000 registration.

. Not only do they make you understand the Bible from Genesis to Revelation, they also encourage students to be more practical with the Bible in their every day life. I remember the very first term, as part of the practical of how to engage the word of God. The College had brought in people from journey South Africa, an organisation based in Johannesburg. They were so opened about some of the topics often church shy away to speak about.

I remember the speakers quite well, speaking about being gay and the church reaction. Another had struggled with keeping up with people's expectations and not living her life according to how she would like but rather what was expectated of her. A male guy came and spoke about how an absent father led to him being molested by a pastor that he trusted and looked up to.

He also kept this a secrete and allowed it to happen many times even though he didn't like it but wanted to please the man who had by then instilled all fears at him. If you thought, cigarrette was the only bad habit in life, think someone eating a jar of jam as a habbit everyday because they wanted to gain weight.

The third term was on another level as we had the annual Mission Day at the College. Some of the organisation who came to speak to us included Open Doors which work with persecuted churches, Mr Hendrick Chili highlighted how Christians were being killed in countries like Mozambique to a point that they now had underground churches. While Wits University resident pastor, Priviledge Tafirei said the gospel was needed most in at Universities. "People now hate Christianity because there are no faithfull Christians today. We have professional missioneries who care about budget yet the teaching about the gospel is needed most", said Tafirei.

In Africa, there are many countries where churches are persecuted yet they grow. One of those places is Nigeria. The church grew so fast in Nigeria that new believers have little chance to be discipled. According to operationworld in Nigeria, much of the division and false teaching enters into Nigerian churches mostly it is prosperity teaching which distorts the gospel. The fourth term was even on another level especially for us ladies. We got to attend the annual Women's Conference that was held at the the main campus in Auckland Park. One of the things that the college encourage is students volunteering either at the kitchen or in any of its event. I was fortunate to be the head usher girl at their third annual conference with the black and Gold theme. Here, I got to make new friends some as far as their Soweto branch. Others who had travelled all over the world to study at the Auckland Park Campus. Did you know that women need to take supplements when they are on their monthly period? I was really surprised when one of the speakers, Busi revealed this to all woman. The college offeres amongst others a Women Serving Chirst coourse. Like all their courses, you get a Ministry training course when done and it includes, Biblical womanhood, Women engaging with God's world, Communicating God's Word.

By the end of the courses, one is able to start a church with a full support from a body that support South African Churches. Or be effective members in their church. This year's students drew congregants from TBL ministries in Alexandra Township, Rhema Church, Anglican church in Pretoria, Christ Embassy, God Never Fails and Assemblies of God to mention but a few. Anyway, my year was fun and full loaded with everything about the Bible. I know everything is the result of the fall but will see if next year I will be able to stand infront of the audience and preach or like Bab' Patrick, I'm only good for camera's on TV. Anyway, as the president, Mr Cyril Ramaphosa asked during his innaugaratin in 2019 Whom shall I send, I will respond in a dance like the class of 2024.... THUMA MINA! For now please familiarise with your pastors in the following videos they are in no particular order: 1) Buti Lucas mama Rahab 2) mam Manina 3) 4) Sister Khanyi 5) Sister Mathabo 6) Brother Mbongeleni 7) Sister Lebo A bonus video is when the College pulled an Opera Winfrey on Alexandra branch pupils.