Africa-Press – Botswana. Christians should give willingly, generously and joyfully because God loves cheerful givers.
Giving a sermon at the Ramotswa United Congregational Church of Southern Africa (UCCSA) annual harvest and thanksgiving service, the president of the church, Reverend Rupert Hambira took congregants on a journey of reflection, noting Nehemiah’s pivotal role to restore Jerusalem after the Babylonian exile.
The church service was themed: Harvest and Thanksgiving, A Yearly Christian Discipleship Commitment.He said Nehemiah’s divine plan to mobilise the community for the monumental task of rebuilding the city walls exemplified sacrificial giving.
Reverend Hambira also noted that Paul, once a fierce persecutor of the early Christian church, underwent a radical transformation and emerged as a tireless advocate of the gospel. He said Paul imparted a timeless principle of giving, emphasising the joyous and willing nature of giving that sprung from a heart attuned to God’s grace. “As we enter this harvest and thanksgiving service may our hearts resonate with Nehemiah and Paul’s examples.” he said, also urging congregants not to view the gathering as a mere tradition, but as a sacred commitment, a tangible expression of discipleship rooted in gratitude, generosity and dedication to advancing God’s kingdom.
Reverend Hambira said the thanksgiving component of the church, also known as Thobo, was the backbone of the church’s existence and urged congregants to keep the fire burning.
He said it was the responsibility of every generation to advance the Gospel and that people reached adulthood and choices. “Our choices are potent seeds in the fertile soil of existence destined to yield a harvest,” he said.
Reverend Hambira is the third Motswana to be inducted president of the UCCSA since its inception in 1967. The church found in Botswana, Namibia, South Africa, Mozambique and Zimbabwe.
Outgoing Taung UCCSA preacher, Reverend Bonolo Mmereki-Burns applauded her brethren for their undying spirit of commitment to bring thanks to God for the harvest.
“We bring the first fruit of the harvest unto you as we acknowledge you to be the giver,” she said.
Reverend Mmereki-Burns said despite being a small congregation the Taung branch had made commendable strides over the past three years.
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