FMCSA Nothern KZN Easter Convention 2023
Sicabazini village like many communities in South Africa experiences many challenges of poverty, unemployment, and lack of running water to mention just a few. As a result, the people from these areas do not always attend meetings in other places, so it then makes sense to take the convention to them in order to reach them.
Organizing such big events in places like these has its own challenges, like lack of electricity supply, lack of water, beds, accommodation for sleeping over, and eating utensils. However, in thanking God for the oversupply of these Superintendent Rev. E Mthiyane said, “God provided enough of all these needs for the duration of the gathering.”
The church experienced the power of God when it comes to water and electricity problems during the event. Although the church has three water tanks, they are always empty because the community members normally use them without permission. They decided to pray to God to send rain just closer to the days of the convention so that they could have enough water for the event. Indeed, God answered their prayers as one of the members said, “On Monday, 3 April, it rained and gave us just enough water to sustain the gathering for the weekend.He is Jehovah-Jireh, God our Provider, who is never early or late in giving us what we need. There was also a constant supply of electrical power throughout the event”
The preaching of the Word, testimonies, prayers, and singing were in abundance, great, and reviving. Preachers prepared their sermons and preached with unction. Time of testimonies was provided for in the program and young and old used it. Prayers of thanksgiving and supplication were offered. Singing was the highlight of the gathering. In their preparations for this gathering, they did not include a public address sound system. This was because they were not sure of the electricity supply. The absence of a sound system and musical instruments helped them to rediscover their African ability to use voices without the help of musical instruments. In the program, they intentionally dedicated 2 hours exclusively to singing hymns from Icilongo Levangeli and Amagama Okuhlabelela hymn books in what they called: The Conference of Song.
Rev. Mthiyane was very happy with the success of the conference when he said, “The last time Esicabazini Circuit hosted a gathering of this magnitude was in 2014. It was the dedication of their worship building. A sizeable number of those who attended were their first time visiting this circuit. Most of them were those who became members of the FMC after 2014 and others were old members who did not attend the dedication ceremony. The venue was well prepared for the gathering and easily accommodated those who needed to sleep in”
