Western Cape SCO

Since Portia and I joined the full time staff the SCO

in 2007, it has been a great joy serving Christ in the

midst of students. During 2007, several events were

organized, which brought glory and praise to Jesus.

These events included: camps, conferences,

weekly fellowship meetings, Preachers Forum(s),

open-air evangelistic events, just to mention a few.

I am glad that God, in His sovereignty, was pleased to use these events, and functions to bring some to the saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. Some were spurred on into a deeper relationship with Jesus, while others got an opportunity to serve fellow humans. We have been blessed to have such young people, who are serving the Lord with grace, passion, and undying love for the students. Coupled with that, the three branches which constitute the HIS in the province are working closer than ever.

We’ve been engaging team building exercises, provincial prayers, Se'skona training sessions and an Easter Conference. These, are evidences that God is at work with, through, and in us as a province within HIS. For these, and many more, we give all glory to God, through Jesus Christ, in the Holy Spirit.

The future of HIS in the Western Cape is in the hands of God. It is difficult, and probably dangerous to speculate, however, we trust God to continue blessing the ministry of SCO in this province.

The immediate past seems to be setting precedence, and if that is so, then there should be no reason for any alarm. I am of the view that the words of Christ - "He who is not with me is against me, and he who does not gather with me, scatters" (Luke 11:23) will be critical as we project into the future. Join me to trust God for a brighter future!

One of the greatest challenges facing HIS is and will be on how to incorporate the non- Nguni speakers into SCO. Our Universities are multi-racial, and multi-cultural. Such a dynamic MUST be appropriated into how the events, functions, conferences, and services of SCO are facilitated. My experience is that there is still insensitivity and sometimes intolerance to those who - either by choice or otherwise - do not speak either Xhosa or Zulu. In some in- stances, SCO functions are facilitated in Xhosa/Zulu (Nguni), i.e songs, testimonies, announcements, open-air preaching, etc -leaving a large section of SCO members, and adherents out. Is this XENOPHOBIA within HIS at the Western Cape?

My plea, is that those who belong to the Nguni communities should (MUST) rise above tribal biases, and serve Christ, in His (Christ's) own terms.

It has been a great joy to see students come to Christ, find a place of discipleship, and service within SCO.