By Puisano News Reporter
It’s on! It’s happening! It is the 2023 Reunion Celebrations at the Phuthaditjhaba Assembly of the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa (the AFM) church in Qwaqwa in the Eastern Free State.
Celebrations started at the beginning of this month and will culminate with the main Reunion conference over this coming weekend and on Sunday, Pastor Thys Letsoho will be the preacher and the main speaker.
The Reunion is a gathering all former members, leaders, and pastors of the church who for various reasons, such as work, studies, business, and other commitments are staying in different parts of the country.
According to the church’s Presiding Pastor, Tsiu Tamme, the maiden reunion function was held on 12 September 2015 with the honouring of the church’s former Presiding Pastors, who are the late Emeritus Pastor Masusu Moshoeshoe Johannes Mofokeng, late Emeritus Lekhotla Michael Thito, current International President of the AFM, George Mphikeleli Mahlobo and Emeritus Moeketsi David Nyama.
Tamme said this gathering has been branded as Reunion/Digital Church and he explained as thus: “Réunion /Digital Church is the incorporation of the former members of the AFM Phuthaditjhaba Assembly. This is found also in the Vision and Mission statement of the assembly. The church is accessible to all people thus include it’s former members,”
As part of the 2023 Reunion celebrations package, the church started with revival services on the first Sunday of this month. Tamme opened the revival with the articulation of the Vision and Mission statement of the church. His sermon was based on Romans 8:16 God’s Spirit and his prayer was for the reunion to spark feelings of joy.
Other preachers included Bishop Sebeko on Sunday 9th July 2023. He was followed by Pastor Khehla on Sunday, 16th July 2023. This past Sunday 23rd July 2023 was Dr. Faba Phetoane.
As part of the celebrations, Phuthaditjhaba Assembly will hold Business Expo this coming Saturday, 29 July 2023 at 10h00 till 14h00, where small, middle, and big business will showcase their products and services. On the same day at 15h00 till 19h00 there will be Dinner Entrepreneurial TalkShow. Venue is AFM Phuthaditjhaba Assembly. The aim is to encourage youth who are interested in businesses.
“We are expecting many former members, leaders: Mr. MMJ Mashinini and Pastor L J Mokoena, and even former pastors of this Assembly amongst are Pastor David Nyama. The president of the Reunion/Digital church Mr Molefi Nkhabu and many pastors preach every single minute on the platform. A special guest will be pastor B Mashobane the Regional leader of the Eastern Free State and Pastor P Tholwana Regional leader of the Koinonia.
“One of the big things is rewarding and giving former members words of appreciation for their selfless commitments to serving the Lord and the good works they did in this Assembly. Some on the frontline of leadership some behind the seen. This is one of our aim for every annual celebration we will give rewards to both previous and current members of this Assembly,” added Tamme.
Among other ploughing back commitments of the reunion, participants contributed to the building of the church wall.
“This unity is very much healthy and helpful to the assembly in many ways. It’s members plough back to the Assembly in many forms thus include material or tangebile and building spirituality. Together the bond is so strong.
“Our intention is to have this function of this magnitude held ANNUALLY to celebrate our Lord Jesus Christ and further honour all members together with former according to their roles in building this Assembly.
“Our intention is to honour more members and men of God. The AFM Phuthaditjhaba is the mother church of all AFM Assemblies in Qwa-Qwa and surrounding areas,” commented Letsoho.
