Malelane Youth Conference September 2024
The annual Youth Conference at the KwaSizabantu Mpumalanga branch took place from 20 – 23 September. About two weeks before the conference started, the first team arrived at Schulzendal near Malelane. They visited schools, sharing the gospel and inviting learners to come to the conference, and they set up tents for the services and for accommodation. Another two buses arrived closer to the time with extra helpers and co-workers. The drivers then went out to fetch all the children. One of them mentioned how he saw the Lord working, bringing an additional group of young people unexpectedly, and providing in a special way with the accommodation and the workload.
The Youth services started on Friday the 20th of September at 7pm, and continued until Monday the 23rd, in the evening. 475 children were registered for the long weekend, along with about 30 adults that came with their children to attend. Some local young people also attended during the day. All in all, we catered for around 550 people. Local Councillor Siboza came on the first day and some local pastors from nearby churches also attended. Pastor Khumalo came with a group of young people from Swaziland, and on the last day Nduna Lubisi of Schulzendal attended.
The theme of the conference was “Back to God”. There were three meetings a day; which included services by some of the co-workers, some of Rev EH Stegen’s stories told in film, as well as some skits and testimonies by CYPSA. Monday morning was fun activities, soccer and netball.
The co-workers were filled with gratitude for how the Lord worked. One observed how many of the children had no idea what it meant to attend a church service, and she was struck by the privilege we have to be able to serve the Lord in this way. Another saw the working out of the theme ‘Back to God’ in all areas, in the warm welcome received, in the working together while cooking, in the abundance from the vegetable gardens … she concluded: “When we get back to God, He can accomplish great things, and He helps us to succeed in what we do, receiving His blessing!” They expressed thankfulness for the amazing things God did for the young people. As Baba Ngubane testified the following Sunday, “What a privilege to see and experience what the Lord did, how He worked, all through His power!”
