On January 24, 2010, we experienced a Sunday morning worship service with a difference at the Bellville Stadium,
Cape Town, South Africa.
The
Western Cape district had its annual district rally and ordination service. This rally was a service where Capetonians celebrated Christ, the achievements and the blessings attain
ed throughout 2009.
As a district we are highly favoured and wanted to give thanks to God for the favour and also commit our plans for 2010 into the hands of our Father. We had an amazing and blessed session of praise and worship that was led by the worship team of Mitchell’s Plain Church of the Nazarene. We were honored to have the Field Strategy Coordinator Rev. Collin Elliott, the Regional Director Dr. Filimao Chambo and General Superintendent Dr. David W. Graves and their wives in attendance.
We officially opened our service when a crowd of almost 3,000 Nazarenes proudly sang “Called unto Holiness” and the seven ordination candidates made their way to the middle of the stadium. It is always an exciting time when the children of God rally together and you are guaranteed an amazing experience with God. Throughout the service you could feel the anointing of God in that place.
We took time to acknowledge some achievements, such as the students at the Nazarene Theological College extension centre who were awarded for their hard work and perseverance. The mass choir of Steenberg Church of the Nazarene ushered us into the throne room with the sound of "The Lord is my Shepherd” before Dr. Graves took us to the feet of the Master.
Graves not only blessed us but reminded us of the requirements for a holy life. He read from the book of Romans and unpacked the requirements and duties of a Christian. There was a statement Graves made that really made me think: “We are born sinners but it takes practice to perfect it”. He gave us the instruction that God is in control, so behold the King of kings... Salvation is ours. Spiritually we have bumped our heads so much and every time we look in the mirror of our souls we see the damage we caused. God does plastic surgery without cost. That is the beauty of holiness.
Then there was the ordination -- what an amazing thing to see. A highlight occurred when one of our elders had the privilege of praying for two of his sons who were ordained that day. We had seven of our pastors ordained into elders. Young and old came to kneel down at the altar. Recommitments as well as new commitments were made that day. All Praise and honour belongs to God!
Editor's note: Carmen Jacobs is an active member of the Church of the Nazarene in South Africa.