On Sunday 28 November at my ordination service held at Tokai Community Church I was made a deacon in our denomination (REACH-SA). It was an inspiring and beautiful service.
I was super encouraged by the missionary theme that the whole service had – all the songs, the sermon, and even the ordination itself inspired me and impelled me to pursue this missionary calling with all the vigour I can muster.
This ordination service was such a realization of the call that God has laid on our lives. It made us both so aware of the privilege and responsibility that comes with sharing God’s Word. It was also precious to be commissioned and prayed for by so many other ordained ministers. As we head off into Zambia for mission work, I am grateful not only to have our church supporting and sending us, but also our denomination. It really makes us feel like we are part of something bigger! And indeed we are – we are part of the body of Christ!
I am grateful for all the members of TCC that have encouraged me along the way and supported me through my curacy and theological studies on this journey to ordination. My church has been a GREAT support!
Our pastor (Rev. Luke Giles) led the service thoughtfully and helped us all to recognise this significance of this occasion and why we were dressed in ‘strange’ clothes. He explained the relevance of the various parts of the clerical garments which are technically the uniform which we wear at special and signifiant meetings.
Bishop Gary Bedderson preached on Matthew 5:9 “Blessed are the peacemakers for they will be called sons of God”. He challenged us all – especially me – to be a peacemaker in this world that is in desperate need of peace. The only way this world will truly know peace is when they know the peace of God which surpasses all understanding and which is only found in Christ Jesus.
This ordination service, like many things in life, is a significant milestone – the closing of one chapter and the beginning of a new one. This is not the last step our my journey, but the first step of a longer and more difficult road. I welcome this new chapter with great joy.
The bishop, rector, and deacon 
The clergy at my ordination service 
Ordination Service – Orders given 
William Hoek, Denzil Abrahams, and I at my ordination
