A Sports Day and Soup Kitchen was hosted by the Worshippers of God Ministries and New Heaven New Earth Church (NHNE) in Zwelihle recently to encourage and uplift the community members to be active, have fun and unite with one another.
The event included an engaging soccer match and a netball match between the Worshippers of God Ministries and NHNE members, which drew the attention of the surrounding community. This was accompanied by cheering, music and dancing in joy to support each team. Afterwards, warm soup was served from the soup kitchen to all those attending, especially the young children who enjoyed the activities of the day.
The chairperson of Swalichia Sport Sazi Maketa said: “Here in Zwelihle in Hermanus we have plenty of churches around the community and I wish they can learn from what the Worshippers of God Ministries and the NHNE Church are doing because it is great for the community. For me it is something new to see churches involved in sports.”
This event followed the recent graduation ceremony for 111 628 students on 3 November, which saw 1 125 graduates from six countries across Southern Africa complete the Bible Course offered by NHNE. Of these 422 were from Cape Town.
After this graduation ceremony, the members of NHNE were moved to take the initiative to give back to communities that experience a form of marginalisation or discrimination.
The main graduation event in South Korea, planned to take place in Imjingak Pyeonghwanuri Park, was abruptly cancelled, reportedly due to security concerns over recent North Korean military activities. Organisers argued that the cancellation reflects unconstitutional religious discrimination, as nearby public events proceeded as scheduled. Despite this setback, NHNE quickly adapted, holding the graduation across multiple church buildings in South Korea through its branch churches.
An NHNE church representative Queen Nwendamutswu explained that even though the venue change had a negative effect, the members are still showing up to do good deeds such as at the event in Zwelihle. “We had a soup kitchen, handed out clothes and cleaned the venue up. Even though persecution is happening in South Korea, in South Africa we continue to soldier on and we will not stop because God’s work goes on.” The Bishop of Worshippers of God Ministries Simphiwe Maqhubu said his church had opened its doors to everyone, especially those rejected by the community, so they can experience family.
