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Candle-making Project
It was one special Friday in the month of June that over 20 women gathered together to be trained on candle-making, an economic empowerment project for Orphans and Vulnerable Children from the church and the community.
The project, supported by the Forgotten Voices International, started in February 2020 when COVID-19 broke out. The anticipation of economic challenge led members to think of a viable project they could do to curb poverty since there was constant load shedding in the local communities. The initial training was done in March 2020 but due to lockdowns in the country more trainings could not be conducted.
This specific training had lessons on project management, marketing, handling project funds and self-awareness. A total of 23 people were in attendance. More such trainings that empower people economically are to be done as opportunity avails, considering the constantly changing regulations on gatherings due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
After the restrictions were eased, it became possible to resume the trainings. The Orphans and Vulnerable Children and parents/guardians are involved in the project.
All vulnerable households within the church and community around are welcome to come and learn though much focus is on the needy.
Compiled by Compassionate Ministry June 2021 ©
Mrs Hylet Nkomo explains to the onlookers how to make a candle
BRETHREN IN CHRIST CHURCH LOBENGULA
BUSINESS EXPO 2022
Sunday 05 June 2022
The 2022 Inaugural Business Expo ran under the theme: “A disciple seizing opportunities for sustainable wealth creation”. This was a first of its kind at BICC Lobengula and looks like it is not going to be the last. A total of 37 exhibitors displayed their work which was set in various clusters including Clothing, Service Industry, Engineering and Construction, Agriculture, Food Processing and Event Management. Besides local church business persons exhibiting, we had invited exhibitors from Essential Service Providers like Legal, Bulawayo City Council, Environmental Health and Deeds Office. The Sunday Service was held under this theme and the programme included teaching on wealth creation by Pastor Kilton Moyo, Preaching/Admonishing from Rev. Joel P. Ndlovu and the Exhibition itself. To note was the emphasis by Rev. J.P. Ndlovu in his message as per 2 Thessalonians 3:10, that “he who does not work should not be given food”. The encouragement was that everyone should find something to do with their own hands and not always have to wait to receive help from others. “Not every situation is a result of demon possession but some situations one has to get up and work” said Rev. J. P. Ndlovu.
The drive towards such an initiative
The 2022 Expo ran under the theme “A DISCIPLE SEIZING OPPORTUNITIES TOWARDS WEALTH CREATION”. A programme called Empowered Worldview was introduced in the church which empowers brethren on wealth creation. Through these teachings the idea of an Expo was birthed and further to that, the need to help create linkages amongst business persons in the church motivated such an initiative.
Mrs Ntando Ndlovu, the Organising Committee Chairperson, explained that the leadership realised that at times to be in lack or seem to lack may be because of failure to seize the opportunities that are already available. The Empowered Worldview teachings which have been done in the church also refer to the story of Hagar and Ishmael where Hagar’s eyes were opened to see the well of water in the dessert and was able to survive with her son. The ‘wells’ may be already available but we need God to open our eyes like Hagar so we may see the opportunities for wealth and seize them. She alluded to 2 Thessalonians 3:6-12 in particular noting that people look at diligent work as unchristian and despise work/opportunities that may present themselves in ‘overalls while looking for those that come wearing suits’. “Our thinking is to encourage each other to work diligently realising that if we do not work for ourselves and for our families, no one will subsidise or give us donations,” said Mrs Ndlovu. The Ministerial Team is leading by example in this idea as we see them also besides providing pastoral care to the church, they are operating various business initiatives. Pastor Glen Ncube, who is the Departmental Head alluded to the fact that after adopting the Empowered Worldview which was brought to us through the Church National Outreach Programme, online teachings resumed in 2021 and these teachings were well received by brethren. After realising that there are fruits of the teachings it became necessary to create a platform where the business people can show what they do, network and probably form partnerships.
Future plans
This Expo was not just an event but a continuation of a process that was started several years ago. The event was an exhibition of a culmination of several teachings and training that has been taking place in the church. “Feedback now indicates that people are seeing the benefits of the continuation of the process. So we are hoping to ride on that tide and continue to foster business linkages beyond the Expo,” said Mrs Ndlovu.
Whilst reviews and evaluations are in process, we strongly feel the need to do such events more regularly. There is going to be a need to provide trainings and other opportunities where brethren in BICC Lobengula could be exposed not only to business expos but to business spaces that could continue to sharpen their businesses.