Ezakheni Bible Baptist Church

[ Click on the photo for an outside view of the building. ]

During the beginning stages of Matiwane Bible Baptist Church, my now good friend Simon Dube, asked me to start a Bible study at his home in Ezakheni just 10 miles east of Ladysmith. We began meeting in his garage. As the boys continued to grow so did that little group. By 1989 it became evident that we needed once again to build!

Money poured in from many of our supporting churches. Finally in 1990 the Ezakheni Bible Baptist Church facility was completed. The church experienced splendid growth. One of the highlights was the men's Bible studies. As 1994 arrived, everything changed!

With the release of Nelson Mandela and promise of free and fair elections for all, political violence engulfed the country. Ezakheni was not spared. Within six months, 500 people died murderous deaths. Hundreds fled Ezakheni. Simon was forced to leave as well. By 1995 just a handful of people remained in the church.

Men's Bible study. [Click on the photo for a larger (173k) image.]
Fortunately, Ezakheni Bible Baptist Church is alive and well. New leaders were raised up and the church averages in the 70s. Pray for this church:

That its leaders will grow strong and true in Jesus Christ.
That it will effectively reach out to its community, sharing Christ.
For the training of its leaders in Northern Natal Bible Institute.

Mingo home page