09 Dec 2019

Revelation Times Ministries International (RTMI) on December 6 held its annual Thanksgiving ceremony in Jwaneng as part of its four-day event that started on December 5 until December 8.

The event was graced by two renowned South African artistes in Lebo Sekgobela and Kgaogelo Kekana as well as local artistes, Tshepo Lesole and Johnson Pheto.

In a post event interview, the ministry’s vice president and Jwaneng branch pastor, Phillemon Ramono indicated that the event was held annually as a way of appreciating God for his mercies throughout the ending year.

“This is an event that we hold annually around this time and its purpose is to appreciate God for guiding us through all the challenges of life thus far, whether be it ailments or any other. We also use the Thanksgiving weekend to reach out to the community, and over the years we have been in a partnership with an orphanage centre in Sese where we donate groceries and Christmas goodies,” he said.

Pastor Ramono indicated that as a church, they ‘did not live in isolation,’ but were part and parcel of the community hence the need to touch base with it, even the non-church going people. He said that the decision to invite international artists was a way of nurturing the locals and transfer skills.

“Sister Sekgobela has been gracing our event for the past four years, and we appreciate all the motivation she has done for the youth here,” he said.

For her part, Sekgobela also indicated her appreciation for the annual invite, and said that she was happy to note that it was growing annually.

“When I first came here four years back, the event was held in a small hall with a few people, but I have been watching it grow in attendance annually, which is encouraging. Personally, it has also provided a platform for me to network with local artistes, so I appreciate all those that I shared the stage with,” she said.

She appreciated that the Thanksgiving weekend also included a component of corporate social responsibility. “As artistes, we should be seen to play a part in giving back to society no matter how small the gesture,” she said.

She said the fact that the Thanksgiving weekend was an effort by different churches was also welcome as it indicated unity. 

Sekgobela also advised RTMI to consider registering a community radio station, as she said that would help spread the gospel throughout and not only at church.

She said that the radio station could also be used to push other community interests apart from spreading the word.

For his part, local gospel heavyweight, Tshepo Lesole also appreciated his relationship with RTMI, and said that it was vital that ceremonies such as this one were held to appreciate what God had done for the nation.

He also said that the festive period was the most perilous as it was marred by many bad things such as road accidents and deaths, especially on the youth and said that it was therefore important to come together in prayer as a nation.

He also urged the youth to exercise more responsibility around this time. The event was held under the theme: Manifesting God’s Glory. Ends