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Dear Pastors and Membership of the Central District

Kindly receive warm greetings from the Office of the District Superintendent. We trust and pray that this message finds you in good health and spirit even during this time of a global pandemic.

WHAT A MOMENT OF DESPAIR! In the recent past, one has observed with earnest consideration the developments occasioned by the unfortunate outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic. We do reckon that literature on this pandemic, as rightly declared by the World Health Organization, is littered with credible evidence about the global negative impact as a result of this infectious scourge. Evidently, several countries and regions have been infected and affected in diverse ways, hence causing a tremendous impact on different aspects of human life. Most importantly, as a church, we have further taken note of its adverse effects on our religious activities much as this has further opened a window of opportunity in the provision of companionate ministry. According to the World Economic Forum (2020), “COVID-19 threatens to become one of the most difficult tests faced by humanity in modern history”. As confirmed cases of this global pandemic spread, it is no doubt that it has the potential to take lives as it has indeed claimed thousands of lives, undermine advanced and developing economies, overwhelm advanced and fragile health systems, deplete the value of assets, and trigger lasting geopolitical change. Around the world, despairing efforts are underway to contain and soften the impact of what has so become a profoundly disruptive outbreak (World Economic Forum, 202).

As EmaSwati and good residents of Eswatini, we appreciate the countless efforts by His Majesty’s Government, to curb the overwhelming spread and effects of this infectious virus which includes but not limited to the enactment of the Coronavirus (COVID-19) Regulations, 2020. His Excellency the Right Honourable Prime Minister has stated categorically that all EmaSwati and residents of this beautiful Kingdom are expected by law to fully comply and abide by these regulations and that with no exception. Much as such a move brings with it a lot of inconveniences that many if not none of us has never experienced before, we must be reminded that the irresponsible actions of a few can put all of us in danger. The noticeable outstandingly bad examples of irresponsible behaviour in the face of the spreading epidemic even among church leaders are herein condemned in the strongest possible terms as they are not representative of the entire Christian community in the country and beyond. Against such, the Office kindly reminds all members of the Nazarene family within this assembly district, both our clergy and laity, to lead by example even in this regard.

Moreover, brethren, it is worth mentioning that cooperating with the government and other international organizations, the WHO in particular, will definitely soften the impact of this outbreak. A case in point is Taiwan as cited by the WHO, a country that has managed to minimise the spread of the virus regardless of being in proximity to the epicentre of the outbreak of the virus. These achievements are mainly attributed to a strongly concerted effort between the government and the general populace. Hence, the Taiwanese economy has been semi-functional throughout the announcement of the outbreak because almost everyone takes it upon themselves to adhere to government regulations.

‘ALTERNATIVE’ COVID-19 WORSHIP: On the same note, it is worth sharing that, on Thursday 9th April 2020, I went to one of the shops in Manzini which specialises on essential products, including farm inputs. As I was still preoccupied with errands at the aforesaid shop, I came across a member of some other sister denomination who lamented over the new way and experience on the celebration of the death and resurrection of Christ in the face of the lockdown. As she correctly encapsulated, Ngwane and Nkoseluhlaza streets, the main streets leading in and out of Manzini, were just completely different with no people carrying heavy luggage with sleeping bags/blankets, plates, spoons, bibles and izihlabelelo zokudumisa heading for Sharpe Memorial. Manzini Mission Station is so quiet and lonely no sounds of our little kids and young people who hardly can go for bed because of excitement. The sad disruption of COVID-19! Whereas this epidemic has greatly disturbed our conventional way of doing business and worship, COVID-19 may force a reckoning of traditional church services to take advantage of the timely nature of what (for now) is termed ‘alternative’ worship probably as an indicator of church business for the next generation especially in the dawn of the fourth industrial revolution and artificial intelligence. Thus, the Office of the DS humbly encourages the embrace of these alternatives since the proliferation of new technologies in recent years facilitates efficiency and the ease of business in this regard. Those who are not yet technologically savvy should be assisted to take advantage of the good use of these technologies and to avoid a situation whereby some members of our Christian community end up being marginalised.

MY GOD, MY GOD, WHY HAST THOU FORSAKEN US? With the feeling of having been forsaken by the very source of life, we are reminded of Christ on the cross who had the same experience as He was sobbing in pain; “About three in the afternoon Jesus cried out in a loud voice, “Eli, Eli, lama sabachthani?” (Which means “My God, my God, why have you forsaken me?”) (Matthew 27:46). Yes, this Easter Weekend will be completely different from previous Easter Weekends for many of us, but we still can keep ourselves engaged and connected with the Lord amid COVID-19 restrictions. The message has not changed, and it never will. “He was wounded for our transgressions, He was bruised for our iniquities; the chastisement for our peace was upon Him, And by His stripes we are healed” (Isaiah 53:5).

The fact that this pandemic has incapacitated and further claimed the lives of many of our people across the globe does not, has not and will never change the fact that Jesus Christ, the dead and resurrected Son of God, is Lord of all and overall for Jesus Christ is the same yesterday and today and forever (Hebrews 13:8). And just as Moses lifted up the snake in the wilderness, so the Son of Man must be lifted up, He must be hanged on the cross, that everyone who believes in Him, who looks up to Him, even if they die, but may have eternal life in him (John 3:14-15). We may not be able to read and appreciate the whole story of God’s doing in the face of this epidemic; we may not necessarily understand why has God let things happen as they do, but we know for sure that there is absolutely no struggle without a purpose because God’s redemptive plan is always in the middle of our struggles. We cannot tell how long this struggle will last, but at least we know that “no suffering need ever again be unending because His sovereign power will ultimately win the day, it is finished, kuphelele, tetelestai, swi hetisekile” (Jack Hayford).

Brethren, may we enjoy the presence of the Lord even within the confines of our home environments because where two or three gather in His name, there He is with us and we can experience Him in the same measure of His Trinity as we often do in our traditional church services. We really will miss your company and fellowship, the singing of the great hymns – Ngingahlanzwa ngani na igazi likaJesu lodwa-, the District Choir and all our beautiful people; but we do not, and we will never miss Christ because He is with us everywhere we go.

Wish you happy and blessed Easter Services.

Your brother in the Lord,

Rev. MF Mkhatshwa

Eswatini Central District Superintendent