The Mozambican Annual Conference ordained Evangelist Clive
John Pillay, the Cape Annual Conference Evangelist, as an Itinerant Deacon at the
Annual Conference on 23 October 1999.
Evangelist Clive Pillay is presently working on the Mozal Site in Mozambique where there
are presently in excess of 10,000 workers. Access to the site being restricted ( as this
is a Government Project) the preaching of the word, as well as the serving of the
Communion cannot be carried out by churches nearby. Evangelist Pillay is acting as the
Chaplin for the site and has been ordained to serve this community, as well as assist with
the work in the area.
The traveling of the preachers from one charge to the other in Mozambique is very
taxing and demanding. Salaries being non-existent, pastors sometime have to travel between
50 and 100km from one charge to the other. The availability of ministers leaves much to be
desired, hence the ordination of the Evangelist.
After 28 years of service to the Lord, the last thing that ever crossed the mind of the
Evangelist was an ordination. God works in mysterious ways, wonders to perform. When He
has called you to a task, you will end up therein, no matter when. 28 years after all may
be God school of training for a task that only He knows the end of.
The Situation
After about 25yrs as a war-torn
country, Mocambique finally came into its own as far as leadership is concerned. The
aftermath how-ever left the people of this country to be rated at one time as the poorest
nation in the world.
Presently the average labour wages per month is about R75.00 or just more than U$10.00
(ten)
Ministers often go without receiving any remuneration. Top offertory is sometimes R2.50.
The fact that I have landed up in Mozambique and that I could render a ministry unto God's
people, blessed with the availabilty of transport, I surrendered to this strong call.
I am told that the people of Mozambique can erect an edifice for the Lord within ONE MONTH
but alas, the funds are not available, in spite of all other resources being at hand.
Here at Mozal I have already rallied some resources to contribute to our being proud of
having a HOUSE OF PRAYER to meet in. A country where OUR church services are still being
held on the front stoep of some of the congregations. I solicit your prayers as God uses
me in this part of His vineyard.
Freely ye have received, freely give
Once again I am reminded of the cruel fact that we are very selective where, when and what
we give, but prepared to take ...When will we ever be proud enough to leave our own wants
and desires and reach out and let others be proud of our Zion
The African Methodist Episcopal Church have during the last year participated very heavily
in ecumenical services. Rev Clive Pillay has contacted the Weslyan Methodist, United
Methodist as well as the free Methodist Churches and have graced their pulpits. He is
presently the representative for the Mocambican Coucil of Churches as a contact on the
Mozal Site.
Evening ecumenical services once held every forth-night, is now held weekly as organised
by Rev. Peter Clark of the Weslyan Methodist Church and Rev. Clive Pillay. Sunday 23
January 2000 saw a Covenant service for all Methodists in Maputo with Rev. Pillay once
again representing the African Methopdist Episcopal Church. Sis Sarah Zandemala proves to
be quite an invaluable asset to the church here in Mocambique. She is presently helping
Rev. Pillay in getting around to the various charges. She also repesnted the African
Methodist Epicsopal Church at the Methodist Covenant Service.
A youth choir consisting of about 50 young people from the Methodist, Lutheran, United
Methodist and Anglican church presently meets every week to participate in the evening
services.
The Mozambican Annual Conference ordained Evangelist Clive
John Pillay, the Cape Annual Conference Evangelist, as an Itinerant Deacon at the
Annual Conference on 23 October 1999.