Fifty four Grade 7 learners from Gqeberha primary school baptised at beach event

When Amanda Ntsumpa started the Elufefeni Primary School in Motherwell township in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth) eight years ago she invited her pastor. Mac Hayward, to minister regularly to the Grade 7 class – which he has done on a weekly basis ever since.

Recently she and Mac – who are both retiring soon – had great reason to thank Jesus for what he has done through their partnership – as 54 of the school’s 70 current Grade 7 learners were baptised in a gully at the Seaside village of Schoenmakerskop on the outskirts of the city.

Amanda said that her pupils are “from some of the most disadvantaged areas” and her vision has always been to introduce them to the Christian life and to equip them to help learners from other schools who are struggling with issues that threaten to destroy their lives.  She said she also encourages the children to share their course material with their parents.

She said that she hopes that her successor as principal at the school will allow her and Mac to continue discipling the school’s Grade 7s

Mac, who has led the Westering Full Gospel Church for over 40 years said that while he is shortly retiring as the leader of the congregation, he will not be retiring from mission work.

He said that during his weekly sessions at the school he has used a course developed by Christ for All Nations which he has also been using successfully in Madagascar where he has been involved in mission work for 25 years – with a focus on pastor training over the past 12 years.

He said that during his year with the Grade 7s he takes them “through from creation to salvation”. He says the Bible Society has “very kindly” partnered with them for years – giving a Bible to every Grade 7. 

“And every child that desires to follow Christ and wants to be baptised, they can come to me and request so,” he said.

He said that on the morning of Friday October 6 they bussed the 54 learners who wanted to be baptised to the seaside venue. A number of parents and congregants came out to witness the event which was preceded by a service on the beach. Afterwards the children were presented with baptismal certificates and given refreshments.

“It was a fun day. I had to smile this year, because two or three of the Grade 7 boys swam out to us where we were going to baptise them,” he said.

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