George Whitefield College newsletter October 2026

It’s important to remember that what the people of South Africa (and Australia) need most is the saving gospel of Jesus Christ. George Whitefield College in Cape Town is equipping men and women to share that gospel.

In an email to supporters, College Principal Mark Dickson introduces their latest newsletter –

“This edition celebrates the rich heritage and cultural diversity of our College community, where students from across Africa and beyond come together to be shaped by God’s Word and equipped for gospel-centred ministry. Our different languages, traditions and experiences remind us of the beauty of God’s global Church, while our shared faith in Jesus Christ unites us in a purpose that reaches far beyond our own cultures and borders.

Through the stories in this newsletter, we hope you will be encouraged by what God is doing through the lives of our students, graduates and wider GWC community. We are grateful for your prayers, partnership and continued interest in the work of the College. As you read, please consider sharing these stories with others. We especially encourage churches to download and print the newsletter for their congregations, helping more people discover how theological education is preparing faithful men and women to serve Christ and strengthen His Church across Africa and beyond.

Thank you for being part of this work. May we continue to celebrate both the diversity of God’s people and the unity we share in Christ.”

Download the newsletter at this link. And see previous newsletters.

Among the stories in this newsletter:

L-R: Vice-Principal: Development Dr. Vuyani Sindo, David Mansfield, Dr. David Seccombe, Principal Dr. Mark Dickson.

“Former GWC Principal Dr David Seccombe honoured at book launch

Thank you to everyone who joined us for the launch of The Secco Collection, David Mansfield’s new publication celebrating the life, ministry and enduring influence of GWC’s former Principal, Dr David Seccombe.

It was a special afternoon of memories, stories and fellowship as we reflected on Dr Seccombe’s contribution to the church, to theological education and to the many lives he influenced through his ministry.

The event was a wonderful opportunity to celebrate the fruits of Dr Seccombe’s vision, faithfulness, and commitment to theological education in Africa tangibly seen in the richly diverse community that GWC enjoys today, with students drawn from across the continent and beyond. Visit gwc.ac.za to read the full article.”

Presiding Bishop of REACH-SA calls for day of Prayer after appalling violence

Perhaps your news feeds have not mentioned some of the recent violence in South Africa, but the Presiding Bishop of REACH-SA, Archbishop Dr Siegfried Ngubane, has called for a Day of Prayer on Sunday 11th October –

A Call to Prayer: Standing Against Violence in Our Nation

Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,

As we look at the current state of our nation, our hearts are heavy. South Africa is grieving. The ongoing tragedy of Gender-Based Violence and Femicide (GBVF) continues to claim the lives of women across our communities, and a recent spate of mass shootings has brought deep sorrow to our provinces.

We mourn the devastating loss of lives in Ekurhuleni, where the bodies of several young women have been discovered. These are not statistics to be scrolled past; they are daughters, mothers, sisters, and friends created in the image of God. Their lives are precious, and their loss is an incalculable grief to their families.

We also bear witness to the terrifying violence that has erupted across the country over the past few weeks:

• In KwaMakhutha, Durban: An attack on a home left eleven dead, including a pregnant mother, and several others wounded.

• In Wedela, Johannesburg: Armed men took the lives of seventeen people at a local tavern, leaving behind immense trauma and injury.

• In Lwandle, Cape Town: Just hours later, a brutal attack at a local shisanyama claimed ten more lives, taking place just a few kilometres from Christ Church Strand.

As the Body of Christ, we cannot simply look away. The Scriptures remind us that our God is a God of justice and compassion. Isaiah 1:17 calls us to “learn to do right; seek justice. Defend the oppressed. Take up the cause of the fatherless; plead the case of the widow.” We also rest on the promise of Psalm 34:18, that “the Lord is  close to the brokenhearted and saves those who are crushed in spirit.”

Therefore, I am calling on every local church, congregation, and fellowship within REACH-SA to dedicate Sunday, 11 October 2026, as a day of unified prayer. Please set aside time in your Sunday gatherings to bring these specific petitions before the Lord:

• For Victims and Grieving Families: Pray for the God of all comfort to draw near to the families mourning in Ekurhuleni, KwaMakhutha, Wedela, Lwandle, Tshwane, and throughout our nation. Pray for healing for the wounded and peace for the traumatized.

• For Law Enforcement and Justice: Pray for those tasked with keeping our communities safe. Ask God to grant our police officers and investigators wisdom, courage, and integrity as they carry the heavy burden of responding to these crimes and protecting our streets.

• For Truth and National Integrity: Give thanks for the ongoing work of the Madlanga Commission in exposing criminality and political interference. Pray that truth will continue to come to light, and that true accountability and righteousness will be restored within our justice system.

• For the Church: Pray for ourselves. Ask the Lord to make our local churches safe havens for the vulnerable and bold voices against domestic abuse. Pray that we would be agents of His peace and hope in our troubled communities.

May the Lord show mercy to South Africa. May He heal our land, establish justice, and turn the hearts of the violent toward the saving grace of Christ.

In Christ, our refuge and our peace,

Siegfried Ngubane
Presiding Bishop

– Source (PDF file).

See also this Gafcon prayer request.

Alternative Anglican Ordinations: seven South African deacons

Law and Religion UK introduces a guest post on recent events in London:

“Seven lay ministers from dioceses across the Church of England were ordained in May 2025 by a visiting Anglican bishop from South Africa.

In this guest post, Andrew Atherstone provides the first report of this event, based on interviews with several of the leading participants.

‘On Wednesday 21 May 2025, the Archbishop of York received notification from the Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa (REACH SA) of their plans to ordain “missionary clergy” for ministry in England.

“A group of churches from various Church of England dioceses”, declared Bishop Martin Morrison from Gauteng, “have approached us with a request: that we consider ordaining a number of emerging leaders, all of whom are appropriately selected and theologically trained.” Following the commendation of the Prayers of Love and Faith (PLF) in December 2023 by the Church of England’s House of Bishops, these young leaders found themselves unable “in good conscience” to pursue ordination through the normal channels, and their congregations were deeply concerned that “no clear or lasting pastoral provision has yet been made”, especially in terms of “legal and permanent structural protections or future ministry pathways”.

Therefore, Bishop Morrison explained to the Archbishop, REACH SA had decided to accede to their request for ordination. He emphasised: “This decision has been made with the aim of sustaining and advancing faithful Anglican evangelical witness and to ensure we do not lose a generation of gifted gospel workers to ordained ministry.”

Morrison’s letter was copied to the Bishop of London (in the absence of an Archbishop of Canterbury) and to the Bishop of Leicester (lead bishop of the Living in Love and Faith (LLF) project until his sudden resignation in early June). …’ ”

– Read the full report here. (Paragraph breaks added for clarity.)

George Whitefield College newsletter April 2025

The latest newsletter from George Whitefield College in Cape Town, South Africa, is now available on their website.

It’s downloadable as a PDF file – or readable online.

Here’s an encouraging article from the newsletter:

“REACH-Namibia: ‘A Time of Spiritual Revival’

Pastor Nelson Ndakevondjo, who was elected as assistant bishop of REACH-Namibia in 2024, visited GWC recently. While REACH has a long history in Namibia, there are currently approximately 40 new churches, with new churches being planted at a rapid rate.

‘The work of God that is happening in the country right now is quite amazing; the congregations are growing and people are hungry for the gospel and for solid doctrine – it is a time of spiritual revival,’ said Pastor Ndakevondjo.

‘The challenging part is that now that you have people who desire the gospel and who desire to preach, you need to equip them with knowledge and material. Our greatest need at the moment therefore is teachers – those who are equipped with both adequate training and resources. We currently have two students at GWC; please pray with us for God to open doors for further students to be able to receive theological training, as now is the time when there is a hunger – and it is good to be able to satisfy that and supply well-equipped teachers to our churches,’ he said.”

– It would be good to pray ‘for God to open doors for further students to be able to receive theological training’ – and to pray for the continued work of George Whitefield College.

Sharpened and Refined: a missionary journey – Kylie Zietsch

From Moore College, an interview with Kylie Zietsch:

“Despite my education degree, the volunteer work I was doing in Johannesburg, ministering to students and the homeless, lacked the firm foundation of theological education. So in 2010 I came to Moore College intent on studying for a year. But I soon realised I wanted to go deeper into the word and grow skills in how to approach ministry, so one year grew into four, and I finished the Bachelor of Theology.

I am really thankful for my time at Moore. I was surrounded by women with whom I could walk the journey of life and ministry, with whom I could think through future plans, and who encouraged me in my faith. Looking back now, the student body were formative in encouraging me in mission and sharpening me, preparing me for the mission field.. …”

– Read it here.

Latest George Whitefield College newsletter

Screenshot

The latest newsletter (May 2024) from George Whitefield College in Cape Town has been uploaded to their website.

Good to see what’s happening, and as fuel for your prayers. (Click PRINT FULL NEWSLETTER for the PDF version.)

Video: Consecration of Dr Siegfried Ngubane as Presiding Bishop of REACH-SA

We missed linking to this video in February when Dr Siegfried Ngubane was consecrated and installed as Presiding Bishop of REACH-SA (The Reformed Evangelical Anglican Church of South Africa) at Christ Church Midrand.

As the REACH-SA website says, the service was “nothing short of monumental” with a very encouraging array of guests present from around the world.

Bishop Malcolm Richards represented Archbishop Kanishka Raffel at the service, sending greetings from Sydney. Archbishop of Uganda, Stephen Kaziimba, preached. The service is introduced by outgoing Presiding Bishop, Bishop Glenn Lyons.

Most encouraging.

George Whitefield College newsletter October 2023

The October 2023 newsletter from George Whitefield College in Cape Town has been released.

For your encouragement and your prayers, download the PDF file here – or see select articles on their website.

30th Anniversary of the terror attack on St James Church, Cape Town

Anglican Mainstream has posted these excerpts from an interview with the Rev Ross Anderson.

See also:

From ten years ago, this article by David Mansfield, at SydneyAnglicans.net –

“Rev. Ross Anderson, the Associate Rector of St James’ at the time, was leading the service as the attack occurred. He witnessed this indescribable carnage unfolding before him as he stood at the podium. He orchestrated the events that followed the attack to help the panicked congregation exit the building, help the elderly and small children avoid being crushed or trampled, triage immediate support for the casualties and keep exits clear for the arrival of the first response medical teams. Ross testifies to the Lord’s gracious help in enabling him to do this while he was dealing with his own emotions in the crisis.”

Images from the memorial service at St. James’ Kenilworth in 2013.

News and prayer updates from George Whitefield College, May 2023

The May 2023 newsletter for George Whitefield College in Cape Town is now up on their website.

A great reminder to pray for Africa.

As GWC Principal Dr. Mark Dickson reminds us,

“What Africa needs now are preachers, teachers and leaders who can tell the continent accurately about Jesus.”

– Download the PDF file here.

 

Also on the GWC website is a tribute to Bishop Joe Bell, former Presiding Bishop of the Church of England in South Africa (now REACH-SA). The tribute was written, we understand, by Dr. Mark Norman at GWC.

Bishop Bell was Presiding Bishop 1989-2000, succeeding Bishop Dudley Foord and preceding Bishop Frank Retief.

There’ll be a Memorial Service for Bishop Bell on Monday 29 May 2023 – streamed live at 19:00AEST.