Online Minister Ordination: My Testimony and Call to Ministry

My name is David Khumalo, and I am receiving my online minister ordination with Christian Leaders Alliance. I am turning 55 years old in October this year. For this grace, I am eternally grateful to God, our Father. I am married with two sons in a loving family. My wife and I have been together for 29 years. I also enjoy the love of a big extended family.

Early Years of Life

I was born in Kimberley, South Africa, to a Christian family as the fourth of five children. I am the only son in my family, and I was baptized and christened David after my father. So, I grew up in the Catholic tradition. As a young boy, I served in church every Sunday, reading scripture and even giving sermons during mass. My grandfather was a deacon in the Catholic Church. I was encouraged in the Christian faith by my parents, teachers, priests, and nuns.

There was an expectation that I would follow a calling into the priesthood. However, after completing grade 12, I chose to move to Johannesburg to study at Wits University. At Wits, I got into the political struggle. It was in the political circles that I met my first wife, Zandi. Zandi and I were both dismissed from Wits for our activities on campus.

Marriage and Loss

We ended up building a life together in Soweto. We got married and became teachers at a local school. Zandi was a full-time teacher, and I was part-time. I entered the corporate world in 1986, and I trained as a software developer in Johannesburg. Zandi and I later moved to the CBD, and we had a son, Olwethu.

Through the turmoil of the late 1980s, my wife and I were separated, and she and our son moved back to her hometown of Cape Town. Sadly, she tragically died in the violence which erupted in the townships of Cape Town. After her funeral, I brought my son to Johannesburg.

New Beginnings

In 1989, I met my current wife, Thozama. She and I dated for a long time before getting married, so in the meantime, I traveled to Japan to study further. On my return from studying in Japan, I set up my first business in IT. I have operated businesses successfully for over 20 years. While being in business, I also completed an Economics degree with the University of South Africa (UNISA). Thozama and I had a son of our own whom we raised together with his brother. My two sons are now employed. Thozama is pursuing her studies towards becoming a psychologist.

Throughout all the progress of my life, I felt that I was not living my calling. Deep inside me, I carried the burden that I have a call to serve the body of Christ. The conditions of my fellow country-men and women in the last ten years have been particularly disturbing to me. People in South Africa are suffering from poverty, crime, and hopelessness. It has been in observing these conditions in which we find ourselves that the Holy Spirit entered my mind and my heart. He persuaded me that the time has come for me to serve the people of God in this country.

Following God’s Call

The Holy Spirit led me to search for the means through which I could respond to my calling. It is this search that led me to discover the Christian Leaders Institute (CLI). After many years of neglecting sincere prayer, I have repented of my sin and started to pray again. I see visions of what I need to do to assist the hopeless. 1 Timothy 4:14 comes to mind, “Do not neglect the gift that is in you…”

I love the Lord and am deeply grateful for the things He has done for me through his love and his grace. Even when I neglected my duty to him, He was with me. I have a deep faith and belief in God, the Father and in Jesus Christ, his only Son, who died on the cross to wash away all my sins and to re-purchase me to the kingdom in heaven. I believe deeply in the power of the Holy Spirit, which is giving me the courage and ability to be effective in what I do.

Online Minister Ordination with CLA

Furthermore, I have also studied at CLI towards online minister ordination as a deacon minister and Small Group Minister with Christian Leaders Alliance. In doing so, I have experienced growth and assurance in my ability and my confidence in the Lord. Now I am ready to begin my journey as a pastor of his church with confidence, competence, dedication, and obedience. To share the good news of the gospel with those who have gone astray and bring them to Christ is my goal. My elders and other Christian leaders mentor me in how to be a shepherd to the people of the Most Holy God – the God we all serve.

Author: Henry Reyenga

Henry Reyenga is president of Christian Leaders Institute and Christian Leaders Alliance.

October 7, 2019/by Henry Reyenga