CMS missionary Kylie Zietsch and CMS Co-Mission Partner Thuli Mabe work together in training women for ministry at Johannesburg Bible College (JBC). Checkpoint invited Kylie and Thuli to share about what they do, and introduce us to some African women they’ve been working alongside. 

Meet Kylie and Thuli 

Kylie and Thuli work as part of the teaching team at JBC. Kylie has been serving with CMS since 2016 and a key part of her ministry involves caring for female students. Reflecting on the value and importance of training women in ministry at JBC and beyond, Kylie says:  

“I can say with confidence that I have seen women equipped, matured and excited for works of service. I have seen individual lives transformed as women have understood the gospel deeply. This has transformed their lives, their families and their communities.”     

Thuli is a ‘Co-Mission Partner’, meaning that CMS supports her in ministry in her home country of South Africa. Over more than 12 years of ministry at JBC and elsewhere, Thuli has helped evangelise, disciple, mentor, train and provide pastoral care for many. She says:      

“As a female ministry worker it is hard to get formal training for ministry. Most churches, ministries and para-church institutions don’t invest in formal Bible training of women. At times there are many barriers that make it hard for the training dream to be realised. This means we have women active in ministry with little or no training. This is the reason why the work we do in training women is so important.”  

Thuli continues: “Training women for ministry in some circles is said to be a waste. Women get married and have children, why invest? For others, they believe that because men should be teaching and leading churches that training women isn’t a priority. In South Africa, there can similar attitude to training women for ministry. I have had the privilege of being a teacher at Johannesburg Bible College and I can say with confidence that training women in ministry is not a waste.” 

Here, Kylie interviews three women from the three JBC campuses: Rahaba, Duduzile and Eunice. 

Meet Rahaba Mapule  

Rahaba Mapule was born in Brakpan in Johannesburg. She is married with one daughter, and also cares for her three granddaughters. She has been a Christian for most of her life, yet admits that she had a period when she ignored God.

What is the most valuable thing you have learnt at JBC?   

I grew up thinking the Bible was mainly for men. After all, Eve was the first to sin, so I thought we were cursed and we were the reason sin was in the world. In my culture women are looked down upon, and I felt I wasn’t good enough for God. In the ‘Women Serving Christ’ Course we had the chance to look at Genesis 1-3 and saw that women are a part of God’s plan. This was amazing to me! We are not cursed! Every day I get to look into the Bible and I think the love of God is amazing.     

The best thing I learned at JBC was how to prepare and lead a Bible study. I now realize that Bible studies will work better for our women so that they can read and get to know the Bible themselves. I am excited to restructure the women’s ministry so that reading the Bible and getting to know Jesus becomes the centre of what we do.   

How has JBC equipped you for ministry?   

I work with women who are experiencing gender-based violence. This is amazing work. I know that women are valuable to God, and I am able to say this to the women I work with.  

I am involved in women’s ministry in the township of Alex. We meet together every second Saturday. We used to just pick a passage on the day, and preach from it. But I can see that what I did was more like a motivational talk—it wasn’t clearly from the Bible.  

Why do you think Bible training is important for women?   

When women are equipped, they can teach their children how to handle the Bible and to be obedient to it. In our community we say, “It takes a village to raise a child”. If I am equipped with God’s word, I can teach my children and those in their community God’s word. This can really change our community.   

Pray for Rahaba  

• Pray for planning and structuring the new women’s ministry which will include Bible studies every fortnight in Alex township.   
• Pray for Rahaba’s daughters and granddaughters, that they would hunger and desire God’s word. Pray that they would be a light to their community.   

Meet Duduzile Mabona 

Duduzile Mabona was born in Soweto. She grew with her maternal Grandmother (Gogo) before she died. Duduzile had a period of sadness and rejection from some family members. After years of suffering her aunt took her in showing her love and enabling her to study Education and Law.

What is the most important thing you learned at JBC?   

I have learnt that no matter what I teach it should be centred around Jesus. I used to teach generally but I now centre all my teaching about Jesus. It is Jesus who reaches people, converts and changes them. With everything we do Jesus needs to be at the centre.  

Why do you think training women is important?   

Women are pillars of the home and if they learn to teach their families God’s word this can spread outside the home. I have seen that many women are good at ministering to the vulnerable people. When women know God’s word they can bring it to people who need it, changing their communities and cities. They have a special opportunity.  

How has JBC equipped you for ministry?   

We learn the theory and then we practically do ministry. In class we have time to preach, run Bible studies, counsel, and run services so we can grow these skills. This has been very helpful as it’s not just about the head knowledge but we learn to do ministry practically.    

What ministry are you involved in?   

I am running a ministry called ‘The Right Connection’ which targets female high school students who come from disadvantaged backgrounds. We give them basics like bras, underwear and sanitary items. We have the chance to bring God’s word to the whole school at assembly. We are involved in six schools in the Soweto community and beyond, seeking to be a light to young people who need it. We hope to start a similar program for young men when we find sponsors.     

Pray for Duduzile  

• Pray for God to bring healing to Duduzile for her past experiences of hurt and rejection. Pray that she would have wisdom to trust people who are trustworthy.  
• Pray for opportunities to serve God full-time in ministry. Pray for wisdom, guidance and financial provision, so she can devote herself to God.   

Meet Eunice Qwabe   

Eunice Qwabe was born in Nongoma, KwaZulu-Natal. She has six children and six grandchildren, and currently lives in Alexandra. She came to JBC because she wanted to grow in knowledge of God and his word.

What is the best thing about being a Christian?   

The best thing about being a Christian is that even when you face challenges those challenges can build, shape and mould you. Challenges make you lean on God and the more challenges you have the more you turn to your Father. This is amazing!  

What is the most important thing you have learnt at JBC?   

I have learnt that in order for me to get the Word across to people, I need to understand it deeply. This has been an important lesson. I have loved being at JBC. They have been a good example of serving with love. Even the principal serves us tea and coffee. This is amazing!  

Why is training women important?   

Women are often good at engaging and comforting people. Many people come to me with their challenges, and if I can help them handle the situation with the word of God it’s a wonderful thing. Therefore, it’s so important to train women so they can guide people to Jesus, especially when suffering comes.   

How has training helped you in ministry?   

I work with a women’s fellowship and I have been using what I have been learning at JBC with the women who come. I am learning to deliver the Bible in the right way and bit by bit I am growing to be a better teacher of the word.   

Pray for Eunice 

• That she wins souls for Jesus’ sake  
• That the women’s ministry in Alex grows not only in number but also in knowledge of the Lord Jesus.   

 PRAY

  Pray that these women and many more would continue to be established in God’s word and equipped for ministry in South Africa.