Connecting people with God
LAST Sunday, I attended the Rev Zwelidumile Tom’s last official ceremony at the St Stephen’s Anglican Church, in New Brighton. The service also served as a farewell celebration for Tom.
The non-conformist and energetic preacher is embarking on his next mammoth Christian assignment: to serve the people of the poverty-stricken and poorly resourced synod of Cradock, in the Karoo. He was praised by speakers from the church and community for his constructive role and contribution to the church, and the community at large.
Tom arrived at St Stephen’s in April 2009 when the parish was at its lowest ebb. However, Tom turned the fortunes of the church around.
In his sermon on Sunday, he told the packed church that when he came to minister at St Stephen’s, his first objective was to “connect his church members with God”. He wanted them to have “a special relationship with Him”.
Tom has been in the ministry for more than 25 years. He completed his theology studies at St Paul’s Theological College in Grahamstown.
After that he enlisted in various honours and masters degree programmes, mainly in theology, philosophy and development studies. He is described by congregants as having an insatiable propensity to expand his knowledge.
Tom is credited for his pastoral, missionary and theological awakening in the broader community. The church under him undertook numerous projects that made a difference in the community.
One such programme was the partnership with Cowan High School. Cowan school governing body chairman Philip Tsoaleleo praised Tom for his contribution and wisdom in assisting the school to move from a decaying institution into one of the most promising schools in the townships.
Monga Peter, of the South African NGO Coalition (Sangoco), described Tom as a “visionary”. He “inspired unity and collaboration amongst civic society organisations, leaders and members in the metro”.
His work in the church was highlighted by Mpumi Mantshongo, a senior member of the parish council. He said Tom had promoted quality preaching.
Tom was an avid reader, and researched and prepared for the topic he had to deal with. Some of his milestones were the formulation and adoption of financial statements, erection of boundary walls, massive renovations of the rectory, church and the hall, Mantshongo said.
Tom was also instrumental in the formation of the Nelson Mandela Consultation of Christian Churches (NMBCCC). “We have been immensely blessed by the opportunity of having Rev Tom at St Stephen’s,” Mantshongo concluded.
Tom said he was content with his accomplishments, while being equally aware of the unfinished task he left behind. However, he was upbeat and optimistic about his abilities to confront the daunting challenges that lay ahead.
He paid tribute to each and every one in St Stephen’s for affording him an opportunity to achieve some of the milestones that the parish council was talking about. He would be eternally grateful to the people of Port Elizabeth for giving “a child of illiterate parents from Grahamstown to preach the gospel and transform people’s lives. It was my mission to recapture the gospel glow of earlier years of this parish,” proclaimed the non-conformist cleric in an emotionally-charged sermon.
He had and would always refuse to “shape the church witness according to the mundane patterns of a South Africa that has lost its moral compass”, he said.
He would not allow the occasion to be used to party and feast. Instead he opted to use his last sermon to educate people about the true values of the Christian teachings.
People had to sacrifice fame and fortune for the causes that were right. “Leadership accountability,” said Tom, “is one of the mainstay for physical, mental and spiritual progress.”
He concluded his preaching by saying that for the church to regain its power it must only conform to the demands of the Scripture.
Boardwalk chairperson Bongi Siwisa, a St Stephen’s congregant, described Tom as an “astute administrator”. “He has put in place systems, policies and procedures to ensure the church is run along business principles.
“He has an ability to unearth talent, and he places education and community development high on his agenda.”
Tom has been, and continues to be, the epitome of the contextualisation and inclination of Jesus Christ’s teachings.
He is a man who changed and redirected St Stephen’s to its former iconic glory. He remains vital, engaged, and dedicated to serve his Lord.
“Through his [Tom’s] words and deeds each one of us must follow his example of taking part in making our community, nation and world a better place for everyone,” former metro speaker Maria Hermans said, “Tom served with humility and he maintained his perspective, even when things are not going according to plan.”
The admirable work of Tom is summed up well by Methodist district bishop Andile Mbete, on behalf of many Christian leaders, who wrote, “We are proud of you and of what you have become in God’s vineyard”.