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Mukhanyo Praise and Prayer - May 2021

13/5/2021

“You will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth. And when He had said these things, as they were looking on, He was lifted up, and a cloud took Him out of their sight… Men of Galilee…. This Jesus, who was taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you saw him go into heaven.” (Acts 1:8-11)

The Lord Jesus did not leave His disciples behind as orphans – they would be equipped and empowered by the Holy Spirit. That applies to all those following Him, even to us. As the disciples of old, we wonder when the Lord Jesus will return, and as the disciples of old we don’t know, but may the Lord help us to labour faithfully for Him until then!

Thank the Lord for the ministry of MTC and pray that He will equip and strengthen lecturers, support staff and students for the task He has entrusted to them.
Thank the Lord with us for the faithful intercessors and supporters He has given to MTC. Please pray that He will bless them and that strengthen and encourage them in their walk with Him and the challenges they may experience.
Apart from the normal day-to-day activities, the following is on the calendar for May:
1. Monday 10 May: Exams start at all five locations.
2. Tuesday 18 May: Executive Management meeting
3. Monday 24 May: Student Support Committee meeting
Exams – a short word, but it represents a lot of hard work! Pray for:
1. Our students – that they will be able to give clear account of what they learned.
2. Our lecturers who will be doing a lot of marking during this period and need wisdom in that.
Some of our students are struggling to pay their fees in time. Please pray that they will learn in a new way to look to the Lord for their needs and that He will provide for them.
On a personal note:
1. Pray for our Registrar, Greg Phillips and family after the short illness and death of his wife.
2. Thank the Lord for Tienie de Klerk who joined MTC as senior librarian. Pray for her for wisdom in her new task and that it will be a blessing to her to be part of the MTC family.
3. Pray for our Operations Manager, Jan Pelser and family as his wife, Ilsa, has been diagnosed with cancer for the second time.
The Annual Bible College Consultation is planned for the second week of June. Please pray:
1. For the planning committee.
2. The guest speakers as they have to prepare their teachings.
3. For good attendance as people have opportunity to register during May.

May the Lord bless you as support us through your prayers!

Mukhanyo Prayer and Praise - March 2021

12/3/2021

“Bless the LORD, O my soul, and forget not all his benefits, who forgives all your iniquity, who heals all your diseases, who redeems your life from the pit, who crowns you with steadfast love and mercy, who satisfies you with good so that your youth is renewed like the eagle's” (Psalm 103:2-5).

What a privilege that we may know the Lord God, the One Who is described in the verses above! And furthermore a privilege to work towards the spreading of the Light of the Gospel so that more people may know Him.

Thank the Lord with us that the ministry can continue unhindered. Some students are facing challenges and COVID-1919 does affect their lives, but by God’s grace MTC is continuing at the five centres.
Thank the Lord for His wonderful provision for the College and the students. We praise the Lord for our donors and intercessors that are supporting us. May He also bless them richly!
Pray for the Lord’s continued hand of protection and safety over MTC staff and students.
Pray for our lecturers as they interact with the students in the classroom, during mentoring sessions and in Devotions. That students won’t only gain academic knowledge, but will grow in their relationship with the Lord and their characters be shaped for ministry.
The following is on the calendar for March:
Monday 1 March: Audit and Risk meeting.
Tuesday 2 March: Executive Committee meeting.
Wednesday 3 March: Education Committee
Thursday 4 March: Student Welcoming function for students at KwaMhlanga campus.
Monday 8 March: Academic Committee meeting
Student Support Committee meeting.
Thursday 11 March: Operations Committee meeting
Board Meeting
Saturday 13 March: Graduation
Friday 26 March: Classes in recess until Tuesday 6 April.
There are still some vacancies, among others: a manager for our Johannesburg campus, a senior lecturer and a manager for our Honours programme as well as for the Masters programme that we will facilitate from July onwards. Pray that the Lord will send the right people to Mukhanyo.

May the Lord bless you as support us through your prayers.

Mukhanyo Prayer and Praise - February 2021

1/2/2021

“Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.’”
(John 8:12)

The new year has started. At the time of writing the first month is already drawing to a close. We don’t know what the year will bring, but we trust the Lord that it will be a year of many opportunities for the Gospel! May the Lord help us here at Mukhanyo that many church leaders will be equipped and trained for ministry and that our labours will contribute to the extension of His Kingdom in Southern Africa!

Thank the Lord with us for His hand of protection over the MTC staff during the past holiday season and the current COVID-19 wave.
Thank the Lord for the new students that enrolled and pray with us that their studies will be a great blessing for them.
Thank the Lord for new lecturers that joined our ranks – some on a full-time and some on a part-time basis. Pray that they will soon feel fully part of the Mukhanyo family and will quickly find their feet in the work.
There are still some vacancies, among others: a manager for our Johannesburg campus, a senior lecturer and a manager for our Honours programme as well as for the Masters programme that we will facilitate from July onwards. Pray that the Lord will send the right people to Mukhanyo.
Our Distance groups continue throughout. Pray that they will persevere in their studies and that it will be a great blessing to them.
On Monday 1 February the Academic Committee will meet. This committee consists of all those who are part of academic management. All the various aspects of the training are discussed there and decided on and they need wisdom to ensure the quality of MTC’s training on the academic, but also on the spiritual level.
Student mentorship will also start during February. Please pray that students will be confident to share what is on their hearts and these weekly sessions will proof to be a great blessing to them. Also pray for wisdom for the mentors to know how to deal with each student.
On Tuesday 9 February the Staff Forum will be held. Pray for unity among our staff and that each one will perform his or her duties whole-heartedly as for the Lord and not for people.
Thank the Lord for our precious intercessors and donors! Without them we would, humanly speaking, not been able to enter this new year and continue with the ministry. We realise they have their own needs and challenges that they are facing and it is our prayer that they may also experience the Lord’s provision, guidance and blessing!

Thank you very much for praying together with us.

Mukhanyo Prayer and Praise - December 2020 and January 2021

7/12/2020

“For who is God, but the LORD? And who is a rock, except our God? This God is my strong refuge and has made my way blameless. He made my feet like the feet of a deer and set me secure on the heights.” (2 Samuel 22:32-34)

December! The last month of the year – a year that was very different. What can we say? Many suffered hardships, losses and pain, but for the believer there is the comfort: God is our rock and our strong refuge and He guides us. He brought us safe thus far and will lead us safely Home! Here at Mukhanyo the academic year is drawing to an end. Our hearts are filled with gratitude towards the Lord and we gladly share the following points with you for prayer and praise!

We thank the Lord for His hand over Mukhanyo and His wonderful provision during 2020. He provided in many ways and apart from the initial lockdown, we could continue with the ministry of training church leaders for ministry. Praise His Name!
Thank the Lord with us for the conference for church leaders and alumni that was held on Saturday 14 November. It was very well attended and blessed by the Lord.
Although we are approaching the end of the year, the first few weeks of December will still be pretty busy with the following on the programme:
1. Tuesday 1 to Thursday 3 December – the last exams to be written by the students.
2. Tuesday 1 December – Executive Management meeting.
3. Tuesday 8 December – Post moderation meeting for Faculty.
4. Thursday 10 December – Assessment meeting.
5. Thursday 10 December – Academic Committee meeting.
6. Friday 11 December – Year end function for all staff
7. Friday 18 December – MTC offices close.
Please pray for all the preparations for the new academic year that are well underway. Those include: completing the teaching schedule, planning for the opening day in January, planning for registration as well as for orientation at the various campuses / advanced learning centres.
Our staff and students will enjoy a well-deserved rest after a strenuous year. Pray that the Lord will bless them during this time, give them a safe and peaceful break, make them witnesses for Him among (in some cases non-believing) family members and that they will return refreshed and encouraged.
The following in currently on the calendar for January:
1. Monday 4 January – office re-opens.
2. Monday 11 January – official opening day with times of Devotions and Staff Vision.
3. Tuesday 12 to Thursday 14 January – Orientation for contact students.
4. Monday 18 January – Registration for all contact students.
5. Tuesday 19 January – Classes start.
6. Monday 25 January – Faculty Forum

Thank you for standing with us through your prayers during 2020 and hopefully again in 2021!

Mukhanyo Prayer and Praise - October 2020

2/10/2020

“God is our refuge and strength, a very present help in trouble. Therefore we will not fear though the earth gives way, though the mountains be moved into the heart of the sea,… The LORD of hosts is with us; the God of Jacob is our fortress.”
(Psalm 46:1-2, 7)

Slowly but surely the world is opening up again after Covid-19 and the lock down that was applied in many places. Some things are returning “back to normal”. Other things are flowing into the mould of a “new normal” and will remain that way. There are also many people whose lives have changed permanently – either through the loss of a loved one or due to the economic crisis that is a result of the pandemic. But even though circumstances have changed, we may trust in the LORD of hosts Who is still with His children.

Please thank and trust the Lord together with us for the following:

Thank the Lord with us for His provision for and protection of the Mukhanyo family! We praise Him that this ministry can continue unhindered.
Thank the Lord with us that students can be trained at five locations (KwaMhlanga, Johannesburg, Pretoria, Rustenburg and Durban) as well as at many more distance groups. This is a wonderful open door and it is our prayer that many of these students will become well equipped pastors/spiritual leaders that will be a great blessing to their communities, churches and ministries.
October will be a busy month for our students. After a short study break in September, they have to give full attention to their studies. Please pray:
1. That the Lord will help them with the work load, assignments and tests.
2. That their studies won’t just give them academic knowledge, but will also help them in to grow spiritually.
3. That they will remain faithful in their personal time of devotion, Bible study and prayer.
4. That the Lord will be bless them and make them a blessing in the ministry they are involved in.
Many of our Distance students are working while studying part-time. The last few months or the year are often busy months – please pray that they will persevere and find the necessary time for their studies.
Some of our students come from families were there are not many believers. Please pray that the Lord will give them wisdom and grace for their situations and that their lives will be a testimony for Him.
Pray that the Lord will strengthen and encourage our administrative and support staff as they faithfully serve “behind the scenes”.
Thank the Lord that we had a blessed day of Strategic Planning on 18 September. We continue to trust the Lord to guide us according to His will. In the weeks to come management will start with plans for 2021. Please pray for the Lord’s guidance in this.

Thank you for standing with us in this ministry through your prayers!

Mukhanyo Praise and Prayer - September 2020

1/9/2020

“Whenever Moses held up his hand, Israel prevailed, and whenever he lowered his hand, Amalek prevailed. But Moses' hands grew weary, so they took a stone and put it under him, and he sat on it, while Aaron and Hur held up his hands, one on one side, and the other on the other side…” (Exodus 17:11-12)

Our supporters and intercessors are like Aaron and Hur that held Moses’ arms up during the war against the Amalek. Thank you so much that you are strengthening our arms in the battle through your interest, love, prayers and gifts. That is indeed a great blessing to us! We gladly share some items with you for prayer and praise.

Thank the Lord with us for His provision for and protection of the Mukhanyo family! We praise Him that this ministry can continue unhindered.
September is promising to be a full month! The following is on the programme:
1. Wednesday 2 September – Education Committee meeting
2. Thursday 17 September – Board meeting
3. Friday 18 September – Strategic Forum
4. Monday 21 to Friday 25 September – Study break for all our campus students.
5. Monday 21 September – Faculty Forum
6. Tuesday 22 and Wednesday 23 September – Distance Facilitators Forum
7. Tuesday 29 September – Classes on campuses and at Advanced Learning Centres resume
8. Tuesday 29 September – Executive Management committee meeting
9. Wednesday 30 September – Operations committee meeting.
Please pray with us for the day of Strategic planning on 18 September. This will be attended by just over 20 MTC staff members – mainly in leading positions. Pray that it will be a time where we together will experience God’s guidance regarding the plans for 2021. We want to say like Moses said to the Lord in Exodus 33:15: “If Your presence does not go with us, do not bring us up from here.”
The Forum for our Distance Facilitators is always a highlight in the year. It is not just a time of instruction for them, but also for spiritual upliftment and fellowship. They often enjoy to meet others and share ideas regarding their ministry to their students. Please pray that many will be able to attend and that it will indeed be a blessing. Please pray for all the preparations and arrangements too.
Pray that the last quarter of the academic year will start off well on 29 September and that our students will be able to complete their academic year unhindered.
Our Distance students really need perseverance as many are working or in fulltime ministry and also have to find time to study. As a result, they can only do a few modules at a time and it takes long to complete the qualification. It is our prayer that the Lord may encourage and strengthen them.
Please pray that the Lord may continue to provide for Mukhanyo as well as for our students individually. Some students (or their sponsors) are struggling to pay the fees.

Thank you for standing with us in this ministry!

Mukhanyo Praise and Prayer- August 2020

1/8/2020

“The LORD is my rock and my fortress and my deliverer, my God, my rock, in whom I take refuge, my shield, and the horn of my salvation, my stronghold” (Psalm 18:2).

While the Covid-19 storm is raging, we thank the Lord that we may know Him and that He is our rock and our fortress. We are also very grateful that we are able to continue with the ministry that He has given to us. Although we had to “change gears” a few times during the past few months, we are grateful that we are almost functioning normally. We gladly share some items with you for prayer and praise.

Thank the Lord for His hand over protection over the Mukhanyo family during these difficult times.
Thank the Lord for His continued and faithful provision for the Mukhanyo ministry and for the dear prayer friends and supporters He has given us. It is our prayer that He will also supply in their needs.
With the second semester for contact students starting at the end of July, August is expected be a month of classes at all five our centres. Pray:
1. That we will be able to continue as normally as possible.
2. For our students in their studies – for good progress and that it won’t just be “academic knowledge”, but life transforming truths that they gain.
3. For our lecturers and academic management as they teach and guide.
4. For some of the lecturers that have to work from home due to health concerns. Those are making use of on-line lecturing which is useful, but an adjustment for lecturers and students.
With the teaching schedule for the second semester in progress, the mentorship sessions with students were also resumed. Pray that:
1. Our lecturers leading those, will be able to encourage the students in their walk with the Lord in the uncertain times we are currently experiencing.
2. Our students will have receptive hearts to receive teaching from the Word and will have the desire to grow spiritually.
Pray that our Distance students will be encouraged in their studies. They had to make adjustments as well and some have financial needs and serious other challenges.
The following is on the programme for August:
1. Tuesday 11 August – Management committee meeting
2. Wednesday 19 August – Audit and Risk committee meeting.
3. Tuesday 25 August – Academic committee meeting
Please pray with us that:
1. The Lord will continue to provide for Mukhanyo and the students.
2. The Lord will continue to keep the Mukhanyo family safe.
3. The Lord will also bless and protect our precious donors and prayer friends.
4. Each of us serving at Mukhanyo will experience it as a calling and that we will give our best.

Thank you for your continued partnership with Mukhanyo through your interest, support and intercession.

Mukhanyo Praise and Prayer - July 2020

26/6/2020

“‘For the mountains may depart and the hills be removed, but my steadfast love shall not depart from you, and my covenant of peace shall not be removed,’ says the LORD, who has compassion on you.” (Isaiah 54:10)

Suppose it is many years ago since the world and the Body of Christ as whole had to deal with so much uncertainty as what we have been experiencing lately and still are experiencing. But amidst of it all, the Lord promises that His love will not depart from His children and His covenant of peace with them will not be removed. Many things may change and be uncertain, but He remains the same – He, the God of heaven and earth!

Thank the Lord with us that we haven’t received any news about staff or students being infected by the Covid-19 virus and let us pray that He will continue to keep the Mukhanyo family safe.
After the lockdown regulations were relaxed a bit more, Mukhanyo could gradually start to re-open on 8 June with some staff and contact students on campus. It was wonderful to enter the gates of Mukhanyo again and meet some of the Mukhanyo family after 11 weeks!
We thank the Lord that we were able to buy the necessary Personal Protective Equipment for our campuses and Advanced Learning Centres. Pray for our Operations team that continually have to ensure that Mukhanyo is compliant to Covid-19 regulations.
Please pray that no Covid-19 infections will occur on campus or at the Advanced Learning Centres and that our programme will not be affected in a negative way in the months to come.
Our Academic Management team had to adjust the programme for the first semester and currently the plans are as follows:
1. From 1 to 16 July: Exams for contact students on the campuses and at Advanced Learning Centres.
2. Tuesday 21 July: Post Moderation meeting.
3. Friday 24 July: Assessment meeting.
4. Tuesday 28 July: Start of the second semester.
5. From 20 to 27 July: Short study break for the students.
Some adjustments had to be made, but the Lord continues to provide in a wonderful way for the MTC family and ministry. Please pray together with us:
1. That we may continue to experience the Lord’s wonderful provision in the months to come where the effect of the lockdown will still be seriously felt across the world.
2. That the Lord will also provide for our students so that they can continue their studies unhindered.
3. For our donors who fighting their own battles in the current economic climate.
4. For wisdom for the management at MTC as they have to take overhead decisions about financial matters, but also oversee the day-to-day expenditure.
5. That we will all continue to be good stewards of what the Lord has entrusted to us.

Thank you for your continued partnership with Mukhanyo through your interest, support and intercession.

Mukhanyo Praise and Prayer - June 2020

25/5/2020

“Come now, you who say, ‘Today or tomorrow we will go into such and such a town…’ yet you do not know what tomorrow will bring. What is your life? For you are a mist that appears for a little time and then vanishes. Instead you ought to say, ‘If the Lord wills, we will live and do this or that’.”
(James 4:13-15)

When…? Why…? How…? These words are currently used more often than before as we all entered a period of “unknown uncertainty”. Many plans were cancelled or drastically adjusted. Not to talk about lives that were lost unexpectedly. This uncertainty is all over the globe and there are different responses. However, we as Christians may know that God is still on the Throne amidst all this and we are only reminded in a new way that we actually always have to say: “If the Lord wills, we will…”

Thank the Lord with us – we haven’t received any news about staff or students being infected by the COVID-19 virus and let us pray that He will continue to keep the Mukhanyo family safe.
Pray for our staff and students that the Lord will use their testimony of hope in Christ, in these dark and difficult times. That we may truly be a light in the darkness of despair.
Our students and staff are at home since 20 March. After an initial study break, many are now parttime working and studying from home. However, we are praying for God’s blessing and they will be able to spend more time with the Word of God and in prayer, as well as with close family.
Our lecturers are currently assisting the students remotely to complete the studies of the first semester and to prepare for the exams. In the light of that, please pray with us for the following:
- For reliable internet connectivity for lecturers and students. This is particularly a problem to those outside the cities.
- That our students will find a quiet spot at home where they can focus on their studies. With many people at home, that can be a challenge.
- That our students will be able to understand clearly what the lecturers are conveying to them through the limited means of contact.
- For wisdom for our lecturers to prioritize and explain the work.
At the time of writing, we are uncertain as when tertiary education institutions in South Africa will be allowed to resume contact sessions. Hopefully it will be in (early?) June. In the light of that, please pray with us for the following:
1. That we will soon be able to reopen at all our campuses/centres.
2. For all the practical arrangements on the go to be compliant to Covid-19 regulations when we reopen.
3. For wisdom for our academic management to schedule a last number of contact sessions before the exams.
4. That we will be able to schedule the exams during June and early July so that the second semester can start at the right time.

Thank you for your continued support in prayer. May you also experience God’s blessing, peace and provision in this challenging period of histor

Mukhanyo Prayer and Praise - May 2020

8/5/2020

“Blessed is he whose help is the God of Jacob, whose hope is in the LORD his God, who made heaven and earth, the sea, and all that is in them, who keeps faith forever; who executes justice for the oppressed, who gives food to the hungry.” (Psalm 146:5-7)

These are wonderful and comforting words in a time of great uncertainty, fear, worry and despair. He is the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. The God who made heaven and earth and never failed anybody. May the Lord help us all to keep our eyes on Him and put our trust in Him and not on a “son of man”.

Thank the Lord with us – we haven’t received any news from staff or students being affected by the Corona virus and let us pray that He will continue to keep the Mukhanyo family safe.
Our students and staff are at home since 20 March. Please pray that the Lord will help each one to spend more time with His Word and in prayer. This could also be a time to strengthen relationships with family. Pray that the Lord will bless the time spent with loved ones.
Some of the Mukhanyo family are the only Christians in their families – or maybe one of a few. That can be extra difficult during a period of lock down. Please pray that the Lord will give them grace to be witnesses for Him among their loved ones and that some may put their trust in Christ.
As a College we are facing many uncertainties. This is rather difficult as little proper planning can be done. Please pray that the Lord will help us to rest in Him, have patience and to use this time allowing ourselves to be built up spiritually by seeking Him in prayer and with His Word.
Pray for wisdom for the management team and the Board of Mukhanyo. Amidst all the uncertainties, they have to make decisions and give guidance. They truly need special wisdom from the Lord in this time.
Pray that when we will be able to resume classes, we will be able to reschedule the academic calendar effectively for the benefit of our students.
Many of our faculty and students are involved in ministry in their churches. Life will be different after the lock down period and they will need wisdom and guidance from the Lord on how to be more effective in their churches after this.
Let us thank the Lord for His provision, also for Mukhanyo, and pray that He will continue to provide in the time that lies ahead. Pray that we will be able to continue with this ministry to the glory of His Name.
Let us pray that the Lord will help His children across the world to keep their eyes on Him and trust Him in the current difficult times and in the weeks and months to come.

Thank you for your continued support in prayer. May you also experience God’s blessing, peace and provision in this challenging period of history.

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