Faith in Expression: Kopanong's Outreach to Lesotho
- Ethan Kleynhans
- 5 days ago
- 3 min read
Faith was never meant to remain in books or church buildings. It becomes visible when it is lived out through service, community and the proclamation of the gospel. With this conviction, a group of students from Waypoint Student Ministry in the Free State travelled to Lesotho during the winter to live, learn and serve alongside our brothers and sisters in Christ.
On Saturday, 27 June, the team departed from Kopanong Student Ministry in Bloemfontein. The outreach was led by Rev. Wouter van Velden, whose many years of dedication to mission work and living out the gospel were a great privilege and inspiration to the team.
Our first destination was the remote village of Qomoqomong in the Quthing District, where Moruti Paul and his church council warmly welcomed us. On the very first evening, the group gathered to reflect on the theme that would characterise the entire outreach: together with Brother Lawrence, practising the presence of God intentionally in everyday life.
On Sunday, we attended the local worship service. The congregation honoured every member of our team with a Sesotho name, a special gesture of acceptance and belonging. Afterwards, we were invited to a traditional memorial meal in remembrance of someone who had passed away. It was a precious opportunity to experience Basotho culture and hospitality firsthand. One of the lighter moments of the day came when a very enthusiastic elderly Basotho man unexpectedly proposed marriage to one of our team members—an offer that was kindly, but firmly, declined.
Monday was spent with the children of the village. Games, laughter and new friendships filled the day. Later, the group climbed a mountain to visit a cave where shepherds still tend their flocks, a unique experience of the breathtaking Lesotho highlands. During the afternoon, a film was shown inside the church using a projector against one of the interior walls. NG Gemeente Bloemfontein-Wes also donated clothing, which the congregation received with heartfelt gratitude.
On Tuesday, the team travelled to Morija to report to the theological school of the Lesotho Evangelical Church in Southern Africa (LECSA), where we served until 8 July. From Wednesday onwards, we worked alongside the LECSA theology students on various restoration projects. Dormitory rooms were painted, approximately 150 metres of water pipeline were installed to provide water to the theological school, and a ceiling was fitted in one of the historic buildings. This practical service demonstrated that the gospel is not only proclaimed but also made visible through loving service to others.
The outreach, however, consisted of more than physical labour. Because the theological school currently does not have a lecturer in Hebrew, I presented introductory Hebrew classes each morning. The aim was to equip students with the fundamentals of Biblical Hebrew and to help them use digital tools on their mobile phones that could enrich their exegesis and, ultimately, their preaching.
What probably impacted the team most deeply was the extraordinary hospitality of our brothers and sisters in Lesotho. Every evening, water was heated for us so that we could wash, and on Friday evening we were invited to celebrate Holy Communion together with them. Sitting together as brothers and sisters around the Lord's Table became a tangible expression of the unity of the body of Christ.
On Sunday, we worshipped in the historic church building in Morija, which was built as early as 1833. Afterwards, we visited the local museum, where we learned more about Lesotho's history, the iconic Basotho blankets and the region's rock art. Throughout the outreach, we experienced the sincere faith, humility and hospitality of the Basotho believers.
As James continues, "I will show you my faith by my deeds." (James 2:18)
On Wednesday, 8 July, the team began the journey back to Bloemfontein, stopping for lunch in Ladysmith along the way. Back at Kopanong, we unpacked, said our goodbyes and each returned to the calling God has placed on our lives.
This outreach reminded us once again that faith is far more than knowledge we accumulate. It finds its true purpose when it becomes visible through service, community and love. By working together, worshipping together, learning together and sharing around the Lord's Table, we experienced something of the worldwide Church of which Christ is the Head.
Mission is therefore not merely something the Church does; it is the way the Church lives. When the gospel shapes our hearts, our faith inevitably becomes visible in our hands, our feet and our relationships. As James continues, "I will show you my faith by my deeds." (James 2:18) That is theology in expression.
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