BCYD Youth Winter Rallies 2012 (info)

Dear Ground Breakers! 

We are excited for  what God has in store for  the BCSA Youth Winter Rallies starting this weekend with the Southern and Sikhukhune Regions hosting theirs. We are joyfully anticipating seeing souls saved and young people together with young adults being challenged to fully use their lives for God’s glory. We are indeed humbled and excited that churches want to come and participate in the BCSA youth regional activities from year to year. If young people from your church haven’t been part of this exciting youth winter gatherings,  We would like to invite your church’s youth group to return or come and be a part of BCSA youth Winter Rallies for the first time.

On behalf of the BCSA we would like to you wish all the regions that will be hosting their Winter camp starting from this weekend an awesome and a Spirit filled weekend. And we hoping all the final arrangements are going well. We will continue praying for the success of all BCSA regional Winter Camps. We hoping to see and interact with some of you for those whose camps we will be joining as the National committee. I urge all young people to co-operate with our regional leaders in paying their deposits on time so as to make sure that all goes in apple pie order.

I hope that we will all commit to doing these one thing before coming to camp.

·       Pray – Plan special events for your youth group to pray specifically about camp,  unity, and focus as they go. Personally commit as the leader of the group continually pray for each camper by name before coming to camp.

 

Lets us continue being a young generation that continues IMPACTING LIVES

BCYD Committee

Nkosinathi Mothibi

President of the Baptist Convention of South Africa Youth Department

It's more than just a public holiday (16th June; Youth Day)

It has been 36years since the youth of South Africa marched in all parts of the country on a lonely journey for a better education, a transformed South Africa. Many of those who bravely took that journey did not live to see a free South Africa, but died as young as they were on their freedom march. Many others were imprisoned because of their efforts. On this day, we as the BCSA youth salute them, the children of 1976, who gave their lives so that we and future generations of South Africans could free ourselves from the yoke of apartheid, establish a new democratic order and live together in peace and harmony. The fruits of their journey is our democracy. For the youth of our country, together with the workers, the women, the religious leaders in all the various organizations of our people, played their part in our national liberation struggle. But democracy is only the beginning of a new journey that the South African youth, the South African people must take towards a common destiny. The critical question, however, is what are the challenges that our youth face today. Do we all have a common understanding and vision of the struggles into which the energies of the youth need to be channelled? Today, the struggle continues, but the enemy has changed. The enemy now is homelessness, hunger, poverty, in the many forms that they manifest themselves. It is this struggle that should now challenge the youth, in all their formations, to wake up in the morning and begin every single day with more determination than ever before to make a mark in this new struggle. Indeed, this is the historic challenge that faces us today. It is a challenge that we dare not fail in meeting. It is a site of struggle wherein the youth should take their rightful place. None dare challenge the youth when they dig trenches, as indeed they should, in the frontline of this crusade against hunger and poverty! For it is this battle that will take us to the destination of sustained development and prosperity for our people. In practical ways, the youth of our country must seek to develop themselves so as to work in more effective and efficient ways towards a new reality. This can be achieved through youth empowerment, through programmes such as the contact, information and career counselling programme of the NYDA Fund which is aimed at providing information and support regarding careers; The skills development of youth continues to be a priority and part of the battle that needs to be fought for the full attainment of our freedom We call upon our BCSA youth in all their formations across the country to conscientise themselves about these developments and to play a catalytic role in ensuring that they access these programmes for their communities. When we call on our BCSA youth to be fully part of lMPACTING LIVES vision and to lend a hand and volunteer their services for collective developments, we are saying that they themselves are among the most important agents of change. Our BCSA youth must be conscious participants in community programmes, in caring for the aged and disabled, for those who are suffering from HIV/AIDS and other diseases. Community youth service is also important because it is through these selfless deeds, that our youth attain technical expertise and life skills, while at the same time, they are developing their communities. Our BCSA youth must be among those who offer their services to government departments to perform volunteer work. This is a call to battle! A call to join forces as the BCSA youth in a new struggle towards attaining our developmental goals and arriving at a common destination. Clearly, this destination must mean an end to homelessness, an end to poverty, an end to disease, to unemployment, to hardship and suffering. The endpoint of our journey must be the economic recovery of our country and our continent, successful social reconstruction, effective moral regeneration and a flowering of our languages and our culture. Out of these processes must unfold a new identity of what it means to be Baptist, what it means to be a South African youth in the context of the world. It is to reach this common destination that we are waging this war against poverty and lending a hand in IMPACTING LIVES. We do this so that the youth, the women, the families of our country may benefit by having housing, clean water, electricity, food to eat, a bed in which to sleep, to contribute to the greater, collective good of all our people, both young and old. We are transforming this country into something better, providing the necessary policies for change, implementing action plans so that the youth of our country will be able not only to dream at night about a better future but also use knowledge, skills, infrastructure and resources to make that dream of a better life a real and living reality. The BCSA youth ought to be at the vanguard of the popular movement towards South Africa's renewal and demonstrate their commitment in education, in health, in addressing unemployment and in skills development. When we call on our youth to study hard at school, we are saying to them that as we strive to make our country a better place for all who live in it, so too must you prepare now in all your efforts to take over the leadership from us some day and do even more than we are doing now to modernize our economy, to build our society, to make us equal competitors in the global information age. As we honour our youth who braved the streets in 1976, we think also of all those who died at the prime of their lives at the hands of apartheid killers because of their determination and participation in the struggle. On the night before his murder by the apartheid hangman, a young and brave Solomon Mahlangu comforted his mother and the nation with the words; "Do not cry for me, for my blood will nourish the tree that will bear the fruits of our freedom". For Solomon Mahlangu, for Hector Petersen, for Steve Biko, for Dulcie September, for all our departed heroes and heroines, the BCSA youth and the youth of our country at large must answer the call to take forward the gains of our democracy and to help us to attain our vision of IMPACTING LIVES. For the sake of our communities, our country and our continent, this call must spread far and wide from here in CBYD and SGBYD, to ECYD, to NCYD, to MYD and to NWYD. Let us together lend a hand to broaden access to IMPACT LIVES. Forward to the new struggle of the youth! Nkosinathi Mothibi Baptist Convention of South Africa Youth Department President

Dig Deeper - BCYD Summit 2012

Dear Groundbreakers,

Last weekend (11-13 May 2012) seventy local, regional and national youth leaders from seven different regions (Capricorn, Central, South Gauteng, North West, Great North, Mpumalanga) met to reflect, discuss, plan and decided on several youth ministry issues concerning the BCYD.

Together we laughed, cried, prayed, sang, worshipped, learned, listened, and talked through the nights. Special guests among us this year were the BCSA General Secretary Chris Dikana together with the Missions Director of the BCSA, Dan Pratt from the BCC, and our international guests Kristina Hasenpusch and Maike Telkamp.

Fist and foremost we want to thank God for giving us the freedom and opportunity to join him in building his Kindgdom on earth as it is in heaven. We as well want to thank those who helped to make the event a success, participated at the summit, or prayed for the meetings on our behalf.

 

Faithfully your BCYD 

 

 

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 Here two quick notes:

Very significant was the adoption of our new BCYD constitution. In the words of our current BCYD President Nathi Mothibi: After so many years of work initiated by the likes of Barnabas Masekwameng and Mohau Molefe back 2001 has now finally paid off. Its gives me great pleasure to announce that during our 2012 summit the BCYD Constitution was adopted by the summit. Would like to thank the Legal team for the job well done on the document and the contributions of our great and decisive leader. #Dig Deeper#

As well as a "word of thanks" from our current BCYD General Secretary Sipho Mngomezulu: Thanks to everyone who participated in the BCYD Leadership Summit. We believe that important ideas and some practical actions were discussed and hatched. It was great to see everyone who turned out; there were so many leaders in the house. Special thanks to our international guests from Germany, the BCSA GS and Missions Director, the legal board and the YAF Consultant. Not forgetting our former President His Excellency Elias Makuwa. We are very proud and honoured to work with you all.

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Below you can find some more pictures:

BCYD Summit 2012 directions

Directions to Goodlands Estate.  

Take the N1 to Zambezi Road exit. Take the R513 (Zambezi Road extension) east towards Cullinan for 1 km. At first robot turn left onto the R573 towards Moloto, KwaMahlanga for 25km. Pass Roodeplaat dam, the Pienaars River, the Police Dog School, the Kameelfontein turn-off to right and Walmannsthall turn-off to the left.
Cross over Krokodilspruit, rise over next hill, pass under Eskom high tension lines and turn right onto dirt road towards Cullinan. Signposted ‘Boekenhout sand’, ‘ Octagon’ and ‘Bergsig Nursery. After about 4 km look out for hill with cliff on right, with lane of large thorn trees coming down towards road. Turn right at sign saying "Malperthuis, Kamp Reynard, de Vos, Breytenbach, Fourie, Hamman”. At T junction, turn left towards Kamp Reynard.

 (Or go to: http://www.goodland.co.za/index.php?option=com_content&view=article&id=18&Itemid=27)

SAPPI - Engineering Apprenticeship

 

Sappi Southern Africa
Enstra Mill

Career Opportunity

POSITION Engineering Student/Apprentice (Instrumentation / Mechanical / Electrical)
(Temporary learnership positions)

PURPOSE OF THE JOB
To qualify as an artisan on completion of the training program.

REPORTING TO the respective HR Consultants – L&D (Instrumentation / Mechanical /
Electrical)

MAIN RESPONSIBILITIES
 · Incumbent to complete all theoretical and practical modules successfully for Phase 1
and Phase 2 of MERSETA Apprenticeship program as an Engineering student.
· Complete in plant training as per MERSETA Apprenticeship program as an
apprentice.

 KEY COMPETENCIES / SKILLS
· Technical understanding
· Good problem-solving and communication skills
· Attention to detail

 REQUIRED MINIMUM QUALIFICATIONS / EXPERIENCE
· Grade 12 / N3 with Mathematics and Science or equivalent qualification.

If you meet the specified requirements please forward a detailed CV with proof of your qualifications.
Closing date for applications: 18 May 2012

Applications to be sent to: Beverley Woodhouse, Sappi Enstra HR +27 (0) 360 0220 or fax: +27 (0) 86 679 3101 or Beverley.Woodhouse@sappi.com

Sappi is committed to creating a diverse environment and is proud to be an equal opportunity employer. All qualified applicants will receive consideration for employment without regard to race, color, religion, gender, gender identity or expression, sexual orientation, national origin, genetics, disability, age, or veteran status. Should you not have been contacted within 14 days of the closing date of this advert, please consider your application unsuccessful.

Easter 2012!!! The reason why we live...

Dear Groundbreakers! 

It is this time of the year again, were millions and millions of Christians gather around as a global family to celebrate the most significant sacrifice in the histrory of the world. 

The reason why we live, are able to celebrate freedom of sin, absolute peace with God and eternal life!

On the coming weekend we remind ourselves and the communities we life in about Christ's suffering, death and most importantly His resurrection as He overcame death!

May you have a wonderful Easter Celebration!

Your BCYD

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Below you can read an inspiring Easter-message from BWA:

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Bowed down: Lifted up!

The Cross of Jesus stands on the hill of Golgotha. What a study in paradox!

It is a picture of utter powerlessness. The man who hangs on the cross has fed the hungry, healed the sick, raised the dead. Now, he is on a cross, dying in shame, condemned by the authorities who exact the maximum punishment for crimes against the state. What a sad story! What a pitiful sight!

Yet, the picture of the man hanging on Golgotha's hill is also a study in victory. The gruesome death of that man at Calvary is preceded by a terrible travesty of justice. The suffering of the innocent man is not the result of any sin he has committed, but of our sins - yours and mine! And on the cross, the Father exalted him so that, victorious, he may draw all human beings to the Godhead.

Oh the majestic power of powerlessness! The Son of God, battered, bruised and broken, stands with outstretched arms to embrace every single person who is captive to sin! The sin of the whole world is in his hands! And he reaches out to offer us a word of forgiveness and to show us how to experience victory in the midst of our powerlessness.

It should surprise no one that the cruel death by crucifixion of the Anointed One was followed by the miracle of the resurrection. What once appeared as an unquestionable sign of failure is indeed a clear pointer to the triumph of obedient faith. It is through powerlessness that divine power shines brightly. Divine victory often appears robed in the rags of powerlessness. If we wait to understand it, we soon see its beauty, its worth, its majesty and its greatness.

May we spend ourselves in the service of Christ, valuing self-denial, daily taking up our cross, and following Christ. Joy will mark our times of hardship and, in the end, we enter into unspeakable peace!

Neville Callam

General Secretary

Baptist World Alliance  

Language translations of this message can be downloaded at http://www.bwanet.org   

Human Rights Day, 21 March 2012

Dear Groundbreakers,

Today we celebrate humanity. As Christians we believe that all people are created by God, we have equal rights and responsibilities. We should treat each other with dignity, respect, love and care regardless of our status, social or cultural background.

Let's reflect on humanity and God's involvement in our lives through the poetic word's of King David: 

¹³ For you created my inmost being;
   you knit me together in my mother’s womb.
¹⁴ I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;
   your works are wonderful,
   I know that full well.
¹⁵ My frame was not hidden from you
   when I was made in the secret place,
   when I was woven together in the depths of the earth.
¹⁶ Your eyes saw my unformed body;
   all the days ordained for me were written in your book
   before one of them came to be.
¹⁷ How precious to me are your thoughts,^[a] God!
   How vast is the sum of them!
¹⁸ Were I to count them,
   they would outnumber the grains of sand—
   when I awake, I am still with you. 

(Psalm 139:13-18)

Your BCYD

If you want more information regarding this public holiday read below:

21 March [Human Rights Day]

The Bill of Rights contained in the Constitution is the cornerstone of democracy in South Africa.

The Constitution provides for the establishment of the South African Human Rights Commission (SAHRC). The aim of the Commission is to promote respect for human rights, promote the protection, development and attainment of human rights, and to monitor and assess the observance of human rights in SA. The SAHRC was launched on 21 March 1996, 35 years after the fateful events of 21 March 1960 when demonstrators in Sharpeville were gunned down by police.

The Native Laws Amendment Act of 1952 extended Government control over the movement of Africans to urban areas and abolished the use of the Pass Book (a document which Africans were required to carry on them to ‘prove’ that they were allowed to enter a ‘white area’) in favour of a reference book which had to be carried at all times by all Africans.

Failure to produce the reference book on demand by the police, was a punishable offence. The Pan Africanist Congress (PAC) proposed an anti-Pass campaign to start on 21 March 1960. All African men were to take part in the campaign without their passes and present themselves for arrest.

Campaigners gathered at police stations in townships near Johannesburg where they were dispersed by police. At the Sharpeville police station a scuffle broke out. Part of a wire fence was trampled, allowing the crowd to move forward. The police opened fire, apparently without having been given a prior order to do so. Sixty-nine people were killed and 180 wounded.

In apartheid South Africa this day became known as Sharpeville Day and although not part of the official calendar of public holidays the event was commemorated among anti-apartheid movements.

 (http://www.info.gov.za/aboutsa/holidays.htm#21march)