Global Ministries Celebrates the Rehabilitation of Khotla LEC, in Makhakhe, Lesotho

Lesotho

The Lesotho Evangelical Church (LEC) is one of Africa’s oldest Protestant churches, founded in 1833 by missionaries from the Paris Evangelical Mission society. The LEC is Lesotho’s oldest denomination and today has several hundred thousand members in over 100 parishes branching out into hundreds of outstations.

The LEC has long been involved in ministries of evangelism, education, and health. The church has around 580 primary and secondary schools, a seminary and Bible school, two hospitals, one community health center, a major printing works and book depot. For many years they have had a Women’s Desk and, in recent years, they have established an HIV/AIDS office. The church is well-known for speaking out for justice and righteousness and has, in times past, suffered for speaking truth to power. The church seeks to meet both the spiritual and physical needs of the people of Lesotho.

In late 2012 a grant of $6,500 was given by Global Ministries to the Khotla LEC congregation to help complete the construction of a church. The congregation had already raised the funds needed to construct the walls of the church, but had struggled to raise the $8,000 needed for the materials to finish the roof (members of the congregation donated their labor). After raising $1500 themselves, they applied for a grant from Global Ministries and thanks to special gifts to Global Ministries designated for ministries in Lesotho, and the work of missionary Mark Behle, the $6,500 grant was possible.

The roof was completed in March, and in April Reverend Seotsanyana reported that:

• Congregational giving has doubled since the roofing project started
• Congergational support of the denomination’s Central Fund has improved dramatically – with the first four months of 2013 nearly equalling the total from 2012.
• Attendance at services has greatly improved
• Former members, who stopped attending long ago, have returned
• The congregation raised an additional $500 for windows (which have been installed)
• The congregation has begun planning for future work to further improve the sanctuary

The financial support received has sparked new life in this congregation, and they will not be resting now that the roof is complete. Mark Behle, Global Ministries Missionary serving in Lesotho reported that, It is evident that the project has generated a grateful response in the church and they are returning thanks to God by improving their support of other projects through the Central Fund.

Helping communities to repair and improve their centers of faith is just one of the many ways in which Global Ministries accompanies partners in seeking our vision of sharing God’s abundant life with all of creation. There are still many projects waiting for your support – Learn More

On the map below you can clearly see the church before its roof was completed (the shadows cast by the walls create a darkened rectangle). If you feel like exploring the surrounding area, you can find the small village of Khotla just South of the church.