The Atlantis Ministerial and Advocacy Fellowship, better known as the Pastoral Fraternal of Atlantis, recently played host to a delegation from Liberia who visited Atlantis on Thursday 27 April, Freedom Day.
This initiative was made possible by South African Faith and Family Institute (SAFFI) and the Pan-Africa Initiative.
According to David Waggenstroom, secretary of the Pastoral Fraternal, the fellowship felt honoured to have the pastors of Liberia visiting the tip of Africa.
Their leader, Pastor Stephen Tour, pointed out that Liberia is a war-torn country that has experienced many war crimes, particularly against women and children, including rape, domestic violence, gender-based violence, poverty and teenage pregnancy. He said on Freedom Day here millions in South Africa are not yet free, also sharing some light on their fight for freedom in Liberia.
While South Africa is not a war-torn country, it has experienced the same societal ills as its brothers and sisters in Liberia, so it shares its sentiments, Waggenstroom added.
“We exchange meaningful experiences and from the point of view of the Pastoral Fraternal we need to stand in the gap to be a voice for the oppressed, destitute and voiceless.
“To apprehend these complex issues the pastoral fraternal and SAFFI took on a holistic approach, and that’s why [our visitors] came to Atlantis where they’ve been taken on a road show.”
The delegates were shown around a the police station, the Thutuzela Centre, Shelter for Battered Women, and they were interviewed on Radio Atlantis. The roadshow came to an end at the Dunes in the late afternoon.
The pastoral fraternal would like to thank and acknowledge Katie Roman, Nolene Zinke and doctor Elizabeth Hoorn from SAFFI, local WO Abrahams, Charmaine of Thutuzela Centre, Rachel Watson of Shelter for Battered Women, Pastor Wayne Thomas from Sunshine Farm, Pastor Hester Moses and Pastor Benji from the Radio Atlantis team as well as local pastors who worked so tirelessly to make this venture a real community builder.
