Thousands of excited fans flocked to the Cathedral of Faith in Soweto on Friday, 27th August, for the live recording of the Universal Gospel Choir’s third album entitled, Ngena Ikaya ‘lam. After weeks of preparation, the night everyone had been waiting for finally arrived.

Bishop Marcelo Pires, responsible for evangelistic work in South Africa, opened the show with a prayer and asked God to bless the evening, the choir, the audience and all those who could not attend. The show featured the Universal Gospel Choir performing 12 songs, as well as special performances by the Women in Action musical group and the children’s choir. All these enabled the crowd to experience the true diversity within the UCKG’s musical groups. The Night Vigil was officially due to begin at 10,30 pm, but people started filling up the cathedral from 4 pm in the afternoon.

Universal News spoke to some early arrivals and asked why they had come to the show.

“The first time I saw the choir perform was at the Women in Action’s “Save a Tamar Campaign”. I knew then that I could not miss out on tonight’s performance,” said Cornelia from Soweto. John Selehelo from Park Station said, “When I heard about the Night Vigil and the live recording of the choir’s album, I was very happy. I am here tonight for God to revive my spirit. I expect the Choir to inspire us with their songs.”

Many came dressed in traditional clothes, adding colour and authentic cultural diversity to the scene in the cathedral. A member of the choir, Lesiba Mokwatlo, emphasised the fact that the songs were intended to reflect how versatile and diverse the choir and its audience were. “We wanted to include as many different sounds as we could into this album. The lyrics are simple, but to the point. Many of these songs were written by choir members and we wanted to share our experiences with our listeners in the hopes that they too will find hope and encouragement.”

Asked if he felt that the choir had changed over the years, he said, “We have learnt and grown a lot over the past few years. Our last album was recorded almost two years ago and I believe that this album shows how much we’ve developed our vocal and instrumental skills.”

Outside the cathedral, hundreds watched the show projected on a large screen from tents or from their cars. The evening ended in the same way as it started — with a prayer. Bishop Marcelo prayed for God to revive people’s spirits and asked the Holy Spirit to renew their strength and help them overcome all challenges.

Pastor Bethuel, who coordinates the choir, urged people to buy the choir’s new DVD when it is released.

“The aim of this DVD is to help people understand that music is one of the ways to bring God close to you. The songs on this album are meant to offer encouragement and help bring a solution to your problems. The songs on this album serve this purpose — to inspire, encourage and revive,” he said.

Universal News will keep readers informed on the release of the choir’s new album.

By: Nomsa Masengemu and Prema October

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The church’s doors were then closed and since then, meetings have been held outside.
On Friday, 20th August at about 5 PM, the manager of the Motherwell Shopping Centre evicted church members and pastors without any prior notice or warning. Pr Elijah, responsible for the evangelical work in the province reported: ”We were about to start the service when the manager, accompanied by a few security guards, told us to take what we needed because they had to close the church immediately. When asked about the reasons, the manager simply stated that there were discrepancies surrounding the Church’s lease agreement and left it at that. We’re baffled because we’ve paid our monthly rent and saw no reason to be evicted.”

On Sunday, two days after the incident, approximately 500 members arrived for the 10 am service and found the pastors and assistants ready to pray outside the shut doors to the church premises. They sang and danced.

During the service the pastor encouraged the members to remain strong and not to give up. He explained that the church was doing everything in its power to resolve the issue and was certain that the problem would be sorted out.

Assistant Nomonde said that when she arrived at the church on Friday she saw members standing outside, waiting for the service. “We were not discouraged by what happened. We stood outside and waited for the service to begin because we knew that God would help us solve this problem,” she said.

Another assistant, Jessie, told Universal News, “When persecution comes, people of God must persevere and trust in God. When one door closes, many doors are open. Never fear.”

This is also the sentiment held by the Universal Church: persecution brings: spiritual maturity. As the members of the UCKG in PE remain strong in this time of persecution and difficulty, all bishops, pastors and assistants ndeavour to keep faith insuch situations.

By: Maggie Nyaunda

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This event started in Kagiso on Tuesday, 10th August and moved to Eldorado Park on Friday and Dobsonville on Saturday. The aim of this event is to bring people together in faith and in the belief that God will deliver what they ask of Him. UCKG members and friends came in large numbers , including many who had tried all other means to solve their problems.

“Have faith in God,” Jesus answered. Mark 11:22

“Jesus Christ has given us the key to unlock all answers. When you ask for something from God, in your heart you must not doubt or question yourself,” said Bishop Marcelo Pires who conducts the All Answers Event around the country.

God’s children need to exercise their faith and believe that God has the answer to all their prayers

A special prayer to deliver people from the evil that hinders them from receiving answers and blessings in their lives was offered. Bishop Marcelo then prayed, assuring the congregation that the Lord would answer their needs and He was the solution to their problems.

He prayed for all to gain the strength to overcome doubts and fears and see the power of God in their lives.

“I had a fulfilling experience in this event, I came here expecting blessings. Truly that is what I received and I believe that the answer will become evident in my life as Bishop prayed for us and for the answers. I would advise those who are suffering, who need answers, to attend the All Answers Event and trust in God because He works in amazing ways,” said Mrs Audrey Machele from Dobsonville Region

By: Nomsa Masengemu

All Answers - Benoni

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All Answers - Daveyton

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All Answers - Dobsonville

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All Answers - Eldorado Park

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All Answers - Finetown

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All Answers - Kagiso

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All Answers - KwaThema

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with them each time they left their compounds, homes or designated areas. Failure to produce a “pass” often resulted in the person being arrested. This big march by nearly 20,000 women to the Union Buildings took place on 9th August, 1956. They sang a song called “Wathint’ abafazi wathint’ imbokodo uza kufa!, meaning “When you strike the women, you strike a rock, you will be crushed or you will die!”

Women in Action (WiA) celebrated women’s struggle in South Africa and welcomed all present to the “Save a Tamar” launch at the Cathedral of Faith in Soweto.

Addressing the packed church, Mrs Marcia Pires, founder of WiA, said abuse took away dignity and many women in society could not strike back at those who abused them.

“As Christians we uphold the Bible’s principles, we believe that man should lead the house and Psalm 128:3,4 speaks about the man who fears the Lord.” She pointed out that if children grow up in this kind of family environment it was unlikely they would suffer abuse or become abusive, since ‘Children see, children do – whatever we do in front of them they will try to do it as well’.

“Sometimes women are told that it is their fault that they were abused. They hear accusations from friends or family members, such as: Why were you walking alone? Look at the clothes you’re wearing! But what blame can be put on a child whom someone takes advantage of, in her or his very own home? We have to deal with the consequences of abuse and give emotional and spiritual support. Maybe you have been through abuse and feel despised, rejected by the community and even by God, but today we the WiA want you to know that you are a woman of value, of courage and know that today is the birth of a new year in your life,” Mrs Pires said.

Men came in large numbers to support women and the campaign against abuse. Directing some of her comments at them, Mrs Pires said: “Man, you are a man of character, a man of honour because we believe you have the responsibility and the power to change South Africa. You can act in the community, with your colleagues, on your way from work to join the cause of fighting against women and child abuse.”

A survivor of domestic abuse, Mrs Elizabeth Mabunda described how she lost an unborn baby after her husband beat her. Today however she has a happy and united family and can celebrate 26 years of marriage with abuse a thing of the past. Her husband, William urged everyone to change the way they looked at women.

“Let us fight this abuse against women and children and change the way we look at them with respect, as the bible says they were created from our ribs. Let us love and be a good example to them,” said William.

Mrs Dalene Bishop, from the Teddy Bear Clinic, a non-profit organisation protecting and assisting abused children, said they educated children about sexual abuse, giving therapy, counselling, assistance, love, comfort, safety and ongoing support.

The WiA choir presented their special “Save a Tamar” song which will be sung throughout the four-month-long campaign. They also made key ring dolls which were sold with all profits being donated to the Teddy Bear Clinic.

By: Nomsa Masengemu

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The bible verse above sheds light on the ever present question that plagues the human soul: Does God hear my prayer? The answer is clear: YES! Not only does God hear our prayers, He also answers them. That is why the Universal Church will host a meeting of faith called the All Answers Event, taking place in and around South Africa. Thousands of people will have an opportunity to lay their prayer requests before God and receive His answer.

Bishop Marcelo Pires, host of the nationally broadcasted television programme Workers’ Prayer, will lead the meeting. He invites all those who have been looking for an answer in all the wrong places to join the UCKG family at the All Answers Event to find what they were looking for.

The meeting will take place at the following venues: Kagiso, La Rochelle etc (please check out this calendar for dates and times). The first meeting will be held in Kagiso on 10th August. If you believe that God can change your life and that He is willing then don’t miss this event. Your life might depend on it!

Special perforomance by the Universal Gospel Choi
Don’t miss the ALL ANSWERS EVENT!!!

See the full schedule here.
Download All Answers Event Flyer

TEMPLE HISTORY

The Bible explains that King David, during his reign, decided to build a temple for God, because he would not accept the fact that the Ark of God was kept in a tent while he lived in a palace surrounded by wealth and comfort.

However, the Lord, through Nathan the prophet, warned the king that the construction should not be carried out by him, but by his successor, King Solomon. David, before leaving the throne to his son, gathered the reserves of the kingdom – 100,000 talents of gold and 1 million talents of silver. Added to that the king took 3,000 talents of gold and 7,000 talents of silver from his personal treasure and offered it for the construction of the house of the Lord. A talent of gold is equivalent to 36 kg of gold and a talent of silver is equivalent to 36 kg of silver. Therefore, King David gave a total of 360,000 kg of gold and silver, which today would translate into more than R10- million.

After seven years of work, the temple was erected by King Solomon, and used for many years as a place of worship and delivery of sacrifices to the Lord. Even so, glorious and imposing, in the year 587 before Christ, the Babylonians took Jerusalem and reduced the great temple to ashes. Decades later a second building was erected in the same place as the first temple, and that too was destroyed. Today, the only part of the original construction which remains is the Wailing Wall, considered by thousands of Christians and Jews throughout the world as sacred.

UCKG PROJECT
The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God is building a replica of the Temple of Solomon in the city of Sao Paulo in Brazil. It will be made of stones cut exactly like those of the original temple.

THE STRUCTURE

It will be a sizeable church, a building of 18 floors, almost twice the height of the statue of Christ the Redeemer in Rio de Janeiro which stands at 38 metres. The work will be a major milestone in the history of the Universal Church of the Kingdom of God.

The complex will have 36 biblical schools with the capacity to accommodate approximately 1,300 children, TV and radio studios, an auditorium/arena/ assembly room for 500 people, and a parking lot for more than 1,000 cars. It has been designed to cause the least possible impact on the environment. The temple will be built with recycled materials which will allow for the reuse of water and heat to save energy. An external area of 250 square metres will be used for exhibitions and events. This will not only reflect the history of the Church, but also show a little of the engineering of the structure.

Inside, the Church will have an ark representing the Ark of the Alliance on the altar to provide a three dimensional display. When open, the ark’s interior will be visible and will reflect the baptismal pool, creating the impression that, during a baptism, a person is baptised within the ark. At the front of the altar will be 12 stones representing the 12 tribes of Israel, and on the altar will be two columns called Joaquim and Boaz, both names mentioned in the Bible.

The Church will be in Bras, Sao Paulo, and will be able to seat more than 10 000 people.

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Tamar, as the Bible records in 2 Samuel 13:1-21, was one of David’s daughters who was abused by her own brother, Amnon. There are many Tamars all around us being physically, sexually and emotionally abused. Families are devastated as a result of it, lives are shattered by abuse and dreams are destroyed by regret and pain.

We will celebrate Women’s Day holding up the banner of peace. We will focus on awareness and bring comfort to those who have been victims of this experience. We count on you to support this campaign. This is our Tamar, the symbol for our campaign. Watch this space to learn more about it. From now on, make your decision and help us to “Save a Tamar”.

Marcia Pires
www.womeninaction.co.za

Seeing how much The Universal Church has grown throughout these past 33 years, how do you feel when you look back and realize that it all started in a kiosk?
It’s a feeling that the Spirit of God is real and fulfills His promises.

When you first had the idea to establish The Universal Church, did your initial concept coincide with what it has become today? What did you imagine?
No. If the Spirit of God had revealed to me the church we see today, then certainly I would have laughed just as Sara when she heard that she would become a mother while old and barren.

Throughout these 33 years have there been projects that the Church wasn’t able to accomplish? Why?
I believe so. Many have come along but didn’t progress. Only some were chosen, just as Gideon’s 300.

How is it to manage a work that is in almost every country around the world?
The physical administration of the church depends on its spiritual side. The Holy Spirit has chosen people and has managed this work through them.

Were (are) the difficulties and persecutions that the church endures outside the country the same as those faced here in Brazil?
Each and every persecution suffered has a spiritual character. The evil spirits that work in Brazil are the same ones that work everywhere else.

When the Work began outside of Brazil, did you make some preparations for this?
The Spirit of God is the One who prepares His chosen ones to serve His Son anywhere in the world.

A 33 year-old person can generally be considered mature. How do you think the church has matured throughout these years? What have been the church’s most significant changes?
Maturity depends on the dry spells – the deserts that we go through. The more deserts we endure, the greater our level of maturity. The Universal Church has grown spiritually through its many struggles. The changes have been many, especially in how it has been teaching the way to have supernatural and intelligent faith.

In Brazil there is still much prejudice and resistance towards the work of The Universal Church and towards your name. Even so, recently, a reporter who was interviewing a South African was surprised when asked if he was from the same country as you. How is it, having to deal with prejudice from some, while at the same time receiving recognition from others?
Prejudice is natural. Jesus, His apostles and followers faced it. We can’t expect to receive flowers from a world dominated by a Babylonian spirit. That’s part of the Christian faith. Only those born of the Holy Spirit survive and prevail. It’s not easy to face prejudice from those we want to help. But when the Light of the Gospel is revealed to them, that’s when we are rewarded with their gratitude.

The Church has many social projects ranging from its work with kids and youth, to adult literacy, and even to the concern with Brazil’s northeastern jungle region. Millions of people have been and continue to benefit from these outreaches. Does The Universal Church have any other social projects in mind?

The work of the church has always been socially aimed, one hundred percent. This is due to the living message of the Gospel. Jesus didn’t bring a new religion. He brought life. When a human being is possessed by the Holy Spirit, his attitudes towards God, his neighbor and to himself change completely. That’s why many people who were once excluded, now have their lives restored and reintegrated into society. When the blind is able to see, he stops depending on others, and becomes productive and lead his own life. When a thief is delivered, he becomes one less threat to society. Unfortunately, society and the government aren’t able to see the social benefits of the Church. What good is it, for example, to give someone a plate of food? Will it stop the hunger? The church, through the power of faith in the Bible, has delivered those enslaved to any addiction. It promotes social reintegration much more than any other social institution. And what’s best, it does this without receiving any kind of help from the government.

Many people say that the construction of cathedrals is unnecessary. Why does the Universal Church invest in grand buildings?

Not only to return to the people the benefits of their tithes and offerings, but above all, to give them a vision of the will of God for their lives. Jesus came to bring life and life in abundance. The cathedrals prove that.

Your blog has millions of hits. Many more people feel free to comment and ask for spiritual advice. How do you see this interaction with the public?

Official statistics have registered almost 3 million monthly hits. This proves that it’s a great benefit for internet users and also that our work hasn’t been in vain.

We see that the church values discipline among its members, assistants, pastors, and bishops. How does this discipline interfere in the growth of the Church?

The Kingdom of God is formed through order and discipline. Anyone who doesn’t submit doesn’t have an interest in living according to God. We aren’t a club in search of members. We are preachers of the Good News. Whoever believes and obeys is blessed. Whoever doesn’t believe, we show patience. But we will never push aside order and discipline in the church. Even if that means financial loss.

With the growth of the church the need for volunteers to do the Work has also increased. What concern do you have in choosing these people?

That they be born of water and of the Holy Spirit.

What are The Universal Church’s next goals?

We await God’s inspiration and guidance.

What’s your message for the millions of faithful members of The Universal Church of the Kingdom of God around the world?

The same as my Lord’s: “Be faithful, even to the point of death, and I will give you the crown of life.” Revelations 2:10

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“He was laughing very loud while he was destroying all the seats, heading towards the Altar. But he did not even get close to touching the Altar, it stayed intact throughout this whole incident.”

The Bulldozer came crashing through the main doors at the church’s foyer, completely destroying the entrance of the church. A pastor at the scene said: “The Bulldozer moved in a frantic manner. We ran in the direction of the man and tried to stop him, but our attempts were futile. We then called the emergency services and requested police support. Cristiano Viegas, a staff member of the Church’s radio division who was on duty, also requested further help. Our efforts to stop the raged man did not deter him at all. He increased the speed of the machine and drove towards us, aiming to drive up the steps leading to the hall where the services are held.”

The man succeeded in driving up the small steps and crashed through the automatic doors, destroying the security cameras, the wall and part of the roof on his way.

“He was laughing very loud while he was destroying all the seats, heading towards the Altar. But he did not even get close to touching the Altar, it stayed intact throughout this whole incident. He continued in circular movements with the Bulldozer, destroying everything in his path. Practically all the chairs, most of the floor and the parlour were destroyed. Bishop Robson Gomes, who is responsible for the evangelistic work in the South of Portugal, and Pastor Warth Oliveira and their wives, were all praying for God’s help and protection during the man’s rampage.”

The police arrived at the scene, but still the man was not intimidated. He threatened them with the machine and was only subdued when he received the warnings of imprisonment.

“In spite of this man’s effort, the altar and all the sacred elements on it, like the cup with the Holy Oil did not break or not even spill a drop of oil during the attack. The sanctuary of God was preserved, for the honour and the glory of our God.”

“The glory of this present house will be greater than the glory of the former house,’ says the LORD Almighty. ‘And in this place I will grant peace,’ declares the LORD Almighty”. Haggai 2:9

Bishop Marcelo told the members that one doesn’t have to be employed to have an income.

He said, “You have the ability to start your own business and put your skills to good use, as long as you feed yourself with knowledge.” He also emphasised the need for people to start believing in themselves and not allow anything to put them down. “Having no confidence in yourself is like a tree that doesn’t produce any fruit,” he added.

Equip yourself with knowledge. Dedicate time to something that is educational. When you have that under your belt, you can do anything. Education is the key to success,” he concluded. Members were encouraged to ask God to give them a vision on how to achieve financial success. Today’s service was very different from the normal financial blessings meeting (318) that I attend every Monday. For a second, I thought I was in a business conference. This proves that Church is not only a place to worship, but it is a place where one’s awareness is increased in all possible ways,” said Anna, one of the members of the Cathedral of Faith. Take my discipline and not silver, and knowledge rather than choice gold.” Proverbs 8:10

By: Nikiwe Titus