EVANGELICAL PRESBYTERIAN CHURCH IN SOUTH AFRICA
(Swiss Mission in SA)

HISTORY

The Evangelical Presbyterian Church in South Africa formerly known as the Tsonga Presbyterian Church is the results of the work of the Swiss Mission in South Africa which began in the Northern Transvaal in 1875. The gospel was first proclaimed to the Shangaan people by two Basotho Evangelists, seconded by the Parish Evangelical Missionary Society. A network mission stations was established in the northern and eastern parts of the Transvaal. As the rapid growth of the mining drew many people to the towns, congregations were established in the Pretoria Reef and later the Welkom areas (Orange Free State) and also in Zululand.

The church became autonomous in 1962, but still relied for financial support on the Swiss churches. Tsonga is the official language of the church.

FAITH AND WITNESS

The CHURCH confesses the one faith by the Church Universal. This faith being in Jesus Christ, the Son of God and Saviour of the World; the same Jesus in whom God revealed Himself. The CHUCH therefore, worships the ONE GOD, Father, Son and Holy Spirit. Under the guidance of the Holy Spirit, she strives to foster the advent of the Kingdom on earth and to prefigure God’s new creation.

She acknowledges her dependence on the Word of God, as contained in the Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments. This Word stands in judgement over the CHURCH and constitutes the only foundation of faith and life.

She confess the faith proclaimed by the Early Church as embodied in the declarations of the Ecumenical Synods and represented by the Apostles and Nicene Creeds, these being considered as constituting a witness and test of its faith, which the Lord Jesus Christ taught His disciples, is still confirmed by the Holy Spirit in the Church today.

ACTIVITIES AND PRIORITIES

Our activities among others include:

•    Evangelism    :Planting of new churches
•    Promoting of Spiritual growth of the church
•    Play a frontal role in health matters in the battle against HIV & AIDS, Malaria etc.
•    Empowerment of Ministers, Lay Preachers and Administrative Staff with Management Skills.
•    Health matters.
•    Addressing Poverty and Unemployment.

STRUCTURES

The Synod is the supreme body of the church followed by Presbyteries and Consistories on the grassroots level. The Executive Committee as well as the church Commissions or Committees acts on behalf of the Synod. These Commissions / Committees are as follows: Administration, Synodal Finance Committee, Education Committee, Church Extension Committee, Sasavona Board / Literature, Constitution Committee, Xilombe Committee, Blue Cross Committee, Ecumenism, Union Negotiations, Church Unity Commission, Project Committee, Health Committee, Sunday School, Church Conference Centre, Liturgical Committee, Women’s Guild and Men’s Guild Committee.