Friday, 29 March 2024

Bid and booze at ‘church’

Members of this church have given new meaning to the Lord saying: “Come as you are.”

The Gabola Church of International Ministries in Orange Farm south of Joburg is like no other.

The church is based in a tavern and, like any tavern, there is no shortage of alcohol.

In fact, the flock is urged to take a dop during sermons and members are even baptised in the brand of alcohol of their choice. Gabola is the Tswana word for drinking.

The church, which now accommodates 500 congregants, is led by its founder, Bishop Tsietsi Makiti, 52.

Makiti told the Daily Sun, as he was downing a cold one, things changed when Jesus came.

According to the bishop, people didn’t know what to do for fun, but when Jesus changed water into wine he prayed for it to stimulate their bodies.

“So this church also prays for their drinks before they are served. With God in our taverns we would see crime being reduced and love and respectpromoted,” Makiti told the newspaper.

“People who drink beer are happy and peaceful,” he said, adding that he has plans to expand to other taverns.

Freddy Mathebula, the owner of Freddy’s Tavern where the church is located, told the Daily Sun since the church started, crime levels in the area have dropped.

He said they welcomed any and all to their church with open arms.

“Since the church started, crime has been reduced and we have received a great response from the community,” Mathebula said.

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