We are grateful to Samaritan Strategy Africa for their permission to reprint the following report.
Hein van Wyk facilitated Biblical Worldview and Transformational Development training at the Vastfontein School for Church Planting April 11-13, 2012. Participants came from various places in South Africa, including Parys, Hammanskraal, and Kwamhlanga.
Vastfontein is located 40km north of Pretoria and is surrounded by Hammanskraal and Soshanguve.
Vastfontein Community Transformation started in 1998 with a vision of releasing the potential in people to reach a bigger dream and a bigger future. The initiative has grown from a modest Christian school into a well-grown initiative that includes child care centres, the Batho Pele Christian School, a clinic, the School of Church Planting and diverse cross-cultural events focusing on transformation, education and AIDS awareness (www.vastfonteintransformation.co.za).
Africa has been mightily blessed. Her natural resources make her the wealthiest continent on earth. She possesses a rich heritage as the womb of the Judeo-Christian faith and her people, made in the image of God, hold enormous potential as developers of the Continent.
Despite the potential and blessings, rich natural endowments and unimaginable abundance, Africa is ravaged by poverty, disease, 
corruption, and conflict. This is the heartbreaking paradox that haunts the psyche of many Africans. For years international aid and development agencies have tried to deal with these problems—with limited success. A predominantly animistic worldview holds sway over the minds of many Africans—a worldview that sees man as a victim of nature, of other people, or of fate. This mindset shifts responsibility for Africa’s social ills to the spirit realm, leaving individuals little hope or motivation for working towards a better future.
During the training the concept of worldview was discussed at length. The training included an overview of God’s transforming story and the critical importance of a biblical understanding of man, history, and creation for the development of communities and nations. In addition to seeing how worldview works, the training explores how the Church has abandoned the biblical worldview and the consequences of that for our understanding of the nature of the Church and the Great Commission.
Through Biblical worldview spectacles, the training looked at the fundamental building blocks of culture. Satan lies not only to individuals, but also to nations. He replaces Kingdom building blocks of culture with his counterfeit building blocks, resulting in the impoverishment and enslavement of nations. During the conference participants had the opportunity to start dealing with lies believed in their own culture.
The Role of the Church in Society was discussed at great length; a role that includes the penetration of cultures through Biblical Truth, saturating communities by demonstrating God’s love in practical, sustainable ways and lastly to occupy all the domains of society through service.
Until next time; Soli Deo Gloria!
One Response
Yes!