To the masses of the people, death is a dreaded mystery filled with uncertainty and gloom. In the region and shadow of death, men sit unsolaced with a longing to have the darkness dispelled and the mystery of the future made plain. Since the fall of our grandparents and their expulsion from the garden of Eden, the tyranny of death has held its grip on humanity for ceaseless ages. Through accidents, disease, war, and self abuse, death exercises its reign of terror on humanity. However, the Saviour has given us an assurance that the life of bereavement, pain and suffering can be brightened by precious revealings of His presence. “Blessed are they which do mourn,” He says, “for they shall be comforted.” The Saviour would not have us remain pressed down by sorrow, with sore breaking hearts, but wants to lift the soul above the daily sorrow and perplexity into a realm of peace.
It is precisely for this reason that Adventist Men Organisation (AMO) was established. AMO is a self-supporting ministry established in Cape Town by a group of Adventist preachers which has managed to spread to the rest of the country. The bulk of AMOs work has been centred around servicing of the bereaved in what is fondly known in IsiXhosa Street lingo as “Tutwini”. Tutwini is a week-long outreach program that is usually held at a particular bereaved family’s house. At a Tutwini, people from various denominations and neighbourhoods usually gather to comfort the grieving family with music, prayers and sermons for an entire week leading up to the funeral. Recently, AMO was invited by a study group in Stellenbosch to help with the burial of one of the Bible students that had passed away. Subsequent to the Tutwini and funeral service run by AMO, many of the attendees gave their hearts to Christ and the study group has now been organised into a Company. The Company keeps growing and will hopefully be organised into a church soon.
AMO not only does funeral ministry but has helped to revive a number of churches in the Cape Flats and Boland region like Gugulethu, Philippi, Stellenbosch, etc. post COVID. During the lockdown period AMO kept believers spiritually nourished through its online “Pulpit Series” that was recorded in Cape Town and Port Elizabeth for the global audience. In addition, AMO does a food and clothing collection drive to help the less privileged. The greatest need of our families, communities and churches is Christ-like men who are true to their spiritual and social duty, men who are mentally, physically and morally fit for the Master’s purpose of preparing the world for a soon coming Saviour.
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