Reverend
Brief info
Reverend Akhona Gxamza.
Akhona Gxamza was born in Peddie in the Eastern Cape. He was orphaned at a tender age and was raised by members of his family who moved him from one household to the other depending on prevailing circumstances. Akhona is married to Lonke, and they have two children.
Akhona did his theological training at the University of Fort Hare and graduated with Bachelor of Theology (Hons) and two years later he moved to Seth Mokitimi Methodist Seminary for his ministerial formation. He is currently working on a Masters in Theology with the University of KwaZulu Natal, focusing on the History of Christianity.
Akhona’s approach to ministry is shaped largely by his background and personal relationship with Jesus Christ. Had it not been for the grace God and the warmth of the love he experienced through the visible church, he would never have made it beyond the confines of his village. He has a personal experience of what the church is capable of, and has come to know the church as a centre of Healing and transformation. He agrees with Paul when he states that the church “is in this world, for the world but is not of this world.
Akhona’s journey in ministry has seen him minister in different circuits and placed in a diverse range of stations. He started off in 2013 serving in the Queenstown Circuit (0301) where he was a pastor of the Afrikaans speaking community and Komani Psychiatric Hospital.
In 2014 – 2015 Akhona was posted at the Mdantsane North Circuit (0339). Mdantsane North Circuit is in the township of Mdantsane, the second biggest township in South Africa. It is also a circuit that has a rich Wesleyan heritage as it is the oldest “African” circuit in that region. It is also about 30 kilometers from Mount Coke Mission Station, were William Shaw pitched his tent in 1821 as he began the work of expanding the gospel in that region.
Akhona was ordained in 2015 at the Conference that was held in Port Elizabeth and was sent to minister to Central City Mission yaseThekwini Circuit (0704). It is here at central city mission that I experienced the blossoming of the ministry in which I am called into.