A journey from routine religion to spiritual leadership illustrates God’s providence in our lives, and our feature this week is a personification of God’s grace.
Samkeliso Sacolo is a young man whose life is proof of the transformative power of faith.
Born and raised at Ensingweni, where he completed his primary and secondary education, Sacolo’s life took a lifechanging turn in 2014 when he moved to Ngwane Park to pursue tertiary studies.
Today, he stands as a proud graduate with two academic qualifications, but he remains quick to deflect any personal glory, describing himself simply as ‘a product of grace’.
“During my tertiary education, I witnessed the hand of God move in remarkable ways,” Sacolo reflects. “I faced serious financial hurdles, yet by God’s grace, I was able to graduate without a single cent of debt in tuition fees.”
While Sacolo had been a regular churchgoer from a young age and considered himself a ‘good person’, he eventually reached a sobering realisation: His faith was more about habit than heart.
“I realised that church had become a mere routine. As one pastor aptly put it, I was a ‘churchgoer, not a born-again believer.’ I was religious, but I lacked a personal relationship with God.”
The turning point arrived in February 2014. While walking through Manzini, he passed the Zakhele Free Evangelical Assemblies (FEA) on a Tuesday.
The sound of a pastor singing ‘Izwi Lahlabi Inhliziyo Yami’, striked a chord deep within him. Drawn by the melody, Sacolo invited himself inside.
That day, the sermon was based on 1 Timothy 2:5: “For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus.”
In that moment, the transition from religion to relationship was complete; Sacolo was saved.
His hunger for the divine only intensified.
Balancing his part-time studies with a rigorous schedule of weekly services and Bible classes, he felt a profound longing for the baptism of the Holy Spirit.
This spiritual thirst was quenched in September 2014 during a youth service, where Pastor Dumsile Dlamini prayed for him.
Sacolo describes it as a definitive encounter with the Helper promised in John 14:26.
Despite over six years of dedicated service within the church, Sacolo admits he spent much of that time ‘running away’ from a deeper calling to preach the Gospel.
However, this year, with the guidance and encouragement of his spiritual father, Rev LS Msibi, he finally accepted his vocation.
He is now preparing to enrol in Bible school to formalise his ministry.
Offering a final word of encouragement to his peers, Sacolo says: “I urge every young person to depend on the Holy Spirit; He is our teacher and guide. We must strive to live holy lives that please God, ensuring that integrity never departs from us. To those yet to be saved, remember the promise in John 6:37: ‘Whoever comes to me, I will never drive away.’ God loves you, and He is ready to forgive.”
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