A New Era for Arc Worship Centre as They Celebrate Milestone in Ga-Moloi
By Thulane Madalane
Ga-Moloi – The Arc Worship Centre, a vibrant Pentecostal ministry, recently celebrated a significant milestone with the completion of its new state-of-the-art church building. Founded in the spirit of community and faith, the church has come a long way since its inception, demonstrating resilience and commitment from its members.
Arc Worship Centre is one of many subsidiary ministries of the historical Baptist Church, which traces its roots back to 1609 in Amsterdam, established by John Smyth. A core belief of the original Baptist congregation centered on the importance of believer’s baptism and voluntary church membership. In South Africa, the first Baptist church was established in 1820, thanks to the British settlers who arrived in Salem/Kariega, near Grahamstown.
At the helm of Arc Worship Centre is Pastor Bernard Maluleke, a 54-year-old leader raised in the Baptist faith. His journey began in Diphagane, where he was influenced by his devout mother. Over the years, Pastor Maluleke honed his talents and served as a worship leader for various ministries, including the Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM) and the Pentecostal Church Fellowship (PCF). After settling in Ga-Moloi where he created a family, he decided to establish the Arc Worship Centre on September 20, 2013, under the guidance of his uncle, Pastor Maupa, who leads the Diocese of Sekhukhune.
The church started from humble beginnings, facing challenges that tested its resolve. Yet, through the unwavering support of neighboring communities, membership began to grow. Today, the Arc Worship Centre stands proud with a newly constructed thousand-seater church, a testament to the dedication and hard work of its congregation.
To commemorate this accomplishment, Pastor Maluleke and his management team held a Special Sunday Service to express gratitude to God and the congregation’s commitment to their mission. Clearly moved, Pastor Maluleke shared his joy with the congregation, stating, “First and foremost, let me thank God for placing His purpose and vision in me. Equally significant, I want to thank my family and the congregation for their continued support amid challenges. We have seen the mighty hand of God in this church. I am glad to say from where we started, we now have a full-fledged ministry that has functioning kids, youth, women, and men’s ministries.”
The service featured a powerful sermon delivered by Pastor Maupa, emphasizing the importance of the church’s role in believers’ lives. Drawing from Matthew 16:18 and Acts 20:28, he reminded attendees of Jesus Christ’s promise to build His church and the responsibilities of church leaders. “I want to make a clarion call to everyone in this church to humble yourselves and respect the servant appointed by God to shepherd His flock,” he urged. He also highlighted the need for orderliness within the church, encouraging members to communicate openly with church leadership.
Kgoshi Madihlaba, the chief of the area, attended the service and praised Pastor Maluleke’s dedication. “As the Chief of this area, you know very well that I belong to all churches found in my villages. However, I want to thank Pastor Maluleke for recognizing me because we do have a good relationship,” he stated, expressing his admiration for the growth of the church. “Last time when I was here, this church was too small. I am impressed by the efforts of your leader, and next time I come here, I expect to see a double-storey building, unless you become complacent—which I doubt,” he added jovially.
The congregation looks ahead to celebrate their 12th anniversary with a grand opening of their new church, which promises to serve as a beacon of hope and life for the surrounding communities. The Arc Worship Centre’s journey exemplifies the spirit of faith and resilience, marking a new chapter in its ongoing mission to spread the message of Jesus Christ.
