August is Women’s Month in South Africa, and the women in the Church of the Nazarene on the Africa South Field have always participated in the celebration. From 4-6 August 2023, at the South Africa Nazarene Theological College in Muldersdrift, just outside of Johannesburg, more than 1,600 women from South Africa, Botswana, Lesotho, Eswatini, and Mozambique gathered to experience fellowship, build relationships with other Nazarene women, uplift each other, and experience renewal and empowerment.

The theme “Revive Us Again” was explicitly chosen because the conference had been interrupted for three years due to the global pandemic. The organizers were asking the Lord to bring them back together and bring them back to Him. With the closing of churches and the cancellation of gatherings like this, they felt a need for the women to return to the Lord and to experience revival in their hearts.

As the weekend unfolded, the theme of "Revive us Again" was emphasized in their preaching, teaching, singing, dancing, and fellowship. There were bright smiles on the faces of the women that matched their colorful outfits from their respective districts.

The planning committee was encouraged by seeing so many women coming from all over Southern Africa for a time of renewal and fellowship. The women returned to their districts with the goal of igniting their districts with the same fire they received at the conference. They are being strengthened and encouraged to know they are part of a greater family and church.

The mission of the Women’s Extravaganza is to strengthen bonds among women for effective Kingdom building as well as strive to empower women to assume and uphold their Christian responsibilities to God and those around them. 

Moreover, the women desire to have Bible-based teaching on the issue of sin and encourage one another to respond positively to challenges such as disease, poverty, violence, abuse, divorce, grief, cultural practices, and mental health issues. Finally, the Women’s Extravaganza strives to transform women through a paradigm shift from the “dependency syndrome” into a vibrant DIY—do it yourself—attitude to be proud of their church.

--Church of the Nazarene Africa Region