Learning to Lead through Tlotso Leadership Development
Serving as role models and servants of ministry
Our After Care leadership development programme and annual Tlotso Retreat help us to identify, instruct and inspire the next generation of after care leaders.
Two very special young men, Peter (17 years old) and Joseph (18 years old), have been in our programmes for multiple years, and they are shining examples of how the Word can shape lives and be shared with others.Gardening is a partnership with God, nurturing His creation and witnessing His handiwork bloom. It teaches us patience and faith, as we plant seeds and trust in God’s abundance.
Through gardening, we care for the earth as stewards of His gift, honouring Him through our work. It’s one of the reasons why we launched gardening training with the Guardians of our Abba’s Child programme.
The training takes place over six weeks and takes the Abba’s Child Guardians through the fundamentals of gardening, with practical training in planting seedlings.
Our gardening programme offers other benefits besides a connection to God’s creation – it is good for one’s health and it is food for the future!
Changing lives through leadership
Time and again, we see first-hand the value of our leadership development programmes in building confidence in young people, in empowering them to serve as role models in their communities, in cementing their faith and renewing their purpose.
Both Peter and Joseph felt that the programmes and retreats had changed their lives, and given them the opportunity to change the lives of others.
Tlotso affected me positively. When I look back at who I was before Tlotso, I was still in Christ but there was some things that I was missing. I learnt how to be consistent, especially in the future and in pursuing God’s will.”
Tlotso is not a holiday. It’s having fun, meeting new friends, but it’s more than that. They teach you how to become a better person. And they also teach you how to go out there and change the lives of the little ones.”
– Peter
Powering personal and spiritual growth
Living in Christ puts young people on a path to both personal and spiritual growth, and we have seen this development in our youth leaders. They have learnt both lessons in faith and life skills that will last throughout their lifetime, and inspire others to follow the path.
[I’ve gone] from someone who’s seeking examples to someone who’s serving examples to everyone who’s around me and everyone who’s looking at me.”
– Joseph
They teach you how to become a better somebody. They teach you how to build your character. Become more like Jesus. They shape you.”
– Peter
Acting as role models to all at After Care
Our After care centres give our young leaders a chance to lead, to share their faith with their communities, to put into practice the teachings of Christ, and to find the strength in themselves to overcome obstacles.
My favourite thing about being a leader at after care is to see kids devote their life to Christ. And to see children now turning from the way that they thought was right and it’s now turning into the correct way.”
– Joseph
Sometimes it’s not easy to become a leader. It’s difficult because some people are going to discourage you, say bad things about you, they’re going to try to lead you astray. But I feel like I’m doing good in after care, teaching the Bible, sticking to what God wants.”
– Peter
Teachings and learnings
One of the most rewarding parts of our programmes is to witness the way in which our young leaders apply the learnings they have gained. This year, Joseph made 15 slideshows that his team uses to teach the children at after care and to keep them engaged.
From the experience that we got from Tlotso, we’ve seen the proof of the teachings, so we thought maybe we should bring Tlotso into our sermons. So we’ve got something that they can look at, that can display our purpose. We use slides that contain games, images, videos or anything like that.”
– Joseph
Living in Christ
As our young leaders deepen their faith and model themselves on the teachings of Christ, they grow more resilient, they understand human frailty, and they learn the transformative role that Christ can play in their lives, and in the lives of others.
Jesus did not die for people who’re not going to do wrong things – he died for people who’re going to go wrong all the time, but repent.”
– Joseph
There is nothing that can overcome you when you have God, cos I have seen God so many times in my life. So what I’ve learned this year is no matter what, know that Jesus died for you. And He loves you. He chose you.”
– Peter
Joseph and Peter will continue to serve weekly at their after care centre and share the Word of God at their local church services.
Listen in to their stories here: As our young leaders deepen their faith and model themselves on the teachings of Christ, they grow more resilient, they understand human frailty, and they learn the transformative role that Christ can play in their lives, and in the lives of others.
