The Generosity Breakfast

On the 21st of June 2024, various organisations attended the World Evangelical Alliance’s (WEA) Global Generosity Network’s Generosity Breakfast on Operation Mobilsation’s (OM) ship, the Logos Hope, as it stopped in port at the V&A Waterfront in Cape Town.

The Global Generosity Network is an initiative that facilitates stewardship, generosity, giving and fund mobilisation among Christians.

TEASA is one of 6 collaborating partners that put on the event. Ninety Christian leaders were inspired and challenged to confront the pertinent question: how can we foster a culture of generosity within the South African church?

The Breakfast provided not only a great meal, aboard the magnificent Logos ship, in one of South Africa’s finest cities, it also provided the opportunity for interactions and mutual sharing between participants and the organisations. Participants shared inspiring stories of their ministries and what they are able to do, even though they may be poor, monetarily, as they give out of the little they have.

Along with TEASA, OM and the Generosity Network intend to build on the success of the Generosity Breakfast. They will continue to work with the local leaders in South Africa and continue to fan the flames of generosity.

After attending the breakfast, Pastor Joy Chetty, who is TEASA Western Cape Chapter convenor illustrated her observations by quoting from Saint Paul in his letter to the Corinthians, where he says, “And now, brothers and sisters, we want you to know about the grace that God has given the Macedonian churches. In the midst of a very severe trial, their overflowing joy and their extreme poverty welled up in rich generosity. For I testify that they gave as much as they were able, and even beyond their ability. Entirely on their own, they urgently pleaded with us for the privilege of sharing in this service to the Lord’s people.” (2 Corinthians 8:1-4). She explained that by adopting the culture of generosity displayed by our early Christian ancestors, we can cause our generosity to become contagious.

“But of course,” concludes OM director Pastor Peter Tarental in summing up the core message emanating from the Generosity Breakfast, “while we spoke about generosity, we also spoke about being generous in sharing our lives and the Gospel with people, especially those who have never heard the Good News of Jesus Christ.”