There used to be only one church under the name African Baptist Full Gospel Apostolic Church but it officially split into the current two churches in 1975 when the late Robert Modikwa led the FGAC while his ABFGAC counterpart Shalobane Motlhabane led the other clan. Archbishop Motlhabane still heads the church and was inaugurated in 2005 by Palapye Member of Parliament (MP) Boyce Sebetela. Modikwa died in 1998 after a long illness, giving way to Reuben Kedikilwe to lead the flock.
The two churches are just two kilometres apart. But the good news is that the relationship between them is growing from strength to strength with pastors from the two churches taking turns in delivering the sermons to the faithful.
FGAC currently has a membership of more than 8, 000 throughout the country as well as in neighbouring countries. The churches have over the years devised some ways of generating funds to give back to the community in a bid to recognise the aspirations of Vision 2016. Each member contributes P2 and the money donated to the Masiela Trust Fund (MTF). This year, the church has donated P3,000 which fund official, Lesley Matlhaku, received at a recent ceremony.
The money was collected by Botswana National Sports Council (BNSC) chairperson Dorcus Makgato-Malesu who was the guest speaker and officiated at the handover ceremony.
The church has put up a multi-million Pula structure that is nearing completion. Each member contributes a certain amount towards the construction project. Other than the contributions, the church embarked on fund-raising initiatives to generate more money. For instance, every Easter holidays, gospel music competitions are held and the proceeds directed towards the construction of the church.
This year, the choir competitions have raised P7, 000. Botswana music guru, Gomolemo Motswaledi, has been engaged as the adjudicator for the choir competitions since last year. For the past two years, the church introduced a best couple beauty contest for the elderly members of the church that normally raises over P2,000.
The best couples' event has in fact proved to be more effective in generating funds and the church intends to hold the event every Easter.
All in all, the church has managed to raise about P136, 000 towards the construction of the church and out of the total, area MP Thebe Mogami has contributed P1,000 and Makgato-Malesu P2, 500.
The church invites dignitaries every year to visit them. Senior government officials, including police commissioner Edwin Batshu, Tonota MP Pono Moatlhodi and local government minister Margaret Nasha have previously visited the church.
Last year's gospel choir competitions were honoured with the visit by the Minister of Foreign Affairs and International Cooperation, Mompati Merafhe, who said that with a total of 123 church branches within a period of 57 years, FGAC has witnessed positive changes as far as physical developments of the denomination are concerned.
Merafhe stated that the last years saw a shift in the direction of such changes as evidenced by the donations to Masiela Trust Fund in addition to fund-raising initiatives through music to build a magnificent church.
"The church's spirit of self-reliance and botho can be viewed as part of a broader thinking that emphasises the role of the church in the society. Our government has long appreciated the critical role played by the churches in nation-building," Merafhe said then.
Easter holidays in Ratholo bring positive outcomes in terms of economic empowerment. The sales from the local shops and outlets always improve as a result of the influx of town dwellers into the small village. Not only does the village attract Christians, it also hosts Sunday football games for Francistown and Gaborone teams.
