A New Chapter Ahead: Simon Banda and Explore's Southern Region
Simon Banda was recently appointed as Explore’s Southern Regional Coordinator. An alumnus of GWC from its early days, we asked him to share a little bit about his background and ministry to date, as well as what excites him about his new role…
“I was born in Swakopmund, Namibia, and was a member of St. Timothy’s in Swakopmund (a church plant of St. James Kenilworth, Cape Town). My early conversion and spiritual development was heavily shaped by Youth for Christ (YFC) and Youth with a Mission (YWAM), and I attended GWC when it was still located in Kalk Bay. I moved with the College to its current campus in Muizenberg, where I completed my Honours studies before returning to Namibia.
Back in Namibia, I had the privilege of knowing and working with the late Bishop Peter Tanyengenge Kalangula at his homestead in Ondangwa. I then worked as a school teacher in the northern region, specifically in Rundu, for five years before going back to GWC to pursue a master’s in New Testament under Dr. Seccombe. After my return, I was given an opportunity by Crosslinks to undergo training with Proclamation Trust at Cornhill in London. I met my wife Lindi back in Cape Town and we were married in Muizenberg by none other than GWC faculty member John Child!
After spending three years in London, Lindi and I returned to work with BIEC in Gqeberha (formerly Port Elizabeth). Lindi then took on children’s work at Emmanuel Church under Glenn and Sandy Lyons for seven years. This was a joyful time and place for many of us. I taught my first Explore classes here to our apprentices, many of whom later came to GWC.
Following our time here, we relocated to Johannesburg, where I served at Christ Church Blairgowrie as an assistant minister for three years. I also participated in Explore there. After COVID-19, we moved to Auckland Park and continued our service at Hope Church for another three years until last year.
Growing Explore Within the Southern Region
I am very excited to be part of Explore’s mission to help train and equip our local pastors to have a better understanding of Scripture – especially those in our townships and rural areas who have not had the opportunity to go to a Bible College. The Southern Region includes South Africa, eSwatini, and Lesotho, and, while some momentum was lost during the pandemic, this is being rebuilt, together with opportunities for new growth. Most of our current facilitators are former GWC graduates and alumni who are now pastors within REACH-SA churches. We also now partner with other Bible schools and training institutions, which helps us connect and train these alumni as Explore facilitators.
Given that pastors are shepherds of their people, and that people trust their pastors, it makes sense to focus on training and equipping pastors. False teaching, especially the prosperity gospel, is definitely one of the biggest challenges the growing church in Africa faces, and very few church leaders have benefitted from solid theological training.
I have observed how Explore stimulates an immense desire for the Word of God and for the God of the Word! Explore has helped many of its students cultivate a greater assurance in their beliefs and their spiritual journey.
One of our key challenges we face is making Explore accessible to a broader audience of South Africans beyond urban areas. Low literacy rates, language barriers, and a lack of resources hinder these efforts.
Please pray for our Lord’s grace, wisdom and guidance as we grapple with how to take Explore to the people. Please pray for growth opportunities and for committed pastors and partners. Personally, Lindi and I appreciate your prayers for health, strength, safe travels and God’s favour in this work.