New release – Journey to the Truth, Were The Press Attacks on the KwaSizabantu Mission Unethical?
Johannesburg, 20 July 2023
“Want to stop a cult? Then don’t buy aQuellé bottled water”, was one of the blaring headlines released on 19 September 2020. Other sensationalised newspaper headlines included: “Mission of Fear”, “I escaped from the Mission of Hell!”, and numerous others In this book, author and experienced communicator, Gerda Potgieter explores whether the headlines were justified or unethical.
News headlines can make or break a business or ruin a reputation. And with social media, this can happen worldwide in seconds. Headlines are there to grab our attention and we trust what we read. But should we?
Throughout this book, Gerda Potgieter looks deeper into what was behind the media campaign. When an independent panel exonerated the mission from all of the accusations in November of the same year, she decided to go on a journey to find the truth. News24 was at the forefront of the media attacks and therefore she focused her investigations on the coverage of this news outlet.
Looking at journalism, unpacking red flags in news reporting and highlighting the exploitation of journalistic practices that should be avoided in ethical news reporting.
Includes the CRL Commission findings from their report released on Thursday, 13 July.
Will the mission ever clear its name and restore the damage done to its image? How do you prove something that did not happen? How do you get the truth through to the wide audience that believes all they read in newspapers?
Available now on Amazon:
Ebook link- https://www.amazon.com/dp/B0CC2V989F
Paperback link- https://www.amazon.com/dp/0639797032
CONTACT INFORMATION:
Gerda Potgieter
Cell: 082 896 0955
Email: devoted603@gmail.com
INTERVIEW WITH THE AUTHORESS - click on the picture.
BONDSERVANT OF CHRIST
At the age of 16, Erlo Hartwig Stegen felt a calling to preach to the Zulus and tell them about salvation through Jesus Christ.
But after 12 years on the mission field, with scarcely anything to show for it, he was ready to give it all up. Then God stepped in and fulfilled the promise he made in John 7:37, "Whoever believes in Me, as the Scripture has said, out of his innermost being will flow rivers of living water." In December 1966 God came down in revival power on Erlo and a small group of Christians at Maphumulo, South Africa. The events of Erlo Stegen's life since 1966 bear witness to this event.
God has guarded, maintained, and grown the work of revival that He stated. Rivers of living water continure to flow in South Africa and across the world.
Having read every word of this inspiring book, I cannot recommend it highly enough. As someone who has been regularly visiting KwaSizabantu Mission since 1987, I can testify to the truth of this remarkable book. Having also read God among the Zulus and other books on the Revival, attended almost every ministers conference, I thought I knew a lot about the Mission, but Bondservant of Christ revealed so much more. In fact no one can comprehend just how much God has accomplished, by his grace, through Rev Erlo Stegen and through his family and faithful co-workers. KwaSizabantu mission is the most extraordinary, exemplary and effective mission in all of Africa, possibly in the world. When I asked Rev. Bill Bathman, if I was overstating the case to declare that KwaSizabantu Mission is “the most blessed and effective mission in Africa”, he replied: "Peter, you can upgrade that to the world. I have ministered in 114 countries and there is no ministry on earth to compare with KwaSizabantu Mission in terms of missionary effectiveness and spiritual impact." I cannot think of any ministry, or government Department for that matter, which has accomplished more to practically help people than Uncle Erlo and the Mission of KwaSizabantu . Bondservant of Christ should be required reading for all missionaries and Theological students. It is an inspiring case study of an example of excellence in Missions, ministry and Revival.
This inspiring and challenging book consists of over 300 pages, with over 209 photographs, many of them in colour, including the historic context, conversion and calling behind the Revival. It reveals the historic roots of the unique work of God at KwaSizabantu mission, beginning with the Revival in Germany in the 19th-century and the launch of the North German Mission Society in Hamburg and the Ministry of Louis Harms and the ship they built, the Kandaze to transport Christian missionaries and farming families to reach Africa for Christ. Bondservant of Christ is an extraordinary record of the family background and early life of Erlo Stegen, who from his teenage years has been dedicated to reaching Zulu people for Christ.
Also available:
Bondservant Of Christ - The Life story of Erlo Stegen
Journey to the Truth - the story of the attack on KwasizaBantu mission
You can see the Video/interview with Gerda Potgieter, investigated Journalist, editor of Devoted magazine and author of a Journey to the Truth here: https://vimeo.com/manage/videos/850051900
To watch the video of the Book Launch: a Journey to the Truth - the Case of KwaSizabantu Mission click:https://vimeo.com/847131174?share=copy
To watch the Video of the presentation on a Journey to the Truth : the Case of KwaSizabantu Mission on Sunday Morning click https://vimeo.com/848334315?share=copy
To watch the video of the Book Launch: a Journey to the Truth - the Case of KwaSizabantu Mission click: https://vimeo.com/847131174?share=copy
To watch the Video of the presentation on a Journey to the Truth : the Case of KwaSizabantu Mission on Sunday Morning click https://vimeo.com/848334315?share=copy