Rhodes University Mission: "Filling the Gap & Changing the Nation"
September 25, 2006

African Enterprise endeavors, above all else, to evangelize the multitudes that live within the cities of Africa. What better way to begin a revival than to reach out to the young adults in university with the leadership capacity to change the future? Seeing this great potential, Greg Smerdon, the new AE South Africa team leader reinstituted AE's university missions in 2006 after a twenty year gap, and continued it this year with an unprecedented success at the renowned Rhodes University in Grahamstown, in the Eastern Cape of South Africa.

Beginning on August 27th, the mission incorporated the efforts of AE staff, local church leaders, professors, and student members of the interdenominational campus network, Christians@Rhodes. The theme of the week addressed the gap in every person's life and the way in which Jesus is able to fill it. The response to speakers, small group meetings, and musical presentations was overwhelming, undoubtedly due in large part to the 24 hour prayer vigil organized by a Rhodes student, running throughout the week. Michael Cassidy, founder of AE, marveled at the "spiritual hunger", "intellectual openness", and "interest" shown by the students.

Targeting the intellectual minds of the university students, professors and professionals from around the country presented their views on the academic issues surrounding Christianity. Various professors shared a brief Christian testimony in light of their own academic discipline prior to each lunchtime lecture. Additionally, Keith Mathee, a distinguished lawyer, presented the factual and historical evidence for the validity of the resurrection, while in another talk Professor Peter Baker philosophically defended Christian theism. Professor Brian Gaybba spoke on the person of Jesus and the importance of spiritual fellowship. Finally, Professor David Block, Wits University Astro-Physicist, enthralled the audience with some the latest photography from space, whilst presenting solid arguments for intelligent design.

Guest speakers included celebrities Penny Heynes, Michael Mol, Baby Jake Matlala, and Gary Kirsten who all testified to the fulfillment in their lives, due not to fame and fortune as is advocated by the world, but through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. At all these events, lecture halls brimmed to capacity and Michael Cassidy had the opportunity to follow the speakers with the message of salvation.

AE staff gave talks addressing the current issues facing students such as depression, abortion, sexuality, homesickness, alcohol, and drug abuse. These were always followed by lively discussions and often some profound counseling opportunities. Michael Cassidy spoke with his daughter Debbie Kirsten on the task of finding a life partner and the biblical understanding of marriage, sexuality, and family. An overwhelming 360 students stood when Michael asked who wanted to "surrender their love destiny to Christ". The participants were blessed throughout the week with music by Benjamin Dube and a Zimbabwean group called "Faith that Moves Mountains". There was also entertainment by AE's own Foxfires with dance, rhythms, drama, and testimonies.

Upon taking the microphone at the opening rally of the Rhodes University Mission, Michael Cassidy remembers feeling that the "ministry in this mission was going to be carried out with wonderful freedom in the Spirit and effectiveness in spiritual consequence and fruit". This ministry will be continued through follow-up meetings in the coming years, culminating in another major mission in three years. This coming year, AE will undertake a similar mission to Stellenbosch University in the southwest part of the country.