Missionary profile – Thabang and Tshenolo Selemala

Thabang and Tshenolo Selemala

Missionaries from South Africa to Botswana

When I was two years old, my parents separated. I spent my childhood oscillating between relatives. I took odd jobs after school and became a master of many. Then Christ found me and gave me the best job ever —a missionary and a mobilizer. I’m now serving with my wife as a missionary in Southern Africa.

While living with my grandma, a man visited to share the Gospel with her. I raised my hands when he made an altar call—but I didn’t understand salvation. In middle school, I got saved for the final time, but I was always under the conviction that I couldn’t go to heaven because of the sins I had committed.

Years later, while working as a Geologist Assistant in a Mining Exploration project, a man who used to sell Bibles from his red car trunk talked to me about the assurance of salvation. He gave me a Bible; that was the last time I talked myself out of salvation again.

I decided to do what he was doing—I became the guy you needed to see if you needed a Bible. I’d write my name and number on the Bibles, and I got several calls. That was my introduction to sharing the Gospel fearlessly.

We formed an inter-denominational youth forum with some youth from various churches. We did a good job as we evangelised every Wednesday and Saturday in nearby villages. Wednesday was set aside for hospital evangelism.

While working as a Geologist Assistant, I found a website called Gospel for Asia and ordered a book—Revolution in World Mission. I read the book and was shocked by the many people who didn’t have the gospel!

Many of us evangelised in our local area, yet this region had almost no Gospel. It struck me that it was easier for a missionary to reach someone of their nation.

I felt the call to leave and help meet the greater need for the gospel, especially in my community. Later, I attended a talk by CAPRO missionaries, and God opened my eyes to the need for the gospel in Africa.

I felt the need to go out and do missions cross-culturally. After praying and seeking godly counsel, I joined the CAPRO School of Mission and later went out as a missionary. I was reaching out to an unreached people group who were refugees in my locality.

I served as the National Director for CAPRO South Africa and afterwards spent a little time with my family in Botswana, again serving as National Coordinator. We’re on a break as we sort out work permit-related issues

Mission work is still drizzling in Africa; it’s not yet a downpour. We must pray for our churches to steer the African Church towards missions. We’re not saved to have a good life—but to preach the gospel to the whole world.

Copyright AfriGO 2022

#Pray:

• For my role as a husband, that I may lead my family as God wants me to.
• For wisdom in my new role as we help pioneer a new Regional Office.
• For peace and healing—I’m on treatment for depression. Pray that God will speed up my recovery.