Last month, Guy and Laura Hammond spent time in Southern Africa as part of their six-country tour across the continent, encouraging churches through Sunday sermons, parenting and marriage classes, and honest conversations about how to love and reach out to the LGBTQ+ community with the heart of Christ.
Guy, executive director of the Strength in Weakness Ministries, shared from his own life as he explored a biblical perspective on homosexuality and how disciples of Jesus are called to respond.
In South Africa, the Hammonds made Cape Town their base before travelling to Gaborone, Botswana, and later spending several weeks in Johannesburg, presenting lessons tailored to campus students, singles, and parents. These Christ-centred conversations focused on truth, holiness, and how to faithfully love people on the margins of society without compromising biblical conviction.
“At a time when the church is going through some changes and the general culture is volatile, Guy and Laura’s visit was an interesting spark to conversations that some would rather ignore, and both the members of the church and our visitors were shifted,” said Rapula Malejane, leader of the Gaborone church.
Here are some of the responses from those who attended the classes in Johannesburg:
“As parents of a toddler, teen and young adult, we found it topical and helpful, with our biggest takeaway being: love hard and pray hard.”
— Ryno and Rebeccas Ras (Joburg)
“What stood out for me was assuring your child that you are there to listen and support them throughout the life phase they are in, and making sure they feel love while instilling in them what the Bible says about whatever they are going through.”
— Eddis (Teen ministry leader)
“I learned that my relationship with my child is more important than the point I’m trying to make.”
— Annastasia Meerkotter (Joburg)
We are grateful to Guy and Laura for their hard work among us, and for sharing their hearts and lives so openly with us. Their visit not only encouraged meaningful conversations within our churches but also challenged many to pursue deeper compassion, biblical conviction, and Christlike love in a rapidly changing world.
