FRONTLINE MINISTRY IN BOTSWANA By Lesenamore Thulaganyo Mokgwane, as told to Deena Bartel-Wagner 20 He understood that the soldiers under his care would be his congregation, just as the congregations he ministered to in the local church. esenamore Thulaganyo to complete the interview. “I’d heard Mokgwane never dreamed that I should expect to spend about Lhe’d make a ministry career 20-25 minutes with the committee,” change after 20+ years of literature says Mokgwane. “Imagine my surprise evangelism, pastoral ministry, and when the questions continued for one administrative work. A conversation and a half hours!” with a fellow student during graduate Finally, the committee whittled school courses reignited his interest the group of candidates down to in becoming a military chaplain in the three. Suddenly, two dropped out Botswana Defence Force. and Mokgwane was the only one “I’d applied to become a military left. They had one last question for chaplain in 1997, but my application Mokgwane. What would he do about was rejected because of my age. I gave Sabbath, if he were needed. “I had up that dream and continued with my just one answer,” says Mokgwane. “I church ministry,” says Mokgwane. would be there if I was needed for an “During a conversation with my emergency.” He understood that the graduate school friend I learned that soldiers under his care would be his civilians could enter the chaplaincy congregation, just as the congregations and the age factor wasn’t an issue.” he ministered to in the local church. Mokgwane met all of the Today, he serves as a civilian chaplain requirements and applied. Three weeks in the Botswana Defence Forces and later he was called in for an interview. holds the rank of senior chaplain, I learned that another Adventist pastor which is equivalent to Major. had also applied. The military would “At the beginning of my chaplaincy only accept one of us, so I volunteered career, I was assured that I would to withdraw my application,” says not be sent into operational areas,” Mokgwane. Instead, he was encouraged says Mokgwane. “Instead, I have FRONTLINE MINISTRY IN BOTSWANA By Lesenamore Thulaganyo Mokgwane, as told to Deena Bartel-Wagner 21 been sent and gone where I was workers, psychologists, and counselors needed most. This could be in anti- to provide support to soldiers who are poaching operations, working with in crisis.” police on crime control, and other As chaplain, Mokgwane will work situations. The BDF also engages one-on-one with a soldier who in peace-keeping missions and have is in acute need, but he will refer participated in Somalia, Rwanda, maintenance cases to social workers on Mozambique, and Lesotho. staff. This frees up his time to care for The major component of his work more people who are under his care. is to provide counseling, both in “I have 7,000 soldiers and groups and to individuals. “There is a their families who look to me for great need for family life training and spiritual guidance,” says Mokgwane. helping families to be successful and “Sometimes it can be overwhelming. healthy,” says Mokgwane. I don’t always feel like I have had During his time with the military adequate training and that frustrates families, Mokgwane has witnessed me at times.” the isolation that children often One of the methods that experience. “My experience as a youth Mokgwane uses to reach many of the director has helped me to know how families is to provide a type of Bible to reach out to youth who may be school for children up to age 12. at high risk,” says Mokgwane. He They are invited to participate in the believes mentoring is an effective way activities and learn more about Jesus. to guide them. “I help the teens find “This program is done in consultation opportunities to do job shadowing and with the local Adventist conference receive career counseling. This gives children’s ministry department,” says them a hope for a future.” Mokgwane. “It couldn’t happen if I Suicide prevention is another facet didn’t have a superb support staff to of Mokgwane’s ministry. “The suicide assist me in this outreach.” Supplies rate is increasing,” says Mokgwane. are limited and this often means “The chaplain works with social creative planning must fill the gap Mokgwane and his sons. 22 “Many couldn’t believe that I would voluntarily leave my church work to join the military as a chaplain. Some even asked me if I had done something to be released from my church positions.” when there aren’t enough materials knew God had led me to be in that for the children’s programming. place at that moment.” Another role that Mokgwane fills One of the greatest hindrances is that of advisor to the commandant. Mokgwane faces is the lack of a chapel “When we are faced with difficult for services. “Currently, we don’t choices, the commandant wants my have a chapel where we can meet reflection on what is the right thing on a regular basis,” says Mokgwane. to do,” says Mokgwane. “He may ask “This impacts our programming and me if I believe an operation is morally spiritual activities. We often find right. It is a solemn moment to give ourselves moving from room to room, that kind of advice.” which doesn’t provide the stability that Chaplains don’t typically live we need for a congregation.” within the perimeter of the camp, Mokgwane knows that his time but Mokgwane is a rare case. He is as a military chaplain is limited. provided a house in addition to his Mandatory retirement is at age 60, but salary. Being near to the soldiers his commanders have indicated that he contributes to accessibility by the soldiers when they need to talk could extend his time. As Mokgwane with the chaplain. This has been an reflects on his role as a pastor and as important factor in overcoming the a chaplain, he has a burden for the soldiers’ skepticism. “Initially, when church to see the opportunity that is I joined the BDF, soldiers questioned available right now. “I want my church whether I was genuine,” says to take advantage of what they could Mokgwane. “Many couldn’t believe do and be,” says Mokgwane. “There is that I would voluntarily leave my an open door right now for Adventists church work to join the military as a to be a part of this kind of ministry. chaplain. Some even asked me if I had We need to look to the future of done something to be released from the mission in the church and not my church positions. I happily told overlook those who serve in uniform them that I was with them because I for their country and fellow citizens.” 23.