“I can confirm today that my psychological studies at HEFSIBA – Institute for Christian Higher Education, converted me to Christianity, and I am so thankful and glad it did. My salvation to Christianity was an act of pure grace.”
Abreu Francisco Matenge
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Abreu Francisco Matenge was a Muslim who converted to Christianity during his studies at HEFSIBA Institute for Christian Higher Education in Northwest Mozambique. He is now a teacher at the local Secondary School and an elder of the Reformed Church in Mozambique (IRM) in Lichinga. He started as an evangelist-teacher in this Muslim-dominated area with two members in 2021 and they grew currently to 30 members. He is married to Farida José Matenge and the couple has three boys.
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HOW I LANDED AT HEFSIBA
After my training as a teacher, to my dismay, I could not find a vacancy in my own province, the province of Niassa where my family and people were staying. But in hindsight, I know God had a purpose in my life, I wanted to work in Nampula, but God’s plan was different, I was sent to work in the province of Tête and landed in the district of Tsangano at the school of Fonteboa which is not so far from Vila Ulónguè in the Angonia district. At that time, I didn’t know what was going on. I did not know that God was working with me and had another calling for my life.
Although I had a job and was earning money, I became very frustrated because of my surroundings. I missed the fact that there was no mosque and no communion with my fellow Muslim brothers. This frustration was aggravated because there was no halal food to eat. I was in a crisis and confused. I did not understand God’s ways with me. To still this vacuum I started reading and studying the Qumran in Arabic even more. It also became an obsession for me to further my studies preferably at a university.
In conversation with my colleagues at school, they told me about HEFSIBA an Institute for Higher Christian Education at Vila. I started seeing some light in the tunnel and my happiness level went up a little.
Arriving at HEFSIBA, I handed in all my documents for approval. I was very disappointed when the Academic and Administration Department rejected my application. They rejected it for two reasons. First, my certificate was for a medium professional level and HEFSIBA wanted at least 12th grade. Fortunately, I was able to prove that my Teacher’s Diploma is regarded by the Department of Education of Mozambique as at least equal to the 12th Grade.
The second requirement that formed a stumbling block was the fact that I stated openly that I am a Muslim. HESIBA wanted an undertaking from me that I will respect the Christian teaching in the classes. I agreed to this condition and I was accepted. I enrolled for the four-year honour’s degree in clinical psychology which also had a pastoral element.
THE STRANGE CURRICULUM
I was exposed to new, and for me, very strange subject material. Part of the course was about our spiritual lives and about a Christian worldview (philosophy). It was also here that I first heard and took note of the Three Confessions of Unity of the Reformed Church. As a former teacher, I was also exposed to Christian children’s ministry. I was confused. It was too much to take in – it felt as if I did not understand anything. I was greatly confused after four months of study and realised that my lack of Biblical knowledge contributed to the situation.
I decided to talk to one of the lecturers personally about my confusion. I contacted Rev. Samuel Matunda partly because he understood my mother tongue Lomue which is related to Macua. I told him that I am in a mess and very much confused. As a matter of fact, Rev Matunda suffered a lot because of all my questions. But as a man of God, he really had patience with me and answered the questions patiently and with wisdom.
THE DOCTRINE OF FORGIVENESS TOUCHED MY HEART
What really lead me to become a Christian was the teachings on unconditional forgiveness – even for your enemies! This was contra the teachings from the Qumran which in certain parts allowed believers to take revenge and harm people who did you wrong. I was gradually convinced that the biblical teachings were truer than that of the Qumran. It took a lot of courage but I eventually went to Rev. Samuel and told him about my decision to follow the Bible and Jesus as Saviour. This was a wonderful day in my life. I declared the wish now to belong to a Christian church.
I have great admiration for the wisdom of Rev. Samuel that told me the following: “Brother, you already know the Word of God. Now, you are free to choose the church that you feel comfortable with.” I was puzzled. I expected him to convince me to form part of the Reformed Church. In my neighbourhood, there was an African Assemblies of God Church. I then started attending their services, but I didn’t feel comfortable with some aspects which I would not go any deeper now.
I JOINED THE REFORMED CHURCH OF MOZAMBIQUE
I returned to Rev. Matunda and told him that I feel more comfortable in the Reformed Church and am willing to form part of the local congregation after the necessary training. He was so happy that day! He told me I fought a good fight and encouraged me to continue this new way. So, I am not shy to tell everybody now that Jesus lives in my life and he is the Saviour of the world.
HEFSIBA WAS INSTRUMENTAL IN MY CONVERSION
I can confirm today that my psychological studies at HEFSIBA – Institute for Christian Higher Education, converted me to Christianity, and I am so thankful and glad it did.
The letter was translated from Portuguese to English by Matenge’s former lecturer and dean of the department of psychology at HEFSIBA ICH, dr Kruger du Preez, currently serving as curriculum consultant for NetACT.