18/09/2026
Allow me to respond to this gigantic question as a Pastor. I believe I speak as a Representative for many Pastors as I'm in a leadership position with Fountain of Life International Ministries, Global School of Ministry as well as International Ministers Fellowship SA.
A PASTORAL RESPONSE TO THE KILLINGS AROUND KEMPTON PARK
This is a very serious moment, and a pastor's response should go beyond simply saying, “We are praying.”
A pastor needs to speak from several positions at once: grief, compassion, responsibility, justice and hope.
1. THE CHURCH MUST MOURN
Before preaching explanations, the Church must mourn.
These women are not merely cases, numbers or statistics. They were daughters, sisters, mothers, relatives, friends and members of communities.
Romans 12:15 teaches us to:
“Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.”
There is a time when the pulpit must allow the community to grieve. Families are hurting. Communities are frightened. Women are asking whether they are safe.
The Church must be present in that pain.
2. THE KILLINGS MUST BE CONDEMNED WITHOUT QUALIFICATION
There can be no justification for murder.
We must also be careful not to shift responsibility onto victims by asking:
Why was she walking there?
Why was she alone?
What was she wearing?
Why was she outside at that hour?
These questions can unintentionally place the burden upon the person who was harmed.
The moral responsibility for murder belongs to the murderer.
Human life is sacred.
Genesis 1:27 reminds us that human beings are created in the image of God. An attack upon human life therefore attacks something God Himself regards as precious.
3. MEN MUST BE CALLED TO RESPONSIBILITY WITHOUT DECLARING ALL MEN GUILTY
This distinction is important.
The Church should challenge men to confront violence, abusive behaviour, hatred and degrading attitudes towards women without treating every man as though he were a potential murderer.
Good men must not remain silent because they are not personally committing the crime.
We must teach our boys and men that strength is not brutality.
Strength includes self-control, responsibility, protection of human dignity and the courage to challenge wrongdoing.
Sometimes another man hears the threatening words before a woman does.
Sometimes another man notices disturbing behaviour.
Sometimes friends know that something is seriously wrong.
We must create a culture in which men can say to other men:
“Brother, what you are doing is wrong. Stop.”
4. PRAYER MUST BECOME PRACTICAL MINISTRY
We absolutely must pray.
But prayer must not become an excuse for inactivity.
James 2:17 teaches that:
“Faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.”
Churches can pray while also becoming practically involved.
We can support grieving families.
We can accompany vulnerable people where appropriate.
We can encourage communities to report credible information to the police.
We can cooperate with legitimate Community Police Forums and community-safety initiatives.
We can provide pastoral counselling to traumatised families.
We can teach our congregations to recognise abusive and threatening behaviour.
We can create safe spaces where frightened people can speak.
The Church building should not become a hiding place from society's problems.
Sometimes prayer must leave the sanctuary and walk into the streets.
5. THE CHURCH MUST NOT SPREAD RUMOURS
Fear creates fertile ground for rumours.
People naturally want answers:
Who is doing this?
Is there one killer?
Are several people involved?
Where do they come from?
Which community is responsible?
But a pastor must distinguish between what has been established and what people are merely saying.
We should never condemn a nationality, race, community or group because of rumours.
Let investigators establish the facts.
Our responsibility is to pursue truth without creating additional victims through false accusations.
6. JUSTICE AND COMPASSION MUST WALK TOGETHER
We pray that those responsible will be identified and brought before the law.
Seeking justice is not hatred.
Isaiah 1:17 says:
“Learn to do well; seek judgment, relieve the oppressed…”
And Proverbs 31:8–9 instructs us:
“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
The Church cannot preach righteousness privately while remaining indifferent to injustice publicly.
7. FEAR MUST NOT HAVE THE FINAL WORD
Kempton Park and the surrounding communities must not become prisoners of fear.
People should certainly exercise reasonable caution and cooperate with legitimate safety measures.
But evil must not be allowed to convince an entire community that darkness has won.
The Christian message remains one of hope.
We mourn.
We pray.
We speak.
We protect.
We cooperate with authorities.
We support the hurting.
We demand justice.
And we continue proclaiming that human life has value.
A PASTOR'S DECLARATION
“We will pray—but we will not use prayer as an excuse for silence.
We will mourn with the families.
We will stand with frightened communities.
We will protect the vulnerable wherever we reasonably can.
We will challenge violence and destructive behaviour.
We will cooperate with those pursuing justice.
We will refuse to spread rumours or condemn innocent people.
And we will refuse to allow fear to have the final word.
Our prayers must leave the church building and become compassion, responsibility and action in our communities.”
WHEN PRAYER MUST LEAVE THE CHURCH BUILDING
Perhaps this tragedy presents the Church with one uncomfortable question:
What is the value of a praying Church that never becomes the answer to somebody else's prayer?
We cannot do the work of the police.
We cannot personally prevent every crime.
But surely we can mourn with those who mourn.
Surely we can speak for those whose voices have been silenced.
Surely we can teach our sons differently.
Surely we can challenge destructive behaviour.
Surely we can comfort traumatised families.
Surely we can become our brother's—and our sister's—keeper.
Micah 6:8 reminds us:
“…what doth the LORD require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God?”
This is such a moment.
A moment to do justly.
A moment to love mercy.
A moment to walk humbly with God.
And perhaps, above all, a moment when prayer must leave the church building.
Apostle Dan Tlhabane
