After speaking at several Anglican churches over the past month, a former drug dealer turned evangelist has just boarded a flight home to South Africa leaving local supporters fired up.
Dino Naidoo is the Director of Foxfires, an African Enterprise youth ministry focused on taking the gospel to young Africans in various ways, including dance and drama.
Born in South Africa, into poverty and a dysfunctional family, Dino soon became involved in drug dealing and crime, and by 18 years old was a compulsive gambler and an alcoholic.
His obsession with money and gambling lead him to shoot a friend in the chest at 22, leaving him as a wanted "dead" man by many gangs.
At 24, he found Christ, and is now one of South Africa's most dynamic evangelists.
St Mark’s last Sunday
St Mark's Berowra hosted Dino Naidoo at their 9:45am family service last Sunday, where he shared his testimony once more.
Mary Hand from St Mark's left the service greatly encouraged by Mr Naidoo's testimony.
"[It was] very exciting," she said. "I've been praying for African Enterprise for a very long time."
Foxfires is a gap year ministry, encouraging young Christians in Africa to serve for a year, and educating them through a series of life skills on relevant issues, including AIDS, pregnancy and crime.
"[These] young people are used in ministry and empowered to go back to their churches and serve them," Mr Naidoo said. "They can go back to their local churches and do paid ministry" or they can volunteer for youth ministry."
Armen Nalbandian, the Partnerships and Youth Ministry Director for African Enterprise, described Dino’s tour as a way for African Enterprise to serve the churches that generously donate and support their work.
"It's about the partnership," Mr Nalbandian said. "We're blessing the church and the church is blessing us."
Mr Nalbandian believes the partnership is important, as there is much to be shared and learnt from one another, including "different ways of evangelism."
