Written by Fazel Freeks; North-West University
Article originally published in the September issue of JOY! Magazine
We have all been there. Matric. The final year of school that once seemed so far away suddenly arrives, bringing with it excitement, uncertainty, and countless questions. Will I pass? What career should I choose? What does God have planned for my life? For many Grade 12 learners, the future feels overwhelming. They stand on the threshold of adulthood, carrying dreams alongside fears and expectations. It is during this defining season that they need more than academic support – they need people who believe in them.
Answering the call
That is why the North-West University’s Faculty of Theology launched A Faculty Who Cares in 2020. More than a community engagement initiative, it is an expression of our calling to serve others. We believe the lasting legacy of theology is not confined to lecture halls or pulpits. It comes alive wherever people are encouraged, equipped, and reminded that they were created with purpose.
Theology in action
Through our partnerships with Promosa Secondary School and Potchefstroom Secondary School (Mohadin), we walk alongside Grade 12 learners during one of the most important seasons of their lives. Our focus extends far beyond examination preparation. We help learners develop effective study habits, build resilience, set meaningful goals, and make informed career choices. We also create safe spaces to speak honestly about issues affecting young people today, including substance abuse, violence, peer pressure, and uncertainty about the future. These conversations remind learners that their circumstances do not define their destiny. Education is powerful, but education combined with compassion, mentorship, and hope has the power to transform lives.
Every learner matters
During a recent visit to Promosa Secondary School, I had the privilege of sharing a simple message with the learners: “Working together is powerful. When we join hands, we can achieve far more than we ever could alone. Team spirit means helping one another, sharing our gifts, and lifting each other up.” We also reflected on four principles that every young person needs to hear:
- Celebrate your uniqueness.
- Respect the differences in others.
- Work together.
- Set goals that give your future direction.
Seen and valued
Sometimes a learner does not need another lecture. They simply need someone to remind them that they are seen, valued, and capable of becoming the person God created them to be. The school’s principal, Mrs VR Wathen Naidoo, expressed her gratitude for the university’s continued involvement, acknowledging the positive impact these workshops have had on both learners and educators.
Making a lasting difference
One truth has guided me throughout this journey: “If God can’t fix it, no one else can.” Through God’s grace, I have seen this truth lived out time and again. It has also taught me another important lesson: in a world where your impact may not always be immediately visible, never underestimate the difference you are making.
Beyond the statistics
Over the years, we have witnessed encouraging improvements in matric performance at the schools we serve. Yet behind every statistic is something far more valuable than a percentage. There is a learner who has discovered confidence. A family whose hope has been restored. A young person who now believes that a brighter future is possible. These are the moments that remind us why community, and our engagement with it, matters.
More than theology
People often think theology is only about preparing pastors. I believe it is much more than that. Theology prepares people to become compassionate leaders, wise counsellors, ethical decision-makers, and faithful servants who bring hope wherever God calls them. Whether our graduates serve in churches, schools, communities, non-profit organisations, or leadership positions, they carry with them values that our world desperately needs – integrity, compassion, wisdom, and servant leadership. That is why I believe theology remains as relevant today as ever before. It helps people wrestle with life’s deepest questions while equipping them to make a meaningful difference in the lives of others.
A faith that serves
As A Faculty Who Cares continues to grow, my prayer is that more people will discover what theology truly is. It is not merely something we study. It is something we live. It serves. It leads. And through Christ, it transforms lives.
This article appears in the September 2026 issue of JOY! Magazine. Read the digital version of this magazine here: joygifts.co.za
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Date published: 18/08/2026
Feature image: Sourced from original article from JOY! Magazine September issue
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