The Kingdom of Eswatini (formerly Swaziland)

Elim Church Romsey has had an association with Challenge Ministries (CM) for several years.

Challenge Ministries is a charity based at Potters Wheel Church in Mbabane, the capital of Eswatini. CM supports many causes including a Men's Centre, a Women's Centre, churches and children's work in remote communities. Most notably they founded and run an orphanage caring for nearly 400 children in Bulembu, an old mining town in the North West of the country.

Eswatini Update

The ministry is over 25 years old and continues to grow as they seek God and listen to his calling. They have just started on a new 5 year plan with a vision of what God wants them to achieve by the year 2030. Click on the picture below to see their inspiring video describing the plan.

CMS 2030 plan

Trip to Eswatini

We are planning a trip to Eswatini in August 2026, exact date to be confirmed, so it will definitely be in school holidays. The trip will be 2 weeks and will visit many of the locations where the ministry is working.

We are all affected by the cost of living crisis so the price of £2200 per person is a bit more than previous years. This is a large amount of money, but it is very good value. It includes the return flight to Johannesburg, private minibus transfer to Eswatini, guest house accommodation which is basic but very clean and comfortable, 3 meals a day of good quality western style food. All the trips included and an Eswatini guide, ending with a safari in the world famous Kruger National Park on the last day.

There is no commitment required at the moment, but we would love to hear from you if you are interested. When we have the group together there will be a time to sign a form and pay a deposit when you are sure it’s right for you.

In August 2023 a group from the church visited Eswatini and had a great time. To get a flavour of the trip, click on the picture below.


DSC 1186e2


Lavumisa Twinning

Challenge Ministries has a program of In Community By Community (ICBC) church plants throughout Eswatini.
The ICBC’s are in rural and poor areas of the country. Each ICBC consists of a church building, a pastors house with a pastor (usually full time) and a pre-school. It is in the community it serves and it is by the community because the community gets together to help build the church and pastors house. The pastor is not paid a salary, he is supported by his congregation, the community. The target is to get to 60 ICBC’s across the country. This will provide a church and pre-school within reach for everyone in the rural areas. In fact, to reach the whole country with the gospel.
 
We have a special connection to Lavumisa ICBC. Since our first visit we have sponsored the water project to provide water to the villagers in the dry season. Then installed lights and power into the church and the mission huts. The church is lead by Pastor Sabelo. He is an amazing man. He has totally committed his life to the Lord’s work, and his life is dedicated to running the church and caring for his flock in the village.
 
Challenge Ministries have a twinning program to link churches with each ICBC and we are twinned with Lavumisa. It enables Pastor Sabelo to share prayer requests and other needs. These are for private prayer when any of you feel called to do so and for other occasions such as church prayer meetings.

 

Lavumisa News


Is the river flowing with water yet?

Yes, the river is flowing and it's time to pump the water to the church.

Pastor Sabelo
August 2025
 

Prayer requests

 
Hi all. Greeting from Pastor Sabelo Lavumisa. Anticipating for the first rain showers in this community. As the spring season is approaching, the dry wind is affecting all the green vegetation here. I'm praying for the wet ground as the farmers are eagerly looking forward to seeing rainfall.
August 2025
 

The latest newsletters can be opened by clicking on the logo's below:

  For the latest Update from CM UK click here:   For the latest Update from CM Eswatini click here:   For the latest Update from Bulembu click here:  
  Challenge Ministries UK logo   CMS logo low res White   Bulembu beat header  
             
  This is the link to the CM UK website:   This is a link to the CM Eswatini website:   This is a link to the dedicated Bulembu website:  
  Challenge Ministries UK logo   CMS logo low res Black   Bulembu logo horizontal web bl  


For more information go to the CM UK website. Here you can go to the contact page, enter your details and request a newsletter. You can also make one off or monthly donations and you can sponsor a child.



 

Hello
Hello and welcome to our church. If you are a new visitor, we have a page for you to get to know us and learn more about planning a visit.
Click to see more

Planning your Visit

New to Church?

  Church greeters sml  

Welcome! Whether you've just moved to the area, you are just visiting us or have lived here all your life, we hope our website helps you to find out everything you want to know about our Church.

Key information about the church...

   

Where & when does the church meet?

The church meets every Sunday at 10:30am and 6:30pm for our Sunday Services. In addition, we have a prayer meeting every Friday morning at 10:00am. Other events are as detailed on the calendar.

Please arrive in good time to get settled and enjoy the praise and worship from the start.

We meet at:

Middlebridge Street
Romsey
Hants SO51 8HL


You can see a map on our Contact page.

   

What should I expect when I visit the church?

You will receive a very warm welcome particularly from our welcome team who will be able to answer your questions and direct you to where you need to go. There will be around half an hour of singing with opportunity for church members to pray or read a passage from the bible. After the notices there will be a preach from one of the leaders at the Church with a chance to respond at the end of the service.  
 

What happens to the kids at church?

LIMITLESS is the Elim brand name for all of our children's and youth work at our church. This is available for up to year 6, in the minor hall during the morning message.

 

Is there a dress code?

No! Please just be yourself and come dressed in your 'normal' clothes.

   

Will I have to join in?

Not at all! You are free to simply observe or participate as much as feels comfortable for you.

 

I have more questions, how can I get in touch and ask them?

Please feel free to contact us for more information.

Also check out the Who's Who page to find out more about Pastor Dave and his wife Jackie.