Rarely have I attended an event that has enriched my mind, soul, body, and spirit like the Rest and Renewal event with the Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute. I highly recommend it. It was a memorably great experience taught by experienced instructors.

I attended the Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute on Selfcare During a Crisis held on October 27-29, 2020. I am so pleased I did. I learned about the benefits of rest while even during a pandemic. I can now recognize the potential challenges and barriers to my needed rest and spiritual renewal. I am now taking appropriate actions to enjoy the benefits of a stress-free lifestyle. The trainers gave clear and direct answers to my questions during the workshop. Now I have strategies that I can implement to rest on a routine basis. Most of all, I have eliminated the habit of overeating and adopted a healthy lifestyle by eating salads, fewer sweets, drinking 6 to 8 glasses of water a day, and less coffee on a daily basis. My work habits are now stress-free as I have learned to do one task at a time, and that done well. I am so thankful to the Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute

I attended one of the Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute trainings on “Sabbath Rest” and it was a life-changing experience for me! I learned that resting in and with God was required by God. It’s in His word and is not some optional suggestion. This wonderful session was just the motivation that I needed to get back on the horse and to spend some time in the fresh air. Another great takeaway, this session encouraged me to spend a minimum of one hour each day outside, walking, gardening, breathing some fresh air. Before this training, I had hit a wall and stopped my daily walking. Now, I’m excited to start moving again and spending quiet time in God’s presence as I thank Him for the ability to enjoy His creation. I thank the Mafico Leadership Renewal Institute for motivating me to rejuvenate my life. I like this feeling!

Hey Dr. Mafico! How are you? I just talked with Maria Church, reminiscing over our Israel trip! We had such a wonderfully blessed good time….and I’m beyond ready to go on our next spiritual endeavor with you! As soon as I gather my coins together, I’ll be on board to wherever you lead us.

My Holy Land trip in 2018 far exceeded my expectations! I now read scripture and study the Bible with multifaceted lens and a greater zeal to live as unto the Lord!!! The trip was so enriching! Dr Mafico is a wonderful and extremely knowledgeable guide! Touring the Holy Lands was awe-inspiring, enlightening, moving and deeply spiritual. Every day of the tour was filled with mountaintop experiences in which the pages of the Bible literally came alive! Entering in the Old City of Jerusalem via the Lion’s Gate, tracing Jesus’ steps along the Via Delarosa, looking at the Old Jerusalem from the Mount of Olives, lingering at the Garden Tomb, sailing on the Sea of Galilea, being baptized in the “chilly” waters of the Jordan River, and floating on the salty Dead Sea — were among some of my most memorable and momentous experiences.

But this was not all that impacted me. Visiting the Nazareth Village, seeing a shepherd demonstrating his sheep that only obeyed his voice, seeing a carpenter modeling the use of tools employed during Jesus’ time, visiting a weaver spinning sheep’s wool into cloth as it would have been done over 2,000 years ago, and seeing an ancient olive press accompanied by a detailed explanation made an indelible impression on me. I am deeply appreciative to Dr. Mafico for his rich store of Biblical knowledge and travel! His extensive Biblical knowledge together with the choices of amazing sites with strong relevance for spiritual growth and deepening insights are incredible!

A definite strength Dr. Mafico imparted to me was his ability to demonstrate a conviction, and not just a definition of the importance of Sabbath rest! One particular place I remember feeling it distinctly was sailing on the Sea of Galilee. And I thank Dr. for it!

Dr. Mafico demonstrated an ease of leadership, or a laid-back style leadership, yet it was clear that he was our leader. He showed patience; was very knowledgeable; great sense of humor and deep compassion.

Dr. Mafico has a heart to help others; a desire to share Christ as source of renewal, refreshment, and hope; acceptance of each of us pastors as we were, and as we were in need–was powerful. This acceptance allowed me, No, it encouraged me to be at peace, renew my relationship with Christ as my Lord; and become again a Disciple. May God continue to bless His people through you and your heart, Dr. Mafico.

Beginning as a student in several of his classes; and continuing to study on his pilgrimages to Greece, Turkey and Egypt (in the last two years), he has made me seek more exegesis in each passage I preach. This has me led to deeper Bible study and the ability to truly preach with thorough conviction of any biblical text I choose. Doing exegesis with a passion has led me to critically examine a text and, I can certainly say that I am producing a better and spiritually equipped congregation!

Dr. Themba Mafico has served as my professor, adviser and mentor for more than twenty years. What has impressed me recently is his unwavering conviction to the reality that pastors and ministers require rest and renewal in order to adequately serve the body of Christ. I have been a part of two life changing pilgrimages. Dr. Mafico believes that God has commissioned him for this ministry. His commitment leads me to believe that he will fulfill this mission.

I traveled with Dr. Mafico to Greece, Turkey and the Holy Land in the last three years He is sensitive to the needs of those who are participating in the pilgrimage. The pilgrimage takes into consideration places where pastors and laity can participate and broaden their Biblical knowledge through seeing, hearing, touching, smelling, and tasting experiences in places that have been studied in church setting. The pilgrimage allows a pilgrim to rest, study, pray, contemplate, as well as recharge their spiritual and physical batteries. As our guide, Dr. Mafico used his skills of observation and spiritual discernment to uncover the strengths and weaknesses of the pastors/pilgrims as well as what each pastor/pilgrim needed during his or her journey. Dr. Mafico, through his intense studying in the areas of the Bible and travel, is knowledgeable of the culture, religious aspects, and how it pertains to the Bible. I returned on fire and am still on fire for ministry!

As I thought for a moment and reflected back to March 2007; this is what I can say about Dr. Mafico:
He is gifted in galvanizing people to accomplish their objectives; this speaks to leadership. He is focused and intentional in his ability to strategize a global experience for diverse groups of people from the orientation in Atlanta, throughout the Middle East journey to our parting the ways. His strong organizational skills set the tone for a pilgrimage allowing participants to build community, have fun, enjoy the sites and sounds, but still grasp the theological significance of standing on “holy ground.” He was sensitive yet diligent in reminding the group to disconnect (from all care and just be!) and honor the importance of sabbatical/rest. This has been unforgettable and life changing! His leadership offered clergy a new found freedom and a rediscovery of self-identity which often gets lost in our ministry context. With many of us, the ministry of liberation and renewal (because of the pilgrimage) has enhanced our pastoral care and spiritual formation beyond expectation! His passion for these global excursions made the participants passionate and excited enough to tell others of the experience, return themselves and bring their churches along; 3 years later we are still sharing about how the experience changed our lives and transformed our theology in a powerful way! Examples include our preaching, Bible study and communion are now done with a sense of prophetic imagination. Lastly, He handled everything (especially potential problems) with integrity! Thank you! Dr. Mafico