The United Free Church of Scotland has invited ministers from South Africa, after facing a shortage of home-grown ministers at their own church. Now three experienced ministers, Reverend Peter de Villiers, Patrick Coltman and Joseph Naika from the Cape Province have taken up posts in Leith, Stonehouse and Wishaw.

|TOP|According to history, although it is very common for Scottish missionaries to travel to Africa to spread the gospel, it was rare for ministers from Africa to come to Europe to preach.

48-year-old Reverend Joseph Naika, who has been a minister in South Africa for 17 years says, "I am enjoying it as it is a new experience for me. Our church in South Africa has strong roots with Scottish missionaries, so I feel that it is my major task to bring a strong gospel message and to try and get the people of Leith to embrace the gospel system.”

Christianity mission began to increase in Africa with the arrival of the Portuguese in the 15th century. Later on in the South of the continent, the Dutch founded the beginnings of the Dutch Reform Church in 1652.

|AD|According to history, Europeans have long delivered education, literacy and hope for the disadvantaged in Africa along with the Christian missions. But now, with a church in Europe calling ministers from Africa due to staff shortage, it seems as if the situation is starting to reverse.

"South Africa has a very strong church-going community where people have a dependency on God, but here [Scotland] it is different and I'm still trying to find out exactly why people have withdrawn from the church," he added.

Reverend Bobby Anderson, director of Scottish Churches World Exchange, has arranged an orientation programme for the ministers and their families and for the congregations where they have been appointed.

"The United Free Church has gone further than most in making this bold step. I think they will be well served by these three excellent ministers from South Africa. This is one to watch and learn from," said Mr Anderson.