I am Rev. Dr. Zaihita, originally from the Fiherenana Toliary Synod of the Malagasy Lutheran Church in Madagascar. I am the fourth child of my mother, Perline, but the first child of my father, Ravelo Pierre (at his age of 60); I have one younger brother and one baby sister (and 1 step-brother & 2 step sisters).

I was baptised at age of 7 and confirmed at age of 18. My mother has been a Christian since age of 10, but my father wasn’t (only converted to Christianity when I was in seminary in 1986), so was only able to attend church regularly at age of 17, when away from parents for schooling. Learning more about Christ during confirmation class (plus the last motivational message from our parish pastor the day before confirmation led me decide to become a pastor after I was confirmed.

I started Bible School (pre-Seminary) (1984-1986), then Seminary studies 1986-1991. I served Fanjakana Parish September 1991– August 1993, where I was ordained the on 13th September 1992. I returned to seminary for graduate studies from September 1993 and got my Honour’s degree in Systematic Theology in July 1995, and my Master’s degree in OT in July 1996. I was appointed to teach in the Bezaha Seminary from September 1996 to June 1999.

I was asked to pursue doctoral studies and, for preparation, I was sent to do English studies in Denver Colorado July 1999 – July 2000 and joined the Lutheran organisation of Urban Servant Corps, where I served as a fulltime volunteer at Metro-CareRing, an NGO distributing all basic needs for people who don’t have enough, and served as an assistant pastor at Prince of Peace Lutheran Church on weekends.

August 2000, I moved to Gettysburg Seminary (LTSG) in Pennsylvania (joined by my family) to start biblical languages studies, till May 2001. From June -August 2001, I served as a full time Chaplain at Lutheran Youth Summer Camp in Susquehanna, Pennsylvania.

September 2001, we moved to Chicago, undertaking Master’s program in Old Testament at Lutheran School of Theology at Chicago (LSTC), completed in May 2003. September 2003 to June 2004, I did an unaudited PHD Leadership Program.  February 2005, started my program of research and writing for my PhD dissertation in contextual theology at UKZN Pietermaritzburg campus, completed in August 2010. September 2010 to February 2013: lecturing in Bezaha Seminary in Madagascar. March 2013 – December 2017: serving the Korsten Parish in Port Elizabeth. January 2018 – December 2020: serving the Cape Town North Parish. January 2021 to present, serving the Grassy Park Parish.

Picture of the Family

May God continue to Bless you in your ministry, now more than ever in Grassy Park Parish. Warm Welcome

Read more here: https://www.delouw.co.za/induction-rev-dr-zahita-western-cape-circuit/