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Then, at the Hands of Compassion community in northern Johannesburg, over 100 blacks, whites, and colored (South Africans of mixed race) live together in intentional community. They bake bread every day to feed the community. And they bake more loaves that every day are piled into trucks and distributed in local townships.

"I have compassion on the crowd because they … have nothing to eat," said Jesus. And "he took seven loaves and the fish … and the disciples gave them to the crowds" (Matt. 15:32, 36). At all these churches, it's like a daily feeding of the 4,000, and the miracle is that it happens every day.

This eucharistic act is literally saving lives, and making for peace. Without the churches, thousands of South Africans would die — or start rioting to secure their future.

Which brings up another thing: In some communities, the church has taken the lead in promoting — no, insisting on — peace. This video clip summarizes the story of how churches in Diepsloot, a settlement north of Johannesburg, put a halt to riots that had erupted in their community. I interviewed Admore Mkwesa, who pastors a tent church that has grown from five to 80 people under his ministry (he is also an unpaid pastor, working as a carpenter to feed his family).

Pastor Mkwesa is from Malawi, and much of his congregation is from Zimbabwe, Malawi, and Mozambique. Naturally, he was anxious when he heard about xenophobic riots that had broken out. But while some foreigners fled the settlement, and for good reason, Pastor Mkwesa and the other pastors did not.

Local officials — "councilors" — pled with pastors of the 20-some churches in the settlement to do something. The pastors called a community meeting, and everyone prayed. Then the Christians marched. They made their presence known throughout Diepsloot, to say enough was enough.

Given the fear that shot through other communities like this, it was a moment of extraordinary courage — and a large reason the rioting in Diepsloot evaporated so quickly.

And why the foreigners in Diepsloot have remained in the community. From Cape Town to Johannesburg, foreigners are telling reporters they are afraid to go back to their communities — thus the need for the tent cities. But not in Diepsloot.

Though South Africa roils with problems that would destabilize other nations — unemployment, crime, corruption, racism, tribalism, despair — it has not collapsed on itself. That's no doubt due partly to the local church acting with compassion and courage.

During the apartheid era, just 15 years ago, South African churches were a pariah, scorned either as racist or escapist. Yes, Christian leaders continue to call for the reformation and renewal of South African churches. But as it stands, it's hard not to admire what churches are currently doing.

Mark Galli is senior managing editor of Christianity Today. He is on assignment in South Africa.

Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

Mark Galli's previous two dispatches from South Africa were "A Refugee's Quiet Dignity" and "Siege from Within: Day and Night in Johannesburg."

A video clip he made about "Ministry After South Africa's Xenophobic Riots" is available on Youtube.

NPR is doing a series on South Africa. Articles include "South Africa's Version of FBI Falls Victim to Politics," "Thabo Mbeki's Successes, Failures in South Africa," and "South Africa's 'Rainbow Nation' Still Only a Dream."

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June (Web-Only) 2008, Vol. 52