He has never held back from discussing sex, HIV/AIDS, and marital issues in front of the congregation at church.
He addressed issues of infidelity, low sex drive, romance and has often made headlines for his uncensored preaching about sex where he quotes the bible to back up his statements.
After four decades of being a pastor and educating couples on sex; author Pastor Agrippa Khathide is stepping away from the pulpit to mentor and train young pastors.
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Years later taking punches from critics, he is ready to hand the reigns over to one of his sons who is training to be a minister.
“I am fulfilled in the work that I have done,” he says.
“I have a collection of published books. I’ve released CDs to assist couples in overcoming sensitive marital issues. I’ve been blessed to share a lifetime with my wife, Malefu Khathide, who’s a born-again Christian. I’ve seen my children grow in the Lord. On a Kingdom level, I’ve won souls for the Kingdom. I feel great even when one soul is accepted into the kingdom and that brings a level of fulfilment,” Pastor Khathide says.
He is not retiring but taking time away from the pulpit to mentor young pastors.
“Retiring is a strong word and often used negatively,” Pastor Khathide says.
“As a child of God you always serve, preach, teach counsel, fellowship, so the word retirement doesn’t truly reflect the journey I am partaking. One is merely shifting focus from an evangelistic ministry which requires a great deal of traveling to a more measured approach to ministry.”
Pastor Khathide will be using his time to mentor and nurture young pastors at the Auckland Park Theological Seminary as Head of Missiology Faculty.
“This has always been my passion and I wish to commit myself more to academic responsibilities,” he says.
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In the many years where he has stood up for couples having a healthy sex life, he has been judged and labelled blasphemous.
“The biggest misconception was that I only preach about sex and that talking about sex is ungodly,” he says.
“God created sex to be enjoyed within the institution of marriage, as well as procreation. We cannot, therefore, disassociate God when we preach on the topic.”
Pastor Khathide says the church has had sex as a taboo subject.
“The church has created a shroud of secrecy that is not always beneficial to the health of marriages. We wanted to break that shackle of chains,” Pastor Khathide adds.
“But I am content, I have played my part and educated those who were willing to listen. My job does not end, I still have a long way to go in teaching young pastors,” he says.
One issue he wishes he had more time to unpack was witchcraft in the church.
“I don’t think that I have shared enough or spoken out on pastors that practice witchcraft or use witchcraft in the churches to gain riches, fame, and large church membership and these things are ungodly.”
