My Recent Visit to South Africa

Since the mid 1980’s I’ve enjoyed frequently preaching in South Africa. Last month provided my most recent opportunity.

Jubilee Church in Cape Town, the Newfrontiers church, formerly led by Simon Pettit but now led by a fine eldership team headed by Stephen Van Rhyn, invited me to speak. On this occasion, for the first time, I not only addressed the burgeoning congregation at the huge former warehouse in Observatory but also rushed to the new site in the heart of the city led by Lex Loizides. Though they have been gathering for only a few weeks, over 270 packed into the morning meeting in the church building that they have been thoroughly restoring.

3ci Church Pretoria

The following weekend found me in Pretoria where Rory Dyer invited me to speak at 3ci church, a fast growing congregation which has baptised over 1,000 people in the last 18 months! I first addressed about 200 elders, deacons and small group leaders. Then I travelled to their student camp where another 200 were enjoying a weekend away. On the Sunday I addressed morning and evening meetings.  I regarded it a true privilege to be in this exciting church and bring a contribution which seemed greatly appreciated by those who gathered.

The following weekend, back in Cape Town, I had the joy of first speaking to the people at Jubilee’s new city site on being filled with the Holy Spirit and then on my last Sunday spoke to the lively Church On Main led by Andrew Thompson.

Wendy and I enjoyed beautiful times of relaxation with my daughter Anna, her husband Steve and our grandchildren. Such a blessing.

   

Also, I was awed to visit the Mandela statue in Pretoria; a stunning reminder of this outstanding man’s contribution to the history of this nation. We need to keep praying for South Africa where the the huge pride boasted in their former president has been replaced by considerable unrest politically, socially and economically. Here is a nation where the church can play such a key role and it is a privilege to be involved with many believers there.

Please pray on for South Africa.