Molly Bam with some of the children at Jehovah Jireh Haven.

In the little country town of Alexandria is one of the most amazing places I have ever seen: the Jehovah Jireh Haven (JJH) for unwanted children. It is run by just two private people, Molly and Neels Bam, with no government aid whatsoever. Currently they have 102 children under their tender care. They are assisted by some unpaid helpers and have no regular source of funding  to run the shelter. They have been doing this for 20 years!

Babies are delivered in shoe boxes to the couple’s compassionate doors and toddlers are taken in and cared for. Unwanted children have been brought to Molly by the Police and by the Department of Social Development. They have been assigned to her by courts, they have been dumped at the haven by uncaring or desperate parents. Some little children have event come on their own. In some instances mothers have arrived with their children to drop them off for good. No little ones have never been turned away.

A view of the haven from the street..

More than that, Molly has taken babies and children to clinics and hospital. She has arranged for schooling. She has slept under the bed of a sick and dying child in hospital, in order to be there for a frightened and lonely child. Every last child at JJH has known this love and acceptance. 

Molly explains: “The Lord God is our provider and in the last 20 years that I have been running Jehovah Jireh Haven, He has been faithful and met all our needs every single day. What a fantastic God we serve! 

“As a new child comes to live with us, I give that child a name from the Bible. So we have Noah, aged 9 with his speech impediment and Abraham who is Xhosa and Alpha, my little girl of 2 years to mention only three out of the 102 children. My husband, Neels, is a hunter, so my children never want for fresh meat. Just look how healthy they are!” 

Molly Bam with one of her babies,

Indeed it is remarkable just how the children seem to live harmoniously together on this smallholding with its collection of ‘love nests’ (small buildings) that have been added to the property over the years. If one speaks to people who have had contact with the children, they will confirm that they are disciplined and well behaved. They have learnt social skills that otherwise they would have been denied. They have a sound system of values and the ways and wisdom of God’s Holy Word are instilled in them on a daily basis. In every room stands an open bible, well-thumbed and earmarked to give the courage and inspiration it takes to survive in a tough world where your parents have abandoned you. In almost every room is the sound of praise and worship from a battered CD player or an ancient TV screen.

God’s provision to JJH over the years has included donations and building and infrastructure development projects by organisations and individuals who have been touched by the faithful children’s ministry. If this report has touched your heart and you would like to sow into the lives of the 102 children at the haven, you could call Molly Bam at 046 653 0487 or 072 587 5631, to find out how you could help. You could visit JJH if you are in range — it is about an hour’s drive from Port Elizabeth. Or you could make a once-off or regular donation to help meet constant needs such as clothing for children from 6 months to 18 years (or older), food, medicine and books. The bank details for donations are: Account name: Jehovah Jireh Haven; Standard Bank: Alexandria. Code 050817; Account number: 283943793.

Some of the children and volunteers in the outdoor play area at JJH.

A prayer rally and placard protest arranged by Africa Christian Action outside an abortion clinic in Cape Town on January 11. (PHOTO: Facebook),

South African Christian pro-life activists urge churches and Christians in SA to mark the approaching 17th anniversary of abortion-on-demand in the country by praying and participating in pickets in various parts of the country.

Since the Termination of Pregnancy Act was passed on February 1, 1997 against the will of most South Africans, more than 1,1 million babies have been legally killed in the womb in SA, says Africa Christian Action (ACA).

On January 26 (Sanctity Life Sunday) churches are encouraged to observe a solemn and serious time of repentance and prayer for the “national sin of abortion”, says ACA.

Picket actions will be held in various centres to mark the abortion anniversary. Confirmed events are:

Cape Town — Friday, January 31: ACA will hold a prayer vigil outside the gates of Parliament (at the corner of Roeland and Plein Streets, Cape Town) from 1pm to 1.30pm. A short memorial service and wreath laying ceremony will be held in memory of the babies legally killed by abortion since 1997. The ceremony will be preceeded by a solemn funeral procession to Parliament. (The procession will gather at the Kaizersgracht parking lot below the Cape Technikon and march down Darling street into Adderly street. Meet at the Kaizersgracht Street by 12:30pm.) More information is available from 021-689 4481, info@christianaction.org.za or http://www.christianaction.org.za/ or on Facebook

Bloemfontein — Saturday, February 1: Life Chain and outreach: from 10am to 12pm, outside Marie Stopes clinic, Huguenote Street, Wilgehof. More information is available from Faan Oosthuizen at 083 265 9395.

East London – Saturday, February 1: A peaceful, pro-life picket will be held from 11am to 12pm on the corner of Oxford St and St Mathew’s Rd in front of the Downtown Christian Centre. More information is available from Frans at 082 774 6649 or Lester at 083 229 7630.

Durban — Saturday, February 1 (waiting for details).

Cape Town church leader Andrew Selley has called on Christian leaders in South Africa to take urgent united action to avert a new threat to religious freedom posed by a proposed Government Bill on gender equality.

In a letter to church and ministry leaders he warns that while the intent of the ‘Woman Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill’ is commendable, its implementation will allow the State to interfere in the internal workings of religious institutions. He asks leaders to submit comments to a public hearing at Parliament on January 29 and 30, proposing that they be exempted from the application of the Bill. 

Selley, whose Joshua Generation Church (JGC) is the target of another Government attack on religious freedom — a SA Human Rights Commission (SAHRC) investigation into the church’s teaching on corporal punishment — says a stipulation in the Gender Bill that women should have at least 50% representation in decision-making structures of public and private bodies (including religious institutions) poses a significant threat to religious freedom.

Following the launch of the SAHRC probe into JGC last year Selley mobilised leaders representing some 12 million Christians to cooperate in defending religious freedom in South Africa. Drawing from that experience in which some leaders focused on their different positions on corporal punishment, rather than on the bigger issue of the churches’ right to teach Scripture according to their convictions, he urges leaders to focus on the larger principle of religious freedom despite their differences in Biblical interpretation.

Government interference threat
Spelling out the danger of the Bill in its present form, Selley says: “There is no exception in the Bill to address the freedom of individuals and religious communities. This law, should it be passed, will allow Government to influence and eventually dictate how religious institutions interpret and teach portions of Scripture, especially with regards to the governance of religious institutions and the functioning of the family unit.

“On a practical level this means that religious leaders will most likely be prohibited from teaching Ephesians 5:23, and that the husband is the head of the family. Likewise the same applies to those that believe and teach that eldership is male. Both public and private bodies will have to ensure a minimum of 50% senior leaders are female, despite possibly having contrary religious convictions, or the lack of available or suitable leadership candidates.

“Furthermore, the enforcement of this law would mean that those teaching or acting on their beliefs could face potential fines or imprisonment.

“This law may also open the door for further persecution against religious institutions by lobby groups and human rights agencies, all of whom may attack the convictions and beliefs of those religious bodies that do not align with the Bill.”

Acknowledging doctrinal differences in the Church in South Africa, he writes: “We understand that not everyone agrees in the same interpretation of Scripture. Whatever your theological position is on the various subjects touched by the Bill, it is important to note that this is again an attempt at creating a very dangerous precedent for government’s interference and control of religious institutions, as well as of family life in South Africa. The fact that the state will try to force all those who believe differently should be of great concern to all.

The larger principle
“In proceeding along this road, believers of all walks of life and differing convictions will be deprived of their freedom of association, speech and belief. Whether your particular religious body agrees with male Eldership or that the Husband is the Head of the Home, or even whether homosexuality is acceptable or not, the fact is that the Gender Equality Bill in its present form is invasive and over-reaches Government’s role in Religious and Family affairs. In this matter we ask you to not get confused or caught up in the detail, but to let us hold to the larger principle of religious freedom in South Africa.”

Selley concludes his letter to leaders by pointing out that Parliament has invited the public to email comments on the Bill for consideration in public hearings on Wednesday, January 29 and Thursday, January 30.

“We have the opportunity to not only take note of this Bill, but to propose recommendations for the Bill to be changed from its current form.

“We ask that you sign the attached letter (or your own altered version thereof) and send through your recommendation for the amendment of the Bill to redflag@joshgen.org.za ,”  he says.

Leaders are also invited to request further information from Selley via the same email address .

De Wet Swanepoel on the road with his cross. (Photo: FACEBOOK).

Cross walker De Wet Swanepoel, 38 and veteran prayer warrior and street evangelist Charles Probert, 64, reached Port Elizabeth this week after walking together for 1 000 km bearing a 4 m cross, weighing 30 kg.

De Wet Swanepoel (left) and Charles Probert, in Port Elizabeth, in front of their backup vehicle. The cross which they have lugged for 1 000km from Natal is on the vehicle.

Their unusual and eye-catching partnership in proclaiming the Gospel of Jesus on the road began after they met three months ago at a function in Harding Natal. From PE, Swanepoel will continue his cross walking mission alone.

The former Mpumalanga farmer who has trudged 7 500 km with the cross since January 2012, believes he was destined to carry a cross from an early age.

“My journey started when I was 5 years old and I was dying of meningitis. I called out to the Jesus from the ‘Jesus Mountain’ to heal me and He did,” said Swanepoel, referring to a hill near Lydenburg, where in 1965, a farmer laid out rocks to display the word ‘Jesus’.

Swanepoel explained that when he was in Std 7, he saw a man walking with a cross. The spectacle made a big impact on him. “I thought this man just walks out of love for Jesus!”

Always knew he would walk with a cross
He gave his heart to the Lord at the age of 22. But he said he always knew that he would one day walk with a cross.

“Later I met a girl who told me her father’s in ministry – he’s called but he does not have a church. She told me ‘my father is walking with a cross!’ That was the guy I met next to the road when I was in Std 7!”

The older cross walker was Gert van Niekerk, and Swanepoel ended up marrying his daughter but the marriage ended shortly thereafter.

“I had a lot to learn,” he confessed.  When he was 27 years old, Swanepoel was called to Gauteng where he ministered for seven years, in preparation, waiting for the Lord to tell him when to begin his mission.

“God spoke to me on the 6^th January 2012 when Government was holding a Centenary Service in Bloemfontein,” said Swanepoel who believes that the sacrifice of various animals at the event was a ritual that placed a curse on SA for 100 years. At the time media reported that Zuma said: “We spill the blood of these animals in the hopes that our ancestors will help us prevent spilling human blood in the future.”

Believing that the ANC animal sacrifice event was a sure sign that he needed to begin the mission God had spoken to him about 14 years earlier, Swanepoel began his journey at the foot of the ‘Jesus Mountain’ on the Long Tom Pass near Lydenburg.

“The Lord told me to intercede for our nation.” He explained. “We need to unite as the body of Christ and take back the authority given to us through Christ so that we can start winning the lost and breaking the spiritual strongholds over our country!”

Explaining how he joined up with Swanepoel after they met in Natal, Probert said:  “De Wet asked me if I would like to join him on the journey until we reach Port Elizabeth, and I first spoke to God about it before telling him that I will do it.”

Ministering for 24 years
Probert, who has has been ministering on the streets of South Africa for more than 24 years, said his mother was a prostitute in Johannesburg and he never met his father.

“When I was 8 years old, I was raped. I had this anger inside of me about it but I didn’t take it out on man,” Charles explained, “I hated God.”  Charles later gave his heart to the Lord at a meeting with Pastor Theo Wolmarans and worked through his rejection issues. “All of a sudden I had a father! God was now my father!”

In 1986, Probert moved to Durban to minister to prostitutes and drug addicts. “We would first walk and pray and then evangelise. We first plough the ground and then we sow the seed.” Prayer walking and evangelism has been Charles’s heart passion ever since. He started prayer walking alone through the country in 1990, until his chance meeting with Swanepoel.

Young men near Port Alfred who responded to Christ through the ministry of the cross walkers. The men had recently undergone circumcision rituals.

Probert has shared several posts on Facebook about lives that have been touched during their cross walk. Just outside Grahamstown they were able to minister to men in a rehabilitation centre. Near Port Alfred they ministered to a group of young men who had just been through circumcision rituals; the men accepted Jesus into their lives

Swanepoel said he does spiritual warfare and intercession as he makes his way across the country with his cross.

He said he waits on God to show him when and where to walk. He has a backup vehicle for logistical support. He also experiences kindness and support from communities along the way.

Pastor Danie Slabbert.

Memorial services for revivalist Pastor Danie Slabbert, 46, who died after a heart attack on Sunday (January 19) will be held in Cape Town on Monday, January 27, and in Port Elizabeth on Saturday, February 1, his wife, Pastor Odette Slabbert announced yesterday.

Slabbert’s life will be celebrated in his former home town, Port Elizabeth, at a special service dubbed “Ps Danie Slabbert’s Final Crusade” at Word of Faith Christian Centre. The service will include his ‘final sermon’ comprising various video clips of his best and favourite messages. The memorial celebration DVD will be available at the church after the service.

The memorial service in Cape Town will be at the Good Hope Christian Centre. Both services are expected to be packed with friends, followers and loved ones from all over South Africa.

Slabbert passed away on Sunday morning shortly after ministering live on TBN at The River Church, East London. Pastor Odette initially called for intercessors to join her and their spiritual family as they prayed for her husband’s resurrection. But the prayer campaign was called off two days later after his family and loved ones felt at peace that  he was “in his element, the glory of God, and does not want to come back”.

The service details are:

Monday, January 27 @ 12pm
Good Hope Christian Centre
Cnr. Panton and Plantation Rd,
Ottery, Cape Town.

Saturday, February 1 @12pm
Word of Faith Christian Centre
Cnr William Moffett and Lily Street,
Mangold Park, Port Elizabeth.

Originally published in ioL News

A North West man is claiming R250 million from Eskom for preventing power cuts through his own prayers, Beeld newspaper reported today (Wednesday, January 22).

Nelson Thabo Modupe, of Lichtenburg, has argued that he prevented power cuts during the 2010 Soccer World Cup through his prayers.

He is a member of the Zion Christian Church.

In a letter to Eskom, he said the main reason for load-shedding was lightning and wind, and that he had taken it upon himself to pray to God and ask that no power cuts take place.

As a result, Eskom now owes him R250m, because he saved the power utility the burden and humiliation of load shedding.

Alternatively, Eskom can offer him a partnership in the company.

The claim has been placed on the court roll in the North West High Court for tomorrow (Thursday, January 23).

Pastor Danie Slabbert and his wife, Odette.

Pastor Danie Slabbert, renowned South African revivalist and pastor of The River Church Cape Town passed away yesterday morning after ministering live at a TBN recording at The River Church East London.

According to Pastors Andre and Jenny Roebert, founders and senior Pastors of The River Church Ministries, hundreds of people had given their lives to the Lord during the live broadcast service minutes before he collapsed in the pastors lounge, suffering from what appears to be a heart attack.

The church leader’s wife, Pastor Odette Hayward Slabbert, originally responded by calling together an army of intercessors to pray for her beloved husband’s resurrection. However, late this afternoon, Leon du Preez, founder of Encounter Ministries International, announced that after two days of fervent prayer, the family is at peace that ‘Dr Danie is in his element, the glory of God, and does not want to come back’.

Du Preez’ statement, posted on Facebook, reads: ”We would just like to inform everyone that Dr Danie Slabbert passed on to be with the Lord yesterday morning. His family and spiritual sons were praying fervently for two days and experienced a tremendous anointing and presence of God, unlike felt before, but Gods peace entered into the room today and assured his family and loved ones that Dr Danie is in his element, the glory of God, and does not want to come back. He was a father of revival in this nation, and all that knew him, knew that he ran flat out with the torch of fire in one hand and the harvester sickle in the other, and did the work of 10 people at once! He surely received many many rewards in heaven. His legacy and work in this nation and around the world will reverberate and will be carried on through his family, his sons and those he raised up! We would like to thank EVERYONE involved, from prayers, to phone calls, to your love and support, those who flew in and drove in. Your presence was surely felt. We would like to thank you from the bottom of our hearts! This is a time to celebrate the life of one who gave his all for the Kingdom, the Power and the Glory! The information on the celebration/memorial service will be advertised soon. We love u all!”

In a facebook post after landing in East London yesterday, Pastor Odette posted a message on Facebook calling for prayer for her husband’s resurrection. Her message reads: “We rule through Christ over death and hell! We need to bind that spirit of death and hell and call Danie back! God does not take his children by attacks… God can protect and resurrect but someone must exercise that authority.”

She also urged everyone to continue to pray resurrection prayers as the family and spiritual sons pray over his body in the morgue. Churches, friends and followers united across the country and many committed themselves to pray throughout the night with the hope of raise the pastor back to life. Many supporters left messages of faith on the pastor’s Face Book wall declaring life into his body, refusing to accept his death. Friends of the family even asked that messages of condolences and sympathy be ceased and encouraged everyone to rather stand in agreement that he will be raised from the dead.

In an earlier post today, Pastor Odette called on family, friends and colleagues to stand in agreement with a group that was going to  pray at 10am today for Slabbert’s resurrection. She also asked for prayer for their daughters, Adonia, and Amarissa, 7, Pastor Danie Slabbert was ordained under Revival Ministries International and received his Honorary Doctorate in Divinity from The River Bible Institute. He came to know the fire of God during a revival meeting with Dr Rodney Howard-Brown at Word of Faith Christian Centre in Port Elizabeth in 1990. Pastor Slabbert was also the Director and Founder of Glory Invasion Ministries based in Cape Town, South Africa.

PHOTO: 24-7PrayerClock

Election Prayer Strategy launch in PE

It is vital that South African Christians pray strategically for the upcoming elections in order to counter a strong witchcraft influence that manipulates the minds of voters, said Pastor Laurette Mkati who is in Port Elizabeth to launch the Election Prayer Strategy of the SA Prayer Movement For Change (SAPMG).

The Election Prayer Strategy launch and prayer training in PE on Friday and Saturday is part of a rollout campaign that has started in the Eastern Cape and will later be extended to main centres in other provinces, she said in an interview today. Prayer for a righteous leader is a key focus of the strategy, she said.

In a report on the SAPMG Conference in November 2013, she says: “We have entered 2014 as a nation knowing that not only is it a new year but it is a new season for us also. The passing of Nelson Mandela has awoken us as a nation to understand that the vision of the new South Africa, a rainbow nation with a better life for all South Africans is far from a reality. It is obvious that there is a major leadership problem in our current government.

“As we enter the third decade of this new democracy, we must be sober in our minds and consider what we truly want for our nation. Currently we are following in the same path as other African nations after their independence, with nepotism and corruption being at the forefront with an ever increasing level of violence. However, 2014, as a year of national elections gives us an opportunity to turn the tide and stop the fall.

“The prayers we will pray up to this election are as vital as those that were prayed in 1994. In that season there was fasting and prayer by the church all over the continent and even the world, and we saw the result it brought although God never got the glory He deserved for this miracle in answer to prayer. This year it is not the rest of the continent or the world who must fast and pray, but the church of South Africa itself and we are asking you to enter in partnership with us in this matter, to assist us not only in prayer but in mobilizing prayer in all nine provinces.”

The SAPMG’s election prayer plan is spelled out in a prayer strategy document and a prayer guide prepared by Pastor Segun Olanipekun of the Insitute of Christian Leadership Deveopment (ICLD). The strategy includes daily proclamantions over the nation; keeping regular strategic watches; raising of altars; and prayer for a righteous leader to lead the nation.

“We will continually update this [the prayer strategy and guides] as time goes on. Other prayer networks will be doing likewise and we urge you to embrace the spirit of unity we have in Christ across racial and denominational barriers. Be a runner for God’s kingdom advancement in our nation,” concludes the conference report.

The prayer training and launch of the election prayer strategy in PE on Friday (17:30 to 20:30) and Saturday (10:00 to 15:00) will take place at the Good News Community Church at 38 Stofile Street, Kwazakhele, close to Wolfson’s Stadium. The Friday programme is ‘Understanding the Season and Praying into it’, and on Saturday there will be teaching on strategic prayer and practical prayer. More information on the event can be obtained by calling Nosiphiwo at 076 836 3770.

Cedric Davids with his wife, Valene, and daughters, Tyra (left) and Chesne.

“I was trapped in a world of drugs, darkness, loneliness and despair.  Jesus rescued me and restored me and gave me a new, successful life with my family,” said  Cedric Davids.

Today he is grateful to God for the blessed life that he enjoys with his wife Valene and daughters Chesne and Tyra.

Davids grew up in Parkwood, a sub-economic area near Cape Town.  He was born into a Muslim family and was given the name Sedick at birth.

During his childhood years he was exposed to gangsterism and violence. Even after his family moved to Mitchell’s Plain, life remained very difficult for him.

“My mom lost her job and became a prostitute. This caused me to build a lot of hatred against people, especially my mom, as I was constantly teased about this.” said Davids. 

At the age of 14, Davids started dealing in and buying firearms and he soon learnt how to dismantle and fire them. In 2004 he and Valene were married. Despite having one child and another on the way at the time of the marriage, he started selling ‘tik’ and became a drug addict. 

“Because of my drug addiction, I eventually lost my family and self-respect.  I was no longer a ‘partner’ in the drug dealing business, but I became a ‘guard’ (like a runner) and I sold to all races, from gangsters to rich folk, “ said Davids. 

The drug addiction caused Davids to become violent and inflict serious physical harm on a number of people. That was the life he was forced to live in order to survive in his dark, underworld of crime and corruption. 

Davids recalls the time when things started to change in his life.

“The turning point for me was when my wife committed her life to Christ and I started feeling uncomfortable with my lifestyle”.  

In 2007 he joined a faith-based programme called Victory Outreach, but never remained in the programme long enough because of his uncertainty as to whether it would work for him.

“I then went to Hope Again Recovery Home on weekends, but still wanted to do things my way”. 

Davids stopped using drugs for a month, but then had a relapse. He relapsed for more than a year and finally got tired of the life he was living. 

Immediately delivered from drug addiction
On September 4, 2008, Davids committed his life to Christ and said that he was immediately delivered from his drug addiction. He explained that he didn’t continue with any programme, but with God’s help and the support of his family and mentor and spiritual father, Pastor Alfonso Schilder, he remained ‘clean’ from drugs. 

“It was at this stage that I started connecting with the men at our Church and developed a close relationship with a young man, named Isadore, whose story was similar to mine”, said Davids. 

Davids explained that God started using him to minister to drug addicts. He started assisting the team at Hope Again Recovery Home, where he started to minister to and help the very men who used to buy drugs from him. 

It was in 2008 that his mother, Suzanne Davids, also committed her life to Christ and today she is still serving the Lord. 

Currently, Davids serves on the leadership team at his church, Mount Hope Kingdom Life Christian Church, where Hope Again Recovery Home is based.  

“Today, 5 years after committing my life to Christ, I am reconciled with my family by the Grace of God,” Davids remarked with great excitement. 

He said that God not only helped him to find a full-time job as an office cleaner but opened new promotional opportunities for him, in an amazing way. 

“After starting as an office cleaner at my company, I got promoted to creditors clerk, two years later. My office I now occupy as a creditors clerk is the very office I used to clean. God helped us as a family to purchase a house and a car. These were achievements I never thought possible a few years ago. All this was only possible because of the faithfulness of Jesus Christ,” said Davids. 

Davids says that his love for the Lord grows stronger day by day. The Gospel, he says, has changed his life and that’s what he wants people to know. One of his favourite verses is Romans 1:16:  – For I am unashamed of the Gospel, for it is the Power of God for the Salvation of everyone who believes.” 

His greatest wish is to write a book about his life story and tell the world what Christ has done for him and his family. 

Lwando Mhluzi. View a VIDEO CLIP below of his amazing speech. He needs support to reach his dream.

Proverbs 18:16 says “A man’s gift makes room for him and brings him before great men.”

Meet Lwando Mhluzi, a 16-year old student at Fountain of Life Christian School in Uitenhage. This young man has a passion for the Word of God, and has an oratory gift that will still take him far.

His dream is to become an English lecturer, and also to proclaim the Word of God wherever he goes.

In September last year he participated in the All Africa Student Convention in Bloemfontein -  a premier event where high school students from across South Africa and Africa compete in sports, academic events, fine arts and platform arts — delivering Dr Martin Luther King Jr’s famous ‘I Have a Dream’-speech.

After giving a command performance at an evening rally at the Student Convention, he received a standing ovation, where 2 000 people applauded his delivery. He won the first place in this event and was nominated to represent South Africa at the International Student Convention in the USA in May this year.

Asking him why he chose this specific famous speech, he said he listened to King’s speech on YouTube and it spoke to him. Understanding the conditions in America in 1963, and how profound and powerful his words were and reached people then, and even now, and how they are applicable to South Africans who went through the same struggle as “Americans of colour”, he decided to emulate this great man.

Lwando’s speech, delivered at the All Africa Student Convention, can be seen on YouTube . below: 

The International Student Convention will take place at the University of Pennsylvania in the USA in May, and students have to raise R53 000 to attend.

Raised by a single mom with a granny paying his school fees, going to the USA seems impossible to Lwando at this stage. He has received R 16 000 in sponsorships, but has a long way to go to reach the payment deadline of March 7.

If any readers could assist with sponsorships – any amount will help! – they can contact his School Principal, Desireé Joubert, at principal@folcs.co.za.

In closing, asking Lwando what this opportunity to perform has meant to him, and what he would like to say to other high school students, he said: “It has been awesome to see how God has used me, to experience His favour upon me. I have found talents I wasn’t aware of, and now have clarity in what I want to do with my life. And, I would like to encourage other students to listen to the calling and voice of God. Don’t just do things for sake of doing them, but be passionate about your dreams. Allow God to direct you. And finally, delight yourself in the Lord and he will give you the desires of your heart.”

Angus  Buchan is leading a prayer meeting in Bloemfontein today (January 31) for rain and for Bloemfontein teacher, Pierre Korkie, who is being held hostage by Al Qaeda terrorists in Yemen.

The meeting was arranged after Buchan’s national representative contacted committee members in Bloemfontein  last week on the farmer evangeist’s earnest request. Buchan conveyed that he feels a need to pray for farmers in this time of drought and specifically to come to Bloemfontein to pray.  Pierre Korkie and his family are also on the prayer list for the event.

The meeting was at first planned to be held on the rugby field at Grey College. However, the venue was changed after some rain made the grass too wet. The gathering will now be held in the CRC auditorium.

“God, in His love for us, has already answered our prayer because of our desire to come to Him as His people; to seek His forgiveness for many political, spiritual and moral mistakes.  As God has shown us that He is the Rainmaker and He does love us, it is our turn to show Him our thankfulness and love. I feel even more strongly that this meeting must take place, “ says Buchan in a press release on this event released on Wednesday. 

Organisers in Bloemfontein say that by Wednesday there were already 2 000 tickets booked for the event. Although admission is free, people who want to attend must obtain a ticket to help the organisers know how many people to expect. Free State Agriculture  and many other people and organisations promoted the prayer meeting.  Different people helped to plan and execute this event, many of them from a committee that arranged Buchan’s  prayer meeting at the Free State Stadium in 2009.

Organisers believe the event can contribute to uniting people in Bloemfontein in prayer. Believers from different churches praying and praising the Lord will glorify His name, they say.  Praying together can help Buchan’s favourite Scripture promise be fulfilled:  “If My People who are called by My Name will humble themselves, and pray and seek My face, and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from Heaven, and I will forgive their sin and heal their land.” 2 Chronicles 7 vs 14

Keontse Selesanyeng,33, refused to pay a bribe to pass her driver’s license.  Selesanyeng had an appointment to be tested for her driver’s license. Upon arrival a personnel member suggested she pay a bribe to pass her test. Although she desperately needed the license to do her work, she decided not to pay. “I will pray and trust in the Lord” she confessed to the personnel member.  She passed her driver’s license!

Selesanyeng works in Bloemfontein for “Employers for Christ”.  Telling people every day to obey God, what kind of example would she set by paying the bribe?  There is so much corruption in South Africa. Paying a bribe to pass a driver’s license would only promote that.  Many young people yield to the temptation of corruption under the pressure of unemployment, says Selesanyeng.

Working for “Employers for Christ” gives her the opportunity to visit people at work to bring the Gospel of Christ. Many of these people do not have enough opportunities to go to church. Ministering to them at their places of work gives Selesanyeng an opportunity to strengthen them in their faith. Getting her license gave her an opportunity to continue with this uplifting work.

Selesanyeng received a diploma in Biblical studies from the Bethesda Biblical College in Durban. She does not only bring messages of hope to people, but is sometimes also involved in counselling people in need. “Prayer is very important. Talk about everything to God. Cast your troubles unto Him. He will carry the burden,” encourages Selesanyeng.

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Parliament.

Controversial new draft legislation, named the Women Empowerment and Gender Equality Bill, was considered at public hearings at Parliament on Wednesday, January 28 and Thursday, January 30, 2014. The Bill, amongst other things, prescribes a minimum quota of 50% female representation in decision-making structures, and gives the Minister wide powers to enforce compliance.

In the ACDP’s Media Statement on January 28, 2014, Cherylynn Dudley, MP of the ACDP, expressed concern that the Bill will do more harm than good. “This does not strengthen democracy when it effectively interferes with freedom of choice and dictates on grounds of gender”, she stated.

FOR SA, a new organisation standing for “Freedom of Religion in South Africa” and pioneered by Cape Town church leader Andrew Selley, addressed Parliament on the threat that the Bill poses to individuals’ freedom of belief, as well as to the Church’s autonomy to govern its own affairs in accordance with its interpretation of the Bible.

FOR SA contended that the Minister’s power to decide to whom the Act will apply, is too wide and therefore unconstitutional. It contended further that Churches and religious / charitable organisations should be specifically excluded from the Act.

A FOR SA spokesperson and an Advocate of the High Court of South Africa, Nadene Badenhorst stated: “As an organisation and as Christians, FOR SA is for women and unequivocally believes that the dignity, value and capabilities of women equal that of their male counterparts and are therefore equally worthy of respect, protection and promotion. As such, FOR SA commends the intent of the Bill and welcomes the efforts to liberate and strengthen the hands of women in society in broad.”

FOR SA’s concern however is that, while the Bill may eliminate discrimination against a certain category of women (those who see leadership as a worthy pursuit), it discriminates against other women (whose biblical conviction may be that headship – at home as in the Church – is carried by men). “While one freedom (gender equality) is won, another important freedom (freedom of choice, which includes freedom of religion, thought and belief) is lost,” says Badenhorst.

Thought control
“By seeking to legislate values based on its value system and interpretation of the Bible, the State is dictating what people should believe or not believe. This is a degree of thought control, which can never be justified,” she told Parliament.

Selley, who heads up FOR SA, believes that the Bill also allows the State to interfere with the autonomy of the Church to govern its own affairs according to its interpretation of the Bible. The ramifications of this for the Church is that churches and/or religious organisations who teach and practice beliefs that are seen to be discriminatory against women, may be forced to choose between adhering to their faith or obeying the law. For these reasons, FOR SA believes that the Bill is open to constitutional challenge.

In her conclusion, Badenhorst reminded Parliament that our Constitution entrenches freedom of religion as a fundamental right, and implored Parliament “not to pass laws that will bring about freedom from religion, thereby undermining and destroying one of the hallmarks of a free and open society.”

Other interest groups present at the hearing, condemned the perceived “patriarchal attitudes and practices that still permeate our society, including our homes and our Churches”, with some groups calling that Churches and religious organisations be specifically included in the Act.

Many interest groups pointed out other problems with the Bill, including that there is existing legislation with the same objectives; the additional administrative and financial burden that it will place on companies and organisations; and the major cost involved in implementing and monitoring the Act – all for the taxpayer’s account. Following the hearings, the Portfolio Committee will deliberate on the Bill and on the way forward.

Victor Lemmer, the ‘new kid on the block’ who has been entrusted with hosting the MMC Joburg from March 7 to 9. With him is his supportive wife, Sharon.

Faith, expectancy and amazing testimony in countdown to MMC

Victor Lemmer, 37, has never been to a Mighty Men Conference (MMC) and has only been a Christian for three years but he will be hosting the first Johannesburg MMC in five weeks time — with the full blessing of Mighty Men founder Angus Buchan and the hands-on assistance of key members of the team that have done a great job of running the Karoo Mighty Men since 2011.

The MMC Joburg is taking place on a spacious site in the Eikenhof area south of Johannesburg from Friday, March 7 to Sunday March 9 and includes a seasoned lineup of speakers in Danie Botha, Afrika Mhlophe, Francois du Toit and Franna Benade. The event will have “an evangelistic focus similar to Oom Angus’s original vision”, said Lemmer.

“I do believe that we will be harvesting souls for Jesus on this weekend, but my focus will be on what will happen afterwards. We want to get most of the churches involved to be able to take the responsibility for the newborn Christians. My biggest fear is to win souls and lose them again because there is no support after the Mighty Men event.”

So how did Lemmer get the approval of Buchan who still sets stringent standards for the MMC event that he pioneered on his KZN farm for seven years, despite handing the baton over to his ‘spiritual sons’ in 2010, when he instructed them to hold regional MMCs throughout South Africa from 2011?

Lemmer’s testimony is remarkable.

‘Ordinary guy’
“I have always been that ordinary guy that works for a living, watches rugby on Saturdays and had a few drinks (sometimes too many) with good friends. I worked as a business and financial advisor for a few years, but in 2008 the change in the economy, things went bad and we lost just about everything. Our house was sold on auction, we lost vehicles and for three years I could not find a job. I never blamed God for I did not know Him,” he explains.

He says he previously believed that God watched from heaven and kept a tally of people’s good and bad deeds which determined their eternal destiny. But that view was to change.

“About 3 years ago the Lord spoke to me (which I thought was only possible if your name was Moses and you have a burning bush in your yard) and I decided to give my life to Him and serve my Father in Heaven. I have a beautiful, wonderful wife Sharon, who stood by me through all of this and two gorgeous kids, my daughter Danika, 12 and son Zandre, 9.”

Lemmer says that in April 2012 he received a word from God that he should host a camp for men. He started arranging an event, thinking that 25 to 50 men would be a big event. But at a church service in May he got a word from God through Marc Bredenkamp who said: “The Spirit of the Lord said that you are busy arranging something for Him – you got to go bigger.”

He started planning for an event for 500 men but subsequently received a call from Bredenkamp who said he was not listening to the Lord and should go bigger.

‘You are the right person’
At the persistent urging of a friend, he contacted Buchan in March 2013. In May, he received a call from Buchan’s daughter, Jilly, who said he should come to the family farm as her father “has prayed about this and God showed him that you are the right person”.

“I met with him on the 8th July 2013 and he handed over the baton to me,” said Lemmer who says the MMC Joburg will become an annual event.

Lemmer and his team of speakers paid a visit to Buchan on his farm, Shalom, earlier this week, as part of the preparation for the approaching MMC. Buchan will not be attending any MMC events in South Africa this year as he recognises a need to spend more time with his family. His ministry calling in this season takes him to the United States and Israel.

Lemmer said funding is the biggest challenge currently facing the MMC Joburg organisers.

“But we know that God is in control. I must say that without the help of the Karoo MMC guys we would have had a much more difficult time. I want to thank Izak and Ruthi for all their efforts and assistance throughout this whole run up to this event. There are just a few loose ends that we still need to tie up, but I believe that through Him nothing is impossible.”

Entrance tickets to the MMC Joburg cost R250 and can be purchased through iTickets. More information about the event is available on the website and Facebook page.

The campsite on plot 151, Alewynspoort in the Eikenhof area, about 15 min drive south ofJohannesburg offers camping facilities for up to 10 000 men and there is space for 25 000 men to attend the conference.

“The capacity is 50 000, but we must reserve space for the family to attend on the Sunday,” said Lemmer.

Archdeacon Zweli Tom.

The pass rate at a school in New Brighton, Port Elizabeth has nearly doubled — from 38% to 75% — since it was adopted by a nearby church in 2010.

The successful partnership between Cowan High School and St Stephen’s Anglican Church was celebrated on Sunday (February 2, 2014) at the annual Educational Service, which was addressed by former Gauteng education MEC, Professor Mary Metcalfe.

The church stepped in to help in 2010 in response to an appeal by the Eastern Cape Department of Education for churches to intervene in the educational crisis by “adopting” schools and engaging proactively with parents, learners and teachers in their congregations with a view to promoting a culture of diligence and parental participation. The pass rate rose to 48% in 2011, 73% in 2012 and 74.44% in 2013.

In her address Metcalfe said the church and the school could be proud of their achievements in a province which still has a long way to go to achieve quality education for all.

St Stephen’s Archdeacon Zweli Tom who led the Educational Service said: “We felt called by God to adopt Cowan High School in 2010, and since then the partnership has flourished,” reports The Herald newspaper.

Tom said that the standard of results at the school has also approved.

“We now have more Bs and Ds than anything else.”

As a result of the partnership, the church also started a scholarship to send a needy pupil identified by the school to university, reports The Herald. Babalwa Mpolongwana was the bursary recipient on Sunday.

Hope for Kids witnessing tool for children to reach their friends with the Gospel of Jesus.

Christian leaders with a heart for young people will be equipped to share the Gospel with children and to teach them to share it with others during Hope for Kids workshops in Port Elizabeth from February 14 to February 18.

Co-facilitator, Paul Clough, who is behind a vibrant schools’ prayer walk movement in the city, said he believes that “God has something HUGE in store for our schools this year” and that the Hope for Kids programme is an integral part of God’s plan for 2014. He called on children’s church leaders, youth pastors, church leaders and teachers to attend the workshops. Separate workshops will be presented in English, Afrikaans and Xhosa.

Hope for Kids, a division of Evangelism Explosion, has equipped more than 26 000 children (9 to 11-years age group) to share the Good News of Jesus Christ over the past few years. The training is offered throughout South Africa.

Dominee Jan Coetzee, fellow facilitator of the PE Hope for workshops said he believes that the programme will play a role in changing the attitude and morality of scholars and that it can change a child’s life forever.

“This is a great opportunity and we want to make it possible for every school and church to become a part of it,” he said. “Hope for Kids has had such a positive influence in schools and churches.”

Delegates at Hope for Kids workshops receive free Teachers’ manuals upon completion. The manuals contain 12 planned lessons.Each lesson comprises a lesson plan, goal illustrations, songs, crafts and dramas, designed to raise young evangelists. Children who undergo Hope for Kids equipping receive free, colourful activity books, as well as a Pathway to Hope booklet which encourages and teaches them how to communicate the Good News of Jesus.

The PE training sessions from February 14 to 18 cost R300 per person and include refreshments and training material. More information is available from Coetzee at 041 360 65673 or 072 320 2844, or from Clough at 073 478 9281.

The Xhosa workshop will be at the Dutch Reformed Church Port Elizabeth (Moedergemeente) – corner of Kirkwood- and Geard Street, North End. The English workshop will be at the Word of Faith Christian Centree, Corner of William Moffat Expressway and Lilly Avenue, Walmer Downs, and the Afrikaans workshop will be at the Dutch Reformed Church, PE Heideveld in Rowallan Park. The time schedule is: Friday 18h00 to 21h00; Saturday 08h00 to 17h00; Sunday 14h00 to 17h30; Monday and Tuesday 18h00 to 21h00.

Rev Jospeh Pali (left) and Dr Willem Fourie.

This year our South African democracy is 20 years old. How free and democratic is our society? Reflecting theologically on democracy and freedom, different views were expressed at the UFS Faculty of Theology’s theological day on the topic.

On the one hand Dr Willem Fourie, University of Pretoria, stated Malema was not radical enough. On the other hand Rev Joseph Pali, University of the Free State, pointed to the ill legacies African leaders have inherited in South Africa. Both were guest speakers at the event.

“Malema has a point when he talks about freedom and it sounds radical, but is he radical enough?” asked Fourie, ethics lecturer from the University of Pretoria. Julius Malema, currently in his role as leader of the Economic Freedom Fighters, continues to be one of the most outspoken proponents of a comprehensive understanding of freedom in South Africa. “However, I argue that he is mistaken in his assumption that the attainment of economic freedom will solve South Africa’s challenges. Freedom requires moral agency for its constructive realisation and faculties of theology and religious communities are some of the most important places where moral agency can be developed”, says Fourie.

People must be liberated from the idea that their worth is measured by economic worth. In the moral resources of all communities there are elements that can be helpful. Communities can unite around the challenges they share. 

Pali, lecturer in Practical Theology at the University of the Free State, emphasised that democracy is not a destination but a new way of life; a truth to be cared for. Unfortunately African leadership has inherited some negative aspects from the legacy of colonialism, slavery and apartheid: lack of respect, cultural divisions and a dependency on help. This will take time to change.

After the first democratic elections many religious leaders felt they could now return to doing “church work”. However, the church must still interact with government. The church should be critical of all political systems with a loyalty only to God, said Pali.

Said ANC Western Cape chairman Marius Fransman: “For us there is an important role [for the church]. We joined the struggle through our involvement with the church. (Times Live File photo – Image by: SHELLEY CHRISTIANS)

The ANC tried to lure churchmen into its ranks at a meeting with more than 200 pastors yesterday – only to be cast out.

Said ANC Western Cape chairman Marius Fransman: “For us there is an important role [for the church]. We joined the struggle through our involvement with the church.

“As people we understood that we cannot talk about the struggle in the absence of the church. We cannot speak about bettering the lives of our people without involving the church.”

Former African Christian Democrat Party MP Wesley Douglas, who joined the ANC last year, said there would be numerous opportunities for ACDP members who signed up with the ANC.

“We are going to host an annual pastors’ conference at which we will invite speakers like TD Jakes and Myles Munroe.

“There will be an opportunity for pastors to interact with government departments,” said Douglas.

Fransman reminded the pastors that the ANC had been formed in a Bloemfontein church in 1912.

The ANC leadership is hoping that, by reaching out to churches and to the faithful, it will be able to reverse its electoral fortunes in Western Cape.

Since it lost control of Cape Town to a DA-led coalition in 2006, the ANC has steadily lost support in the province.

Yesterday’s meeting was called by the Western Cape Pastors’ Forum, a body for the province’s Christian clerics, to give them an opportunity to debate with the ANC’s top brass .

But the invitation, which more than 200 pastors accepted, backfired.

Asked in a show of hands whether they would join the ANC, more than half of the pastors folded their arms.

Cape Flats pastor Ivan Jones said he would not encourage his congregants to vote for the ANC.

He described the party’s policies as “un-Godly”.

“What the ANC believes, and what it stands for, is against my principles,” he said.

“I’d rather encourage my congregants to vote for a party that stands for biblical truth,” said Jones.

Said Mitchell’s Plain pastor Oscar Bougardt: “This is a ploy! They’re trying to get as many pastors as possible.

“If they get the pastors, they get the congregations. I expected that we would be allowed to ask questions.

“They claim to be Christians but they are killing 89000 people [a year] through abortions,” said an angry Bougardt.

Doug Spada, Co-author of “Monday Morning Atheist – Why we switch God off at work and how you fix it” will be in South Africa next month to help people who want to find out how to take Christ into the workplace.

Spada, who founded the ministry, Worklife, after a career as a nuclear engineer in the US military, an operator of fast attack submarines, and owner of an energy consulting firm, will be sharing his experience in Cape Town, Port Elizabeth and Johannesburg.

He will be one of the keynote speakers at the Unashamedly Ethical (UE) Marketplace Conference at Lord Charles Hotel, Somerset West on March 7.

During his Port Elizabeth visit from March 13 to March 16 he will be the speaker at a WorkLife ministry breakfast at Harvest Christian Church on Saturday, March 15. He will also participate in other events in the city to equip people and churches to combat the sacred-secular divide. He was invited to the city by a church which has been relating to his ministry for some years. The events will benefit people in any sphere of work as well as stay-at-home moms or dads, said Mike Smith, coordinator of Transformation Christian Network’s Worklife Ministry. More information is available from Denise at TCN’s offices (041) 581 5726, at info@tcn.org.za or from Smith at mike@workplacementor.co.za.

Information about the Johannesburg leg of Spada’s visit can be obtained from Patrick Kuwana, founder of Crossover Transformation Group at 082 333 7989. Kuwana is also one of the keynote speakers at the UE Marketplace Conference.

Yolandé Korkie and her children, Pieter-Ben (16) and Lize-Marie (14), praying with Angus Buchan last Friday, for the release of her husband, Pierre. (PHOTO: Dirk Kok, OFM )

Call for prayers of faith for kidnapped teacher

As Saturday’s ransom deadline looms over the family of Al Qaeda hostage, Pierre Korkie, farmer-evangelist Angus Buchan said today that he continues to trust God to deliver him.

“We continue to thank God for His divine hand over the Korkie Family, and trust for Pierre’s miraculous release. Often the clouds become darker just before the life giving rain falls,” he said in an interview, six days after he prayed with Korkie’s wife, Yolande, and their children, Pieter-Ben, 16, and Lize-Marie, 15, at a mass prayer rally in Bloemfontein. He called on Christians to keep on praying for Pierre and his family.

Pierre Korkie

Yolande Korkie has made an appeal on video to Al Qaeda to show compassion and release her ailing husband, reports Times Live. The couple were kidnapped in Yemen eight months ago. Yolande was released last month following the intervention of Gift of the Givers. However the kidnappers have threatened to kill Bloemfontein teacher, Pierre, if they are not paid R32-million ransom by Saturday. In her video appeal, Yolande assures Al Qaeda that the South African government did not pay any ransom money, and that Anas al-Hamati (negotiator in Yemen) from Gift of the Givers, did not receive any money.

Buchan said yesterday that he has been in contact with Yolande since the prayer day at the CRC auditorium in Bloemfontein last Friday (January, 31).

“She is a Godly Woman with incredible faith and She stands on God’s Word and His promises. We believe, by faith, that Pierre will be released!” he said.

Buchan said he was deeply touched by the thousands of men, women and schoolchildren who participated in the Bloemfontein prayer meeting for the Korkie family and for rain in drought-stricken regions of the country. God answered the prayer for rain even before the meeting began and he would answer the prayers for the Korkie family, he said.

Urging Christians to keep the family in prayer he said: “Remember that God does not answer prayer; He answers the prayer of faith. There is a big difference.” He urged Christians to take seriously God’s promises in 2 Chronicles 7:14 (Then if my people who are called by my name will humble themselves and pray and seek my face and turn from their wicked ways, I will hear from heaven and will forgive their sins and restore their land.)

He said that since it began raining just before God’s people committed themselves to come to Him in prayer last week, he has received reports of abundant rain in the western parts of the country and a Vryburg farmer sent him photos in which his formerly arid farm looks like a lake.

Buchan said he is now earnestly seeking God’s will on a plea from an Australian farmer for him to travel there to pray for an end to a long and devastating drought in the northern and central region which is causing farmers to slaughter their cattle and even commit suicide. He said his year is already fully booked with commitments in the United States, Brasil, the United Kingdom and Israel. But as a farmer his heart goes out to the suffering farmers in Australia where he has led Mighty Men Conferences in the past. He asked for fellow Christians to join him in seeking God’s will on the Australian request.