We focus our prayers this week on Houtkruis Bybelkerk in South Africa, where Frank de Wet serves as pastor-teacher. Here is how you can pray for the church:
Petition
- Pray for the wisdom and ability to shepherd the growing number of members. The church is especially excited by the number of young men who have started attending, who are hungry to know God and to grow spiritually.
- Pray that God will use the leadership training to raise up more men to help lead Houtkruis. The church is starting a second round of leadership training with a wider number of men to see who God will raise up as leaders for the church.
- Pray for Ben Horn who is studying at Shepherd’s Seminary, whom God is raising up as a future pastor. Pray that he will continue to grow and be faithful at his work, studies and ministry in the church. Pray for a future church plant or revitalisation opportunity for him and his family.
- Pray that the church will be able to reach out more to the University students who go to class on the property where the church gathers on Sundays. Next year is the last year they will be at the location as Akademia (Afrikaans University) is busy building a new campus east of Pretoria and therefore, in 2028, the students will move away. The church has been assigned to Huis Dahlia (a Ladies hostel). Akademia has set up the Bible study’s times and locations. There is a Bible study with the hostel every second Monday evening during the semester. Pray for the salvation of these students. Most of them profess Christ, but many, even most, are only cultural “Christians.” The church also has its own student Bible study, which meets weekly but not on campus. This study has been a joy. There are currently about eight students who are a part of this group.
- Pray for the church’s possible future meeting place problem. The church is currently renting from Akademia, who have a long term lease agreement with the owners of the property. But Akademia is moving to a new campus in 2028, and then the church will need to rent directly from the owners. The owners are happy to rent to the church, but also want to sell the property. The church, which only rents the hall, cannot purchase the entire property.
- Pray that the church’s continued preaching through Ephesians will be fruitful, that some (especially the children in church) will be saved, and that the church will grow in love for God and for each other.
- Pray for a number of single moms and older single women in the church. Some have lost a husband due to an accident, others due to divorce (before they came to the church). Pray that the leaders and church will know how to help and support them and how to fill up the gaps that the absence of a husband/father causes.
Petition
- Praise God that the church’s relationship with the landlord (Akademia University) is good. They have been very accommodating to the requests made of them. Pray for the relationship with the future landlord.
- Praise God for the provision of the church over the last few years, which has greatly exceeded expectations.
- Praise God for the unity in the church’s leadership. Pray that this will continue.
Thank you for your prayers.
In Christ,
Frank de Wet