Ministry News: Nelspruit Bible Church (South Africa) (September 2026)

Dear friends, Find below the latest ministry news from Nelspruit Bible Church (NBC) in Mpumalanga, South Africa.

London is an amazing city of history and remarkable art littering the streets. Now that Charlie is a British citizen, it was our joy to explore London with him.

Despite the sights of London, we all most enjoyed spending time with believers. We relished amazing hospitality, generosity, and the encouragement of friends living wholeheartedly for Christ. We were encouraged by Charlie’s spiritual insight, and that his heart wasn’t hooked by the great sites of London. He even described Covent Garden as Vanity Fair.

We visited Richard’s mom in her new home for dementia clients. It is a beautiful old manor house, and Richard’s sisters do a wonderful job looking after his dear mom.

We were struck by the many posters “boasting” of 28,000 qualified mental health therapists in the UK. It reminded us of when the South African government “boasted” that they successfully prosecuted more corrupt government officials than in any previous year. Success can be a strange thing! How both countries need the gospel.

The missionary conference (GMI) was a time of refreshment for our souls and bodies. We feasted on fellowship and food and friends. Charlie was slightly nervous about not knowing anybody at Grace Community Church (GCC). As we pulled into the car park one of the other missionary kids called out, “Hey Charlie!” As we entered GCC we asked the nearest person to take a photo of us. Considering there are about 5,000 people on site, we were surprised when the cameraman asked, “You’re the Pesketts, aren’t you?” When we asked how he knew, he quickly replied, “You’re our missionaries and I pray for you.” All nerves vanished under this friendliness. What a kind providence. At GCC, we caught the excitement of members eager to do the next chapter well. John MacArthur set a remarkable example and handed on the baton to faithful, steadfast men who are seasoned and well qualified. We rejoice at God’s new gift to GCC in the appointment of Nathan Busenitz, a gentle, astute, faithful teacher and pastor. After four Sundays away from our own church family, we were very eager to get home.

When we moved to Nelspruit eleven years ago, Richard longed to have just five faithful men to train so that he could pass on the beautiful baton of the gospel. Below is how Richard is involved in training men on various levels, according to need and ability. Please pray for the men who are hungry and eager. Almost all the men listed have their own dream to go into fulltime ministry, either church planting, reaching the unreached, evangelising or pastoring. Some have fulltime jobs and full-time families. It seems an impossibility to get from where they are to fulltime ministry but we have a mighty God and in him we put all our faith to make it possible for those he is calling.

Our great longing is still for a church building to call our own—a place where we can have dedicated space to train men and fly the flag for the Lord in Nelspruit. But we are constantly grateful that the Lord has given us all we need and more besides for this season. Richard is working with Jabu to plan a Conference in February 2027. Hopefully three faithful black African pastors from South Africa will speak to our local township pastors about expository preaching. For some, it will be the first time they have encountered expository preaching. Please pray for the Lord to bring the right men and for them to desire to handle the Bible correctly so that Christ may be preached faithfully and we have less man-centred preaching in our country.

We feel as though we are in one of the sweetest chapters of our lives. We are thankful that we love each other’s company, love doing life together, love praying together, and that Christ is still our first love. How kind of the Lord that he has kept us for 31 years and that we are both married to our best friend. We cherish each other more every year. Our Lord is very gentle with us! Our hearts overflow. Telda is about to start teaching a Bible Overview. Please pray that the ladies would be dazzled by the magnificence of our great God, who he is, and all he has done. The preparation has caused Telda to worship him afresh and marvel at his majesty, sovereignty and kindness. Charlie is a delight to us as he pursues Christlikeness. He is doing well at school, with one eager eye on attending the Master’s University in California when he gets to university age. He is enjoying friends, piano, trampoline, and his dog, Biggles, who smiles on command.

Thank you for your prayers. In Christ, Richard Peskett Pastor-teacher Nelspruit Bible Church South Africa