Compliments of the new year brothers and sisters!

“He is no fool who gives what he cannot keep to gain that which he cannot lose.” Jim Elliot

I start this year with great eagerness for ministry and serving the Lord’s people, as well as empowering myself with knowledge needed to fulfil my Lord’s call on my life.

But more about this year will require its own newsletter; rather, let us take a brief look at the end of last year (2022) to get an idea where I am coming from.

Personal

I realised last year (2022) how much of a necessity and a blessing it is to have a plurality of elders in the church as the Bible mandates. Since August 2022, I have been the only elder in the church plant in Orange Farm and am also slowly becoming the only elder in Three Rivers Baptist Church as well. The pressure felt made prayers for more men more earnest.

But I enjoyed some time of rest and fellowship with brothers in the Spurgeon fraternal. I also had the pleasure of visiting brother Sipho Mfusi’s Zion Reformed Church in KwaZulu-Natal. What a lovely time of encouragement and fellowship.

Three Rivers Baptist Church

The Lord has been pleased to bless us with new members. We baptised a wonderful couple from the Orange Farm outreach and a sister who came from KZN. We also had the pleasure of having new deacons to assist in the work of the Lord.

We also hosted some events, including a conference on evangelism, a workshop on church, and a Sola 5 fraternal. We also do realise our need to own a building to give us the flexibility needed for both worship and inviting unbelievers. Our current meeting times are awkward, to say the least, especially the main service. We currently meet at 3:00 PM at the place we are renting.

Orange Farm Baptist Church (Plant)

We faced some hardships in the church, with suicide attempts from young people who were coming to church. Unfortunately, one was successful. It was a fourteen-year-old girl, who couldn’t see life beyond her troubles. It was a sad two weeks trying to help the family deal with such loss.

But the Lord has been good to us to bless us with support from Grace Baptist Church (Daveyton) and Moletsane Baptist Church (Soweto) with preachers and regular check-ups. We hope the Lord can send a man to take the ministry over and forward soon.

There has been consistency in attendance from the people, which has been encouraging and allowed me to do some series once in a while. We hope to accept many into membership in 2023. They have been asking and, of course, showing good signs of faith.

Although only a few give, the Lord has used those members to fund the activities of the church, including petrol (for fetching people) and refreshments (after each service).

Prayers

  • Pray for more godly and qualified men to be raised or sent to both churches.
  • Pray for zeal, wisdom, and hard work for me in overseeing these two churches.
  • Pray for more financial help for the Orange Farm plant.
  • Pray for those who are members in the churches to serve with their gifts and abilities for the glory of God.

Thank you for your prayers.

In him,

Athi Mgqibelo