It's post-P2P, post-Amanzi, and WOW what amazing things are happening by God's power.
Just 1 month into the year and at the Westville ecclesia (one of the places where the P2P'ers were working from) we have experienced the mighty hand of God at work. We would never have thought that things could change so dramatically as they have over the past 18 months and especially this last month of January.
But then maybe we do not take to heart the words of Paul - "Now to him who is able to do exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think, according to the power that works in us" (Eph 3:20)
In little over a year our ecclesia has grown from approx. 35 members to 65 members! And this past Sunday the Sunday School hit an all time high growing from about 25 children to 41! Many of the new Sunday School children are from Marianhill and other areas (see photos in previous blog) where the P2Pers and other 2010 activities have been taking place.
It's so big that the brothers and sisters running the Sunday School say it's like running an entire Kids Church, with all the issues of venues, social activities, teaching etc. In fact plans are urgently trying to be put into place to construct additional accommodation for the classes (and the constant stream of volunteers who also live at the hall).
This past Sunday also saw our youth group grow from 4 to 15 and the launch of an adult Growth Class (for people preparing for baptism and newly baptised brothers and sisters) that had 3 people attending.
The growth, by God's grace has been hugely encouraging, and many Sunday mornings are now seeing 90+ people (including visitors and some children) in our hall which before would only have had about 45 people.
However with the great growth comes many new challenges. There is now a huge need for more people to help with teaching , outreach and pastoral issues (as the Westville members are now extremely stretched). There are also new issues around funding to try and build additional facilites for teaching venues, rooms to house the volunteers (who are vital to the continued sustainability of the work), people to asssist with transport of the many new Sunday School children, interested friends, and new brothers and sisters from neighbouring areas.
So we appeal to people to pray for the work that is continuing in South Africa, and also if possible to consider giving their time as part of the volunteer program. It's hugely rewarding (as can be seen from the slide shows and videos in the previous blog posts) and has a great impact on the many willing ears within South Africa. If you're interested in helping out in anyway, please visit the 2010 website for more information.
All praise be to God who continues to do "exceedingly abundantly above all that we ask or think".
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