Welcome to Christ Church Horison

Here is a brief summary of how that work developed over the years, and an update of current events. The beginnings of this ministry go back to 1999, before Christ Church Horison had come into existence. Looking for opportunities in ministry, in September a reformed Presbyterian church called Grace Covenant Church in Roodepoort came across a situation in the southern part of Maraisburg to the east of us where squatters, who had been the object of evangelism and bible distribution by one of their number, had been moved to the empty hostels of Durban Roodepoort Deep Gold Mine which was in the process of closing down. A limited number of other people were also being allowed to erect shacks around these hostels, thus constituting a village by the name of Sol Plaatjie. The next month, October, saw the beginnings of ministry at Sol Plaatjie with visitation evangelism and the advertising of the first service to be held in a hall in the area in December. Dr Flip Buys from Mukhanyo Theological College, was the preacher at that first service, with over 100 in attendance. This number declined, but ministry continued in year 2000 and 2001 with Sunday services, Wednesday bible study, Sunday school and visitation. From year 2000, low-cost houses were starting to be built in Braam Fischerville, just south of Sol Plaatjie village. Residents of Sol Plaatjie were eligible for occupation of such houses as they became available in Braam Fischerville and other places. Year 2002 saw the first attendee being allocated a house in Braam Fischerville and moving there. Consideration was now being given to moving the ministry to the Braam Fischerville area in the light of what was starting to happen with housing. In the mean time, Grace Covenant Church had been suffering declining numbers, and in July 2002 disbanded, and their remaining members started attending meetings at St Stephen's in Krugersdorp, belonging to the Church of England in South Africa. Neil Beatson, then the Pastor of that church, was somewhat enthused about the Sol Plaatjie work, resulting in St Stephen's church taking over the oversight of that ministry, with the old Grace Covenant people being the ones involved in the actual work. The second half of the year saw the establishing of a bible study in Braam Fischerville along with visitation. In December 2002, a church plant of St Stephen's took place took place with the establishing of Christ Church Horison. Neil Beatson somehow managed to Pastor both churches for the first year with much hectic commuting between the two buildings. For logistic reasons, the oversight of the mission work was transferred to Horison. In February 2003 church services were transferred from Sol Plaatjie to someone's house in Braam Fischerville, but by 2004 it was clear that a separate venue was needed. In July 2004, a metal shack was erected in the back yard of one of the attendees, resulting in an increase in attendance. During 2004 the final phase of housing development was completed in Braam Fischerville. During 2005 the numbers attending settled at between 30 - 40, but there were still no men regularly attending. The purchasing of a piece of land was being considered, but in view of the lack of progress in the ministry, it was decided to hold back on such plans. The most exciting time of this 7.5 year ministry has been in the first half of this year. Following his training and obtaining his degree at Mukhanyo, Celumusa Zulu joined us full-time as a ministerial assistant. Elias Masango helped us on a part time basis as he completed his studies at Mukhanyo. Celumusa and Elias worked well as a team. While Celumusa completed his studies at George Whitefield College, Elias took on more responsibility in the work. Rose, one of the faithful ladies at Braam Fischerville, has been teaching the little children in the Sunday School and Celumusa has been teaching the older children in the Sunday School. A Youth group has started on Fridays under the leadership of Elias. The regular weekly program consists of visitation on Fridays and Saturdays, a Friday afternoon youth meeting, a Saturday afternoon Bible Study (which includes time to practice hymns and to pray), Sunday School and Sunday Service after the morning service at Christ Church Horison. Attendance at Sunday worship services has increased from an average of about 40 in 2005 to an average of about 60 in the last few months. Not only has there been an increase in the attendance at the services but there seems to be spiritual growth as well. There is a young lady with whom Celumusa and Elias shared the Gospel who seems to have come to genuine saving faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Others are showing more commitment in coming to services. Questions have been asked about tithes and offerings. There has been an increase in the weekly giving. Elias and Musa were able to counsel a number of people who have been going through various spiritual problems. What about the practical issues? The informal "shack" where the meetings take place is now almost full every Sunday. It may be possible to squeeze in about 70 people. The Church Council of Christ Church Horison has agreed to the purchase of the stand in Braam Fischerville for the ministry there. The stand is 1 482 m2 (0.366 acres) in size and is very near to the current meeting place. It is a corner stand on a fairly main road. An amount was donated by a church in the UK towards this purchase but we as a congregation would have to finance the rest of the purchase and the building of any structure on the stand through an increase in our bond. One of the Central Trustees of CESA has seen the site and is very positive about our purchase of this stand. It should be noted that such property would not belong to us, as a local congregation, but to CESA, even though we would be paying for it. The purchase has, of necessity, been put on hold while we wait for proclamation of the area.

More recently, another student, Sechaba Legoete, from Mukhanyo Theological College, has joined us. He has graduated, and has now taken on a heavy responsibility while Elias spends a year at George Whitefield College.

The Challenge:

There are probably more than 70,000 people in Braam Fischerville. The spiritual need is enormous. There are possible more than 50 churches in the area, but there are very few strongly evangelical biblically based works going on there. The need is urgent. Go and see for yourself what is going on in Braam Fischerville. We don't have to cross any borders to visit this mission field. It's a mission field right on our doorstep - just on the other side of Main Reef road. We don't have to wait for reports to come back to us. We can see for ourselves.