Over the weekend of 15th to 17th September this year the Apostolic Church in South Africa celebrated it’s Jubilee (50th) anniversary in Omega Worship Centre on The Bluff, Durban.

Months of planning had gone into preparing for this significant milestone in the church’s journey that had began with a small group in a leader’s house. A number of missionaries from the UK have served in South Africa from Pastor & Mrs J Brown, Pastor Jackie & Rita Harries, Pastor Granville & Heather Johnson and latterly Pastor Ivor & Alice Douglas.

Former Actionoverseas board chairman Pastor Eric parker and his wife Rena and current Africa Coordinator Pastor Stuart Wood and his wife Sandra represented the UK church at the celebrations. Pastor Eric ministered at the Friday evening and Sunday morning services and Stuart and Sandra Wood presented a leadership seminar to around 150 existing and emerging leaders on Saturday morning.

The highlight of the weekend was the main celebration service on Sunday morning when almost 800 people gathered to pay tribute to God’s faithfulness and to those, past and present, who had played significant roles in bringing the church to this point. ‘Empower & Release’ was the key theme for the weekend – a timely word for many individuals and for the church at large. We are trusting God for even greater blessings in the next 50 years…

The Apostolic Church in South Africa celebrated it’s 50th anniversary this year. Stuart & Sandra Wood represented Actionoverseas and Eric & Rena Parker at the official celebrations. The commemoration events were well planned and presented a very vibrant expression of the church in SA. At the main service on Sunday morning, attended by around 800 people, tributes were paid to the past and encouragement given for the future. The national and regional leadership have brought stability to the work following recent tragedies of the deaths of 2 pastors. The key message of the celebrations was ‘empower and release’ which they acknowledged was a timely inspiration. There is a real sense of excitement for the future of the work as they head into this new season with unity and purpose. A recent church plant started in July has already grown to almost 25 regular attenders with other locations being identified for future expansion.