GEORGE NEWS - People - that is the broader community and not only religious individuals - are the focus of Hope Church in Third Street, George East.

It is a church particularly intentional about accommodating people of all races. The church is part of the Assemblies of God Group that has been in George for some 30 years. Its current address, a light, modern building in Third Street, has been their home for the past 25 years.

True reflection of rainbow nation
Hope Church used to be a formally white church, but this changed from a homogenous group to a truly authentic multi-cultural body under the leadership of the previous pastor, Dave Henderson. This was right up Pastor Neville Ontong’s alley when he took over in 2008 as church leader. He had done an Honours thesis on the subject of ‘Racism in the evangelical church’ as part of his studies in educational management.

Social justice
Hope Church also focuses strongly on social justice initiatives. "We co-partner with LIFE Community Services where we have an outreach every second Sunday at their Protea Park centre, and with the Phambili shelter for battered women and children. We furthermore co-host the annual Khomanani Day with the George Municipality, reach out through a mission in Zambia and support a gifted orphan from George, Zolani Mbanga, who was selected to enter the Maths and Science Institute in Constantia, Cape Town," says Neville.

Raising leaders
The church youth group, under the leader-ship of ministry intern Kyle House, focuses on raising leaders. Kyle joined the church staff in January and is focusing on skills and leadership development among the young church members so as to enable them to also play a role in social justice programmes and be effective in their day to day lives.

Planet Kidz, the children’s church, has a special focus on the younger generation’s needs and development, and the ladies in the church are involved in Women of Hope whose aim it is to impact on the lives of women from the community. This is achieved through special events where women are spoiled and treated while keynote speakers bring encouraging spiritual messages. Weekly Bible studies are also organised.

Practical men
The men’s ministry reaches out in a very practical manner. They are involved in giving of their time and effort at centres of LIFE Community Service and the Phambili shelter through maintenance of premises.
"We are also open to people who approach us for help. For example there is a family in Thembalethu who are HIV positive whose home we painted and we installed a ceiling. In such cases we do a feasibility study first and where the need is genuine, we will build into that situation. In these cases we also reach out on a spiritual level," says Neville, a man ever so fervent about bringing people from all cultures together in a society where division among groups is often still too prevalent.
For more information about the church and their activities, phone the office on 044 871 1624.

Upcoming workshops
Hope Church is presenting a weekend of worship, fun and learning from 23 to 25 September. On 24 September Edgar Ramsami, teaching pastor of Liberty Church Discovery, will be leading two workshops. The first, ‘Coming together in an age of diversity’, will introduce delegates to the basics of culture and train them in how to identify and respond to cultural differences. You will be much wiser after the workshop on how to interact with people from different cultures to your own.
In the second workshop, titled ‘Five needs every child must have met @ home’, Ramsami will show in an interactive, fun presentation the five most important needs that children long to have met at home by parents.
The workshops will take place from 08:30 to 14:00 and cost R120 per person. A finger lunch will be provided.

Fun day
On Friday 23 September a celebration will be held with live worship, food stalls, a jumping castle, dunking pond and more on the menu. It starts at 16:00.
The weekend will be concluded with a service on Sunday 25 September at 09:30.
For more information, phone
Hope Church on 044 871 1624.


Hope Church reaches out to the community on Khomanani Day together with the George Municipality.

ARTICLE: ALIDA DE BEER, GEORGE HERALD JOURNALIST