GEORGE NEWS - Retirement is supposed to be a time of relaxation and travelling for most people. However, for Pastor Dave Hooper and his wife Gill, retirement was a time of feeling purposeless. That all changed during a fateful trip to Kruger National Park in 2021.
On their way to the park with their caravan in tow, the couple had a conversation about their desire to not fizzle out in retirement and to be engaged in the mission of Jesus.
They prayed for God to use them and show them where they could make the most impact.
Their prayers were answered on October 10th, 2021 when lightning struck the couple while Gill was making tea. Both were shaken violently, with Gill being hurled to the ground. The lightning had destroyed part of their caravan's circuits, and the car was written off in an instant. Miraculously, both survived the strike, though Gill had bruises from where the lightning had been conducted through her shoes.
The couple took this as a wake-up call from God, reminding them that they still had a mission to fulfil in their retirement years. They were inspired by a passage in Acts 26 where Paul is struck to the ground and told to rise and stand on his feet, as God had appeared to him for a purpose. Dave and Gill heard the same message from God: "I'm not finished with you, get up and go."
Dave and Gill had given 32 years of their lives to full-time ministry, and they didn't believe that God had withdrawn his investment in them.
They decided to re-purpose their lives for ministry and, in March 2022, with a small team from Patria church, planted another congregation in George.
The congregation that Pastor Dave Hooper and Gill planted is now known as City Church, and operates under the global Every Nation churches organization. Within one year, they have grown to have 200 steady members and are excited to serve the community with great passion.
City Church's preaching team offers a diverse range of expertise from experienced teachers, including Mzukisi Eagan, known for "World Needs a Father" course, Toinette Probart, founder of the "Art of Womanhood" course, Carel Lategan, a vital member of the leadership team and a primary mentor in the Sports Academy, as well as Japie Lubbe, CEO of the Family Transformation Centre, Wayne McAfee, CEO of the Sports Academy and the George Royal Academy and of course the courageous Pastor Dave Hooper. These individuals bring a wealth of knowledge and experience to the congregation, providing members with valuable insights to help them grow in their faith.
Every Nation City Church has become a hub for various ministries in the George community. The Sports Academy and George Royal Academy provides a safe space for underprivileged kids to engage in various sports and activities while also being mentored by positive role models. The Options Care Centre offers support and resources to women facing unplanned pregnancies, while the Family Transformation Centre provides counselling and courses for families and individuals facing various challenges. The People Against Substance Abuse (PASA) team actively works to combat drug and alcohol addiction in the community and schools. All of these ministries are passionate about making a practical difference in the lives of people in George and bringing hope to those who need it most.
The couple admits that their decision to start a new congregation was a risk, but they would rather take that risk than nod off in a comfortable rocker on the stoep of an old age home. They are grateful for God's faithfulness and look forward to continuing their mission to serve Him in their retirement years.
According to the South African Weather Service, South Africa has the third highest lightning strike density in the world, and about 260 people are killed annually by lightning. Dave and Gill's survival of the strike was nothing short of miraculous and inspired them to fulfil their purpose in life. - This article was generated by ChatGPT from a testimony that Pastor Dave wrote in his journal
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
