safrica

South Africa

The Republic of South Africa is a land of great diversity which has recently experienced tremendous social upheaval. Its racial
and cultural makeup along with its unique history have combined to create a nation which is unlike any other on the African
continent. Today South Africa finds itself seeking a national identity which it will carry into the twenty-first century. The present
political turmoil provides an unparalleled opportunity for Christians to tell all South Africans about true peace and security
which comes only through knowing Christ.

South Africa occupies the southernmost portion of the African continent with an area of 471,445 sq. miles. It is bordered on the
south by the Atlantic and Indian Oceans and on the north by the African countries of Namibia, Botswana, Zimbabwe and
Mozambique. The country consists of four provinces: Capetown in the south and west, the Orange Free State in the central
area, Natal along the eastern coast, and the Transvaal in the north. There are also ten black "homelands" scattered throughout
the nation which are self-governing yet considered part of the Republic. The land is rich in natural resources and is among the
world's leading producers of gold, diamonds, chromium, uranium and platinum. It also has the most highly developed
industrial base and commercial economy on the continent.

In 1652 a supply station was established for the Dutch East India Company in what is now the area of Capetown by a Dutchman
named Jan van Riebeeck. European settlers were encouraged to come to the area to grow crops and provide fresh food for
the many ships passing between Europe and Asia. The original Dutch settlers were joined by French and German Protestants
seeking escape from religious persecution in Europe. This group of hardy pioneers became known as Boers or Afrikaners and
eventually considred the land they were settling and developing as their home, rather than Europe. In 1815 the British gained
control of South Africa. The Boers were disillusioned with the policies of the British and migrated inland establishing
independent republics. When rich gold fields were discovered in the Boer territory the British interest in controlling the region
increased until the entire area came indisputably under their control after the defeat of the Boers in 1902. In 1910 the Union of
South Africa was formed giving the nation autonomous government within the British Commonwealth. In 1961 South Africa
withdrew from the Commonwealth and the Republic of South Africa was declared independent.

Besides the white population (13.6%), South African society consists of mixed-race groups (8.6%), Asians (2.6%) and the
majority blacks (75.2%) from nine major tribal groups, the largest being the Zulu and Xhosa tribes. The system of official racial
segregation known as "apartheid," which was introduced in 1948, has been set aside and the nation is embarking on a new era
of democratic rights extended to all people regardless of race. In 1994 the first black president, Nelson Mandela, was elected.
He has tried to introduce a number of major social reforms but has been plagued by contued poverty, unemployment, crime and
corruption. Such tumultuous change as this has left South Africans with a sense of uncertainty about the future and will
hopefully cause more of them to look to Jesus Christ as their source of peace and security.

History of TCM in South Africa

Bruce Woolard had for many years pastored churches and taught in the Bible Institute of a Pentecostal denomination. He
became disillusioned with the teaching and practice of the group and began searching the Scriptures for sound biblical
evidence to refute the teachings which he felt were not correct. One day he went into a business and happened to spot some
Bible study material which was left there to be photocopied. These were pamphlets written by C.R. Stam sent from Prison
Mission Association to a man named Paul Leo. Having read them, Pastor Woolard immediately recognized that they contained
the answers to the questions that had plagued him. He began studying the Bible rightly divided and teaching dispensational
truth to the congregation he was pastoring at the time in the city of Port Elizabeth.

Pastor Woolard is a gifted evangelist and leader and he aggressively propagated the truth which he had discovered. The Lord
gave him opportunity to train and develop other men who in turn began new ministries in other parts of this diverse nation.

In 1989 Pastor Woolard made contact through correspondence with Things to Come Mission. He was anxious to learn more
about the distinctive Gospel message entrusted to the apostle Paul and to have much sought-after fellowship with like-minded
brethren in Christ. In August of that year Pastor Joe Watkins visited South Africa to survey the work and to evaluate the
possibility of TCM working together with the South Africans to develop the ministry which was already going on. These initial
contacts proved fruitful and has resulted in the formal affiliation of Things to Come Mission with the Association of Grace
Churches in South Africa. This organization has repeatedly expressed willingness to sponsor TCM missionaries who desire to
minister in South Africa. Subsequent visits by Pastor Watkins, Pastor Vernon Anderson, Pastor Dan Sidebottom and TCM
board member Pastor Ed Wishart helped to encourage the believers and strengthen the bond between the two organizations.

Present Ministry of TCM in South Africa

There are now eight congregations affiliated with the Fellowship of Berean Churches in South Africa. The message of Grace
has spread beyond Port Elizabeth to Newcastle and areas surrounding Pretoria. Not only is the ministry expanding
geographically, but it has begun to cross cultural and racial barriers with churches started among the major black Zulu and
Xhosa tribes and the Afrikan speaking whites. Pastor Phillip du Plessis now is the president of the Association of Berean
Churches of South Africa. A black pastor, Stephens Thobela has begun a growing ministry among the blacks in Soweto
township.

There are also several men who are carrying on writing ministries and several books and tracts have been distributed in
English and Afrikans. Two periodicals are published by the South African believers: the Berean News in English and The Full
Armor of God in Afrikans. Another effective method used for propagating the Gospel and distinctive Grace doctrine has been
audio and video tapes produced both locally and in the U.S. A.

The South Africans have expressed the desire to have a missionary from Things to Come Mission to help develop the ministry.
Dan and Jennifer Sidebottom have answered that call and by God's grace they arrived in South Africa in January, 1999. This is
a crucial time in this nation's history and there is an unparalleled opportunity to present the wonderful message of
reconciliation to God through faith in Christ to a society in need of peace, security, and reconciliation. Pray for South Africa and
pray that the Lord of the Harvest would send reapers to this land so uniquely "ripe unto harvest."