Newsletter | Prayer Card | Website | Country

Dean & Sheba Padayhag

Johannesburg, South Africa

For the sake of His call ... Serving the Lord together in love

Like any other foreign land: all things are different, people are new and places are unfamiliar yet the ultimate goal is the same: to save the lost and to edify the saints. As a young missionary, it is not just a mere adventure but a challenge of faith that should be responded to with wisdom and courage.

Having learned some of the interesting details of South Africa’s biological diversity, its wealth and treasure, its mountains and conservation areas, its toll roads and cities, all of which illustrate the riches and variety in this wonderful country, our hearts remain excited to go back there and be part of the rainbow country again. We believe that on this second term of our mission in South Africa there are big opportunities for us to reach to different kinds of people and introduce to them the wonderful message of Grace.

Our primary goal in South Africa is to be able to establish a strong urban church in Johannesburg city. We are equipping ourselves with some strategic plans and approaches to accomplish this goal.

Part of this plan is to mentor qualified individuals to help achieve this goal. Evangelism, indoctrination, training and discipleship are some of the few approaches that we have planned to use. Our music and evangelistic team will also contribute to the propagation and advertisement of our ministry.
Another ministry that we are going to continue is the youth and children’s ministry.

As the Lord guides, it is our heart’s desire also to establish urban churches in other cities. Dean directs the work in South Africa and represents the South African ministry to TCM.

Email Update - October 23, 2006

Our Dear Ministry Partners:

Thank you for praying. The opening of Grace Berean Church in Kempton Park – Johannesburg, South Africa last Sunday was victorious. We were about 35 people. Not bad for a start.

There were several who said they will come but weren’t able to make it. But it was very encouraging that there were some who came without us inviting them. There was this guy, Tshepeso, a flight attendant, on his way to the airport Saturday afternoon saw & picked up our contact card from the street.
He was about to throw it away (just like how it was thrown by the 1st person who got it) but then thought that it’s not right. He just kept it in his shirt pocket. In the morning of Sunday he arrived home from the flight. He looked again on the card & noticed the verse on it that says, “Choose you this day whom you will serve, but as for me & my house we will serve the Lord.”
That kept him thinking. And so he got up around 8AM and looked for the church location that happens to be just the street at the back of the apartment where he stays. Very timely, we were already in the church to prepare for the opening. We informed him that it’s the church 1st worship service & it will start at 10AM. He went home & eventually came back well dressed for church.
He also managed to call his wife who was on duty that time in the airport.
His wife also came though was late. This couple is just one of the promising members we can have in this church planting mission. It is just so amazing how God works it out.

But the community here is getting curious & excited about having a church in the area. We noticed people trying peeking & seeing what is going on inside that room since there were singing & music played. There were people also who passed by & asked our ushers what time the service starts & until what time.
They said they would find a way to attend next time.

Now, it’s time for us to do the next steps. Though we will continue inviting as much people as we can. Just this morning, we had appointment with the signage company. We would like to have a descent & large enough signage that
people will see. We are praying for funds we can use for it.

Please continue to support us in your prayers. God bless you too.

Dean and Sheba

www.trax.to/deansheba