#FeesMustFall | What do we say?

As an Every Nation family we love the next generation and we are passionate about reaching our students. We believe in them and we believe in the potential their lives carry.

These past weeks we had quite an up roaring on our campuses, in our streets and ultimately at the Union Buildings. So what do we, as Every Nation, say about #FeesMustFall, students fighting for their rights and governments role in all this?

Statement by His People and Every Nation Churches re. Student Uprising.

We stand in solidarity with all students who are battling to afford ever increasing university fees and those who cannot access higher education for financial reasons. 

Proverbs 21:13 - "Whoever shuts his ears to the cry of the poos will also cry himself and not be heard."

We believe that this week may go down in history as the day when students said enough is enough on a matter of national importance.

We support all students who exercise their democratic right to down their books in solidarity with those who face financial exclusion and out of respect for those who have been unjustly arrested in this week's protest action.

We appeal to students who exercise their democratic right not to down their books not to ignore the light of their fellow students.

We appeal to all concerned to exercise these rights responsibly and represent the character of Christ in all our actions. We condemn all actions that violate the rights of others, damage property or commit unlawful acts. We reject intimidation and violence. We pray for calm, peace and non-violence in these protests from all parties involved.

We appeal to academic staff to postpone tests, exams and assignment deadlines in the next week out of appreciation for the gravity of the issue at hand. We voice our support to those vice-chancellors who have been engaging this protests responsibly and hearing the plights of the students.

We call on Minister Nzimande and Vice-Chancellors to place a moratorium on all university fee increases until a clear way forward has been found. We call on the Minister of Higher Education and Training to urgently overhaul the National Student Financial Aid Scheme and implement the recommendations of the committee established to address the funding of universities in 2012.

We call on President Zuma to turn the tide on corruption in our beloved country that is entrenching poverty and lining the pockets of the politically connected at the expense of the poor. We ask him to intervene in this crisis and engage in proper dialogue to hear the plight of students.

We call on business and alumni to increase their efforts in bursary and loan funding to students and to apply their creativity and entrepreneurial flair to find ways to meet the needs of the financial excluded.

We remember the words of former President Nelson Mandela when he said, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world."

May we all do more to invest in the next generation - they are not just going to lead our country tomorrow, they are already leading it today!

2 Chronicles 7:14 - "If My people, who are called by My name, will humble themselves and pray and seek My face and turn from their wicked ways, then I will hear from heaven, and I will forgive their sin and will heal their land.

Church Planting | Why, Where and When

As I mentioned in one of the previous posts, we know that God has called us to church planting. In a way this stirs a great excitement in our hearts as we can have confidence in what God has called us for, but on the other hand its also a little bit scary. Not knowing exactly what it will look like, what it will take from us, what we can expect... There's a lot of variables.

But we know that this is what God has called us for.
Here is the Why, Where and When of our church planting journey!

Why?
One thing I am really convicted about is that God's plan to establish His Kingdom on earth is through the church. The local church is the hope of the world - Bill Hybels. I truly believe that. Its through the local church that God's rule and reign is established in communities - through the power of the Gospel. And it is the responsibility of the church to show the world who God is, what God expects of us and how God has made provision for humanity to be restored in relationship with Him!

If we are serious about reaching the world and redeeming the world with the message of the Gospel then we can't be anything but serious about the local church and planting strong, healthy, vibrant, disciple-making churches!

Click here to read more on Why Church Planting from the Every Nation Global website.

Where?
One of the things that came out of the assessment center was that we need to get our own conviction of where God is calling us to. It can't just be something that our leadership feels or somewhere that is just a good idea. It's needs to be a burning conviction in our own hearts as well.

That is what we are praying about now. Where. I have always loved Africa and I deeply love our nation South Africa. So those are two places we are praying about. 

That is also part of the reason for me going to Kenya in November - to get my feet on the ground to see and experience what church planting in Africa (outside of South Africa) looks like.

Since last year when I had an encounter with three German students in Cape Town Europe starting stirring in my heart as well. I have been in contact with some people coming back from trips to Europe and the general feel is that Europe is ready and open for a fresh Gospel impartation and healthy disciple-making churches. So we are praying about Europe and next year I would like to join a missions team to Germany, again to get my feet on the ground to see what it looks like!

When?
We know we are currently in a preparation phase. To learn and grow as much as possible before we are sent out. We have incredible leaders walking alongside us to help us grow in specific areas. Riëtte and myself also anchoring the second service at our Southdowns congregation is part of the preparation.

Currently there is a specific timeline put in place. I personally think a lot of the timeline will rest on the conviction in our hearts of where God is sending us. The aim for me in 2016 will be to raise up leaders in each of the areas where I am involved so that by the end of 2016 I would be able to stand back completely without compromising in any area of results or excellence. So it will be a very intentional season of raising and developing leaders.

How can you support us?
Please pray with us. That we will clearly hear the voice of God as He leads us and that we will also be able to discern between emotion, circumstances and the will of God. Our hearts desire is to obey the call of God on our lives. Pray with us that we will hear God speak and that we will boldly obey!

Nairobi, Kenya | The Why, What and How behind our trip to Kenya

Why?
Kenya is currently the most strategic nation in Africa to reach the east coast of Africa. From Kenya we can set up an apostolic base to reach into the rest of East Africa - Tanzania, Uganda, Somalia, Ethiopia, Sudan. All of these countries are waiting for the Gospel!

The motive above all motives remains Jesus. With Jesus' blood He purchased people for God from every tribe and language and people and nation - Revelation 5:9

What?
Make disciples. Raise leaders. Plant churches. That is what we do and will keep on doing with a very specific and intentional focus on reaching the students. The missions trip will be focused on reaching students at the Kenyatta University and getting them connected in discipleship groups. From there they will be established in strong Biblical foundations and be equipped and empowered to reach their peers!

The team on the ground who are staying in Nairobi full time will continue the work of discipleship and laying foundations from where the church plant will happen.

How?
Pray | Pray with us as we go. The tension and threat in Kenya is still very much real. Pray for provision for the teams going, for the harvest we are going to reach and for protection for the team going, the team staying and those who will be reached by the Gospel.

Give | You can give towards the mission. The cost of the mission works out to R20 000 per person due to inflated flight tickets and accommodation priced in US Dollars. Your giving towards the mission will make it possible for the message of the Gospel to reach the next generation, impact a nation and influence the rest of East Africa!

Go | Pray about going along during our next missions trip in 2016. Go to your next door neighbor, your work colleagues, your friends - go to those God has called you to reach!

Click on the link below to watch a short video about the upcoming mission.