A journey to being pastors
The CHRONICLE looks at the lives of pastors Martin and Jessie Botma of Baseline Family Church in Bassonia.
The CHRONICLE recently visited Baseline Family Church on 25 Pieter Acroyd Avenue in Bassonia and was welcomed into a family of believers with much love and humility by pastors Martin and Jessie Botma.
The Sunday services at 9.30am commence with praise, worship and a sermon. When the CHRONICLE visited, Holy Communion was taken and a few members went through the waters of baptism on Sunday, November 5. This happens almost every month. Families were also given certificates to be received into the church as official members. They completed a course of basic kingdom principles and are now considered members of Baseline Family Church. Afterwards the congregation was welcomed to the cafeteria-like area to enjoy fellowship around some snacks, sweets, savouries and a hot beverage.
We spoke to pastors Martin and Jessie Botma to find out more about them.
Martin (52) was born in Germiston, completed his schooling career in Germiston and started an apprenticeship at the Germiston City Council as an electrician.
While working, he met Dan Du Plessis who invited him to an AFM (apostolic faith mission) church in Germiston under pastor Don Wolmarans. It was there that Martin was saved and born again while serving his apprenticeship. Martin then joined the national defence force (army) in Pretoria.
It was in 1986 that he met his wife, Jessie, in church. Martin became a leader at the AFM church in Germiston and then left to help another church in Germiston together with his wife. The Botma’s left that church after 10 years to help a church in Midvaal where they both worked full-time. They established cell life in this church. They were both district pastors and spent 16 years at the church in Midvaal. It was in February this year that Martin resigned to take over Baseline Family church in Bassonia.
Martin celebrates 21 years in the ministry this year and was trained and developed by two senior pastors throughout the years. He was taught leadership skills and Jessie excels in inner healing. Together they offer marriage counselling, basic kingdom principles and help bring unity to homes and people.
Jessie (50) was born in Pretoria and attended a school in Meyerton. She attended Voorbrand Primary School and Hoërskool Die Fakkel. Later she moved to Meyerton. By this time she was living with her brother and attended an AFM church in Meyerton. After completing her matric she moved to Germiston and lived with her sister.
“I first started to believe in Jesus in Grade Six and always wanted to help people with emotional healing,” said Jessie.
It was at this church that she met Martin. She had yearned for a happy family and told God to choose a husband for her.
“I saw Martin in church but I didn’t like him. He happened to have his 21st birthday on our youth camp (January) and during the whole bus ride to the camp, he sat next me because that was the only available seat and he tried to make conversation the whole way,” said Jessie.
They were both also members of the choir. That Valentine’s Day Jessie got her first bouquet of flowers ever. Martin asked Jessie out for coffee via a friend. He asked her out to go dancing, to watch a movie and she said no to all. She did eventually agree to a bible study session with him on a Tuesday night though. That same December the two were engaged and the following April they were married.
Next year April, the couple will celebrate 30 years of marriage.
Martin and Jessie have two children who are both married and are starting their own families. They are following in the footsteps of their parents who set a good example of what building a family looks like and means. As a family they serve the Lord together at Baseline Family Church.
Visit https://baselinefc.co.za/ to see what Baseline Family Church is all about and keep a lookout in the CHRONICLE as more stories will follow about the history of Baseline Family Church as well as outreaches done by the team.
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