Church celebrates two decades of fellowship
Pinetown Fellowship Church will be celebrating its 20th anniversary.
THIS year marks a milestone in the history of the Pinetown Fellowship Church, which, after two decades of serving the community, is still passionate about fulfilling its mission and vision.
The church, which celebrates its 20th anniversary on 27 March, started with just nine congregants in a house in Mariannridge. From humble beginnings, the Pinetown Fellowship Church has grown and now has a congregation of about 250 people who are part of the church, which is situated in a beautifully-constructed building in Payne Street.
Speaking about the challenges they have had to overcome and their memorable moments, Apostle Chester Rawlins and his wife, Rosie, said sacrifice and faith were the key principles used in their journey to success.
The church was officially opened in 1995 under the name Mount Zion Christian Fellowship. Due to the overwhelming response, the church moved from a house to a classroom. As time passed, the Rawlins’ began to search for a property in which to to house their growing congregation.
In 1997 Apostle Rawlins decided to trade his day job for full-time ministry, and in 1999 they moved into a mini-warehouse in Westmead. Three years later they moved to a factory on Payne Street, which they renovated to cater for their services and community outreach projects. In keeping with their vision to reach Pinetown and surrounding areas, the name of the church was changed to Pinetown Fellowship Church.
Proud parents of five children, the Rawlins’ said the most challenging part of their journey was when Apostle Rawlins decided to go into full-time ministry. “Financially it was most challenging, but we remained faithful and God provided and miraculously met all our needs,” they said.
The church’s four other branches will be hosting a special dinner to celebrate its 20th anniversary.
