Church marks 50 years
With leadership passed on to Mark and Shammel, the church is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago
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On February 2, Freedom Life Church celebrated 50 years of ministry in Vryheid.
Past leaders joined the celebrations, during a time of praise and thanksgiving.
Mark and Shammel Naicker were ordained as the Lead Elders, taking over the baton from Martin and Karen Bouwer.
The church originated in a house on Utrecht Street and was established by Trevor and Val Yoko.
Soon, this venue became too small and they moved to a new premises which seated 150 people, which is now called Faith Outreach.
Not long after, the church had to move to the Moth Hall temporarily, while an even bigger venue was sought.
For a number of years, the church held its services outside of town, before the decision was made to move back into Vryheid itself.
While a new church was being built, the congregation once again made use of the Moth Hall for a few months.
Piet and Lorna Grove led the church after Trevor and Val moved to Newcastle.
Over the years, a children’s facility and a preschool began operating on the premises, under the leadership of Wally and Shirley Gerstmeier. In May 2001, under the leadership of Danie and Darleen, the church established Inkululeko Children’s Home for orphaned and abandoned babies.
From 2010, Martin and Karen Bouwer have led the congregation.
With leadership passed on to Mark and Shammel, the church is as relevant today as it was 50 years ago, reaching people with the gospel and extending Jesus’s love and care to the community.
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