Many an early morning motorist who takes Wilgeroodt Road or Robert Broom Drive must have noticed the man with the banner, the bible and the friendly smile.
When Martin van Eck’s (66) doctor told him in 2010 that he’ll have to start walking due to his high cholesterol the Holy Spirit told him at the same time to start ministering to motorists in peak traffic. He printed 30 T-shirts with different messages relating to the Gospel on it, and started praying and ministering to those stuck in traffic.
In 2011 he made a few banners ranging from the Good News to stern warnings about Christ’s second coming being immanent and became a daily feature at his current spot, rain or sunshine.
Why does he do it? “The church has become a social club where only prosperity is preached. Very few preachers still talk about sin, the end times, the blood of Jesus and being filled with the Spirit, ” says Van Eck who jokingly refers to himself as ‘the drive-thru church’.
“People often ask me when they stop why they never hear from the church and its people anymore. Why is the church so absent in modern life. This is my way of getting down to grassroots level and sharing the message. Obviously I also pray for their safety as they drive to and from work,” he explains.
While the Record visited him many motorists as well as pedestrians greeted him in a manner that made it clear they have become accustomed to him and that he has made the dreariness of their day just that little bit more bearable.
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