Divine service and meeting for Rectors at Saxonsea

The divine service and meeting, held and hosted by District Apostle N Barnes, took place at the Saxonsea church, Atlantis, a township outside of Cape Town on Sunday 1 February 2009.

The event brought together more than 1000 congregational leaders, including the apostles and bishops from across the Cape District Church. The Bible text out of Luke 22, a portion of verse 32,” . . . and when you have returned to Me, strengthen your brethren”, served as the basis for the divine service with the leadership of the Church. In his message, the District Apostle encouraged the leadership to “Shine in 2009!” The meeting that took place after the divine service essentially centered on providing quality pastoral care to the members. The District Apostle urged the rectors of the congregations to be central in promoting this cause. He labelled the year as the “Year of the Rector!”, and in line with this unveiled programs that would empower the rector in his work in the congregation. The new Sunday school and Thanksgiving theme for 2009 was also disclosed to the leadership of the Church. The Sunday school themes in the past have proven to create a greater awareness of a special day in the lives of New Apostolic Christians in the Cape, Thanksgiving Day. The District Apostle informed the leadership that the new theme (which was viewed by the attendees) will be launched in all congregations of the Cape District Church via a DVD insert, after the Sunday morning service of 8 February 2009. The meeting with rectors at Saxonsea was followed by an apostles and bishops training session and meeting at the Church’s conference centre in Dennekraal, which continued on the Monday. On the heel of these activities an apostles’ meeting also took place - this all in the space of 3 days!