Dear Colleague

These days, there are plenty of reasons to fear. Our world seems to be in a continuous state of war and crisis. The job market is dismal, natural disasters wreak havoc, and stories of crime dominate the headlines. As Christians, we know that fear should have no place in our lives, but how can we ignore what's going on around us?
 
Basically, there are two paths you can walk: faith or fear. It's impossible to simultaneously trust God and not trust God. Another way of saying this is that you cannot both obey and disobey Him--partial obedience is disobedience. So, which road are you travelling?
 
Some people who read the Bible and believe in God nevertheless choose to live in fear. Seeing others experience hardship, they start wondering if it could happen to them: Someone at my office lost his job; will I be next? Someone died in an accident--I could die too. But this kind of "logic" places your circumstances above your relationship with God.
 
If Satan can get you to think like this, he has won the battle for your mind. But when you focus on God rather than your circumstances, whatever the situation is, you win.  The Bible tells us, "God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of power and love and discipline" (2 Tim. 1:7).
 
Our heavenly Father understands our disappointment, suffering, pain, fear, and doubt. He is always there to encourage our hearts and help us understand that He's sufficient for all of our needs. When I accepted this as an absolute truth in my life, I found that my worrying stopped.

One Year later:

Today exactly one year ago, I joined the team at the National offices as the newly elected Secretary General of our beloved Church. The transition from pastoring a vibrant Church to being office bound had certainly not been easy, but I take my joy from my calling and not from my location. I do believe that the plans of God are greater than the plans of man, and I feel planted. I have learnt and discovered so much during this time. The one overarching thing is that The Church is in God’s Hands, therefore it is in good hands. We do not have to fear the future of our church, Jesus said, “And I say also to you, that you are Peter, and on this rock I will build my church; and the gates of hell shall not prevail against it.”

Our Church is in God’s hands, therefore it is in good hands.

The task at hand is a very demanding one, thankfully the team at the National office is well versed and equipped to assist in the areas of need. I express my thanks to the National office team.

2017 General Conference 16-19 0ctober 2017:

The new year ushers in for us the 2017 General Conference of our Church and the preparation has begun in earnest. It is very interesting that our 2017 General Conference is also the 20th year of our unification. Another item of Praise for your prayer Calendar.

Because of this rather special occasion, The Executive Council have decided to host a special Thanksgiving service on Monday 16th October 2017. This service will be an opportunity for the National Church to give thanks to God for His Hand of protection and blessing upon the Church. We will also be celebrating 20 years of unification. The Moderator Dr. AS van Deventer will be preaching his exit sermon as Leader of the Full Gospel Church of God in Southern Africa. We encourage your assemblies to join us in this Historical service.

The Executive Council has decided to supply lunch to all conference delegates on Tuesday through Thursday at no cost to the individuals.

Please note that Registration for the Conference takes place on Monday 16th October 2017, ONLY. No registrations will be done on Tuesday morning. (For those in the Gauteng area, who are able to come into Head Office, pre-registration can be done during August and September 2017, during office hours)

Pastor Renier Pelser will be hosting a Golf Day on Monday 16th October, so bring along your golfing equipment to join in with this Moderator’s Golfing day. Please contact Pastor Renier Pelser, on 012 282 7708 for registration details.
Allow me to bring some matters to your attention:-

Good Standing

Historically the Good standing of the ministry order had been assessed from General Conference to General Conference.

Personal Tithe as well as Assembly Tithe would be calculated from the 1st March 2014 through 28th February 2017 for Conference and good standing purposes. Please make sure that both your Personal and Assembly Tithe is up to date for this period.

The Executive Council has again made the cut off date for arrear tithe the 28th February 2017. The reason for this is rather simple, in order for us to be ready for the General Conference, we would need to complete the Good Standing process soon thereafter. As in the years before, payment after this date WILL NOT qualify you for good standing, it would need to be completely settled by the end of March 2017.

Please note that it would be impossible to try and settle Good standing disputes at the Registration of the General Conference and therefore we will not be addressing these matters at the Conference at all.

The preparation for the General Conference is rather loaded and will require our full attention, often working longer hours than normal. Please remember us in your prayers as we would need all the help we can get.

Accommodation:

Would you kindly make contact with Mrs. Lee-Anne van Schalkwyk should you require the use of the wendy houses on site or the caravan park during the Conference?

Booking would be essential to ensure that you would not be stranded.

For those of you making use of Hotel and Bed and Breakfast lodging, please book way ahead of time to ensure that you get the best rates and space.

Delegate Registration:

Registration for the conference is FREE, but is essential for the purpose of the integrity of the voting and participation in the conference.

The members of the General Conference are as follows:

All workers who have been certificated by the Executive Council.
One church council member, who has been appointed by the respective church council (Please bring a letter from the church council on an official letterhead of the assembly. This is essential)
Plus
Presiding Elders of branch works (a letter from the Regional Council is essential, on a letterhead)

Registration will commence on Monday 16th October at 10am.
Opening session will commence on Tuesday at 10am.

We anticipate the closing to be after the final session on Thursday around 5:30pm. Please make every effort to only leave after the final session.

AWARDS:

We will be presenting the 15/25/35 year awards to those qualifying Ministers during the course of the General Conference 2017.

Census Forms:

In order for our church to reflect an accurate membership, we implore you to complete the census forms which was due at the end of August 2016. A reminder that the Overseer now has permission to complete a consolidated form on behalf of the churches that cannot complete the form. For those who did not as yet complete the form, I include one in this circular for your completion.

CHRISTMAS GREETING:

I pray that you and your family will have a blessed Christmas as we remember the revelation into this World of The Son of God.

Allow me to conclude with the words of the song, “Mary did you Know”

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day walk on water?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would save our sons and daughters?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has come to make you new?
This Child that you delivered will soon deliver you.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy will give sight to a blind man?
Mary, did you know
that your baby boy will calm the storm with His hand?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy has walked where angels trod?
When you kiss your little Baby you kiss the face of God?
Mary did you know.. Mary did you know
The blind will see.
The deaf will hear.
The dead will live again.
The lame will leap.
The dumb will speak
The praises of The Lamb.

Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy is Lord of all creation?
Mary, did you know
that your Baby Boy would one day rule the nations?
Did you know
that your Baby Boy is heaven's perfect Lamb?
The sleeping Child you're holding is the Great, I Am.

Yours in His Service,
 
PASTOR SC PETERSEN
SECRETARY GENERAL