en en en en id en en en en en pa en en en en en en en en en en en en en uz en en en en en en en nl en zh nb en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en de en da en nl af af en nl en af af nl fy de en en en en en en en en en en nb de en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en ko en fr en fr en en en en en en en en en en en en en af en en af nl nl af en nl en li de nl af nl af af af af nl af en af de da eo ko hu lt en cs af af af af af af nl nl af af af en en en en en en en en en en en sk en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en sk en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en nl af af af af af af af nl nl af af af af af af af af nl af af af nl af en af sv nl af nl nl nl nl af af af nl nl af da nl af af nl af nl af af nl af af af sk nl af af af fr af af en de fr de nl af nl af nl nl af af af it af af nl en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en ru fr en en en en pt en en en en en en en en en en en en nb lt en da af en af nl af af af af af en af af af af nl af en nl af ca fr nl nl af nl nl nl nl nl en de en nl en af af en af li lt en da af nl nl af en af nl af af af nl af en nl nl nl af nl nl af de nl nl nl af en li lt en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en en fr en en en en pt en en en en nb lt en en en nl en en zh en en en en en nb en en en en ru zh zh hbs_lat en en en en en en
Publications Archives - Page 2 of 4 - AFM South Africa
AFM GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING (GBM) & NATIONAL CONFERENCE 2018
The 2018 AFM General Business Meeting (GBM) is scheduled for 10-13 September 2018, at Woord-en-Lewe in Boksburg (Gauteng). The National Conference, however, will commence on Sunday evening, 9 September 2018 and conclude on Wednesday evening, 12 September 2018. All information needed to register can be found on the AFM website from the following link:
Also note that registrations can now be done online:
There are important constitutional amendments that will be discussed for adoption by the 2018 GBM. These amendments will have significant bearing on the election of Office Bearers in 2020. They deal with the experience required for those elected to lead the church at regional and national level, transitional mechanisms post elections, orientation of newly elected Office Bearers and their core responsibilities. Your attendance and participation would contribute to these discussions and decisions to be taken.
We will have a special service on Sunday evening (9.09.2018) to celebrate the 110th Anniversary of the AFM of SA. Special Guests from other church organisations have been invited to attend this specific service. You cannot afford to miss it! Further we have PCD sessions which will be beneficial to both pastors and members of the church.
I am urging all pastors, assembly leaders and members of the church to attend this important event. I am looking forward to meeting you at the 2018 GBM in Boksburg!
AGS ALGEMENE BESIGHEIDSVERGADERING (GBM) EN NASIONALE KONFERENSIE 2018
Die 2018 AGS Algemene Besigheidsvergadering (GBM) is geskeduleer vir 10-13 September 2018 te Woord-en-Lewe in Boksburg (Gauteng). Die Nasionale Konferensie begin al egter die Sondagaand, 9 September 2018 en sluit af op Woensdagaand, 12 September 2018. Alle inligting rondom registrasies is beskikbaar op die AGS webblad:
Neem ook kennis dat registrasies aanlyn gedoen kan word:
Daar is belangrike wysigings aan die konstitusie ( of “constitutional amendments”) wat bespreek gaan word vir goedkeuring deur die 2018 GBM.  Hierdie wysigings gaan ‘n beduidende impak hê op die verkiesing van Ampsdraers in 2020. Die wysigings handel oor die ondervinding wat benodig word van diegene wat verkies word om die kerk op ‘n streeks en nasionale vlak te lei, oorgangsmeganismes vir die na-verkiesings tydperk, oriëntasie van nuut verkiesde Ampsdraers en hul kern verantwoordelikhede.  Jou bywoning en deelname sal bydra tot hierdie besprekings en besluite wat geneem moet word.
Sondagaand (09.09.2018) sal daar ‘n spesiale diens wees om die 110de Verjaarsdag van die AGS van SA te vier.  Spesiale gaste van ander kerk organisasies is genooi om hierdie spesifieke diens by te woon.  Jy kan nie bekostig om dit te mis nie!  Verder het ons spesiale “PCD” sessies wat voordelig sal wees vir beide pastore en lidmate van die kerk.
Ek moedig alle pastore, gemeenteleiers en lidmate van die kerk aan om hierdie belangrike geleentheid by te woon.  Ek sien daarna uit om jou te ontmoet by die 2018 GBM in Boksburg!
The church is involved with the challenges of the local community
In our celebrations of the AFM’s 110th year we are constantly reminded that we as a church and individuals are “sent” – sent to continue the mission of our Lord Jesus Christ (Matthew 28:16-20). Community Involvement is one of the AFM’s strategic drivers. It is about addressing the real needs in our communities, to be socio-economically and Spiritually relevant. Below is a short article on how the AFM practically defined Community Involvement.
I would like to encourage you to:
(1) Visit our One AFM Game Plan page on our website. Here you can view and download all the AFM’s strategic drivers in 4 different languages: Afrikaans, English, isiZulu and Sesotho:
(2) Send us your story of Community Involvement. We would love to learn more and see how and where our AFM assemblies and members are involved. You can send an e-mail to:
As a church we promote the cause of truth and justice in society and be actively involved in the healing and restoration of our communities.
“Ethical” for us, means to do what is right according to the principles of the Bible.
“Socio-Economic relevance” refers to our Christlike involvement in the physical, economic and relational circumstances that people and communities find themselves in.
Help others meet their needs
Reaching out to people in need
Making a difference in people’s every day life
Our involvement in our communities is of great importance. It flows from our vision-statement: “We see a church accessible to all people, celebrating our unity and God given diversity, empowering our members for caring and transforming our communities to the glory of God.
Our greatest motivation to be a blessing to our communities is not humanistic or philanthropic, but the love of God. Remember that God sent His Son – not for the church as such, but for the world. He uses His church to be His instrument to touch the world, our communities.
While our missional calling is the foundation of “The One AFM Game Plan”, our community involvement is key to the fulfilment of our missional calling. The extent to which we impact our communities will determine our missional success. Our impact on our communities can me measured by the well-known saying: “Will your community miss you if your church closes down?”
We live and minister in communities that are adversely affected by the Evil One. A large part of the South African society suffers because of our dire socio-economic circumstances. Whatever the historical or present reasons for this situation, the church can not stand aloof and merely hold government or humanitarian organizations responsible. If we can help and facilitate people to help themselves, we have achieved something remarkable. The church must come to the aid of such people through caring, empowering and sharing.
In our involvement in socio-economic matters we must however guard against keeping people dependent. This easily develops into a mentality of entitlement – an attitude that is already abundantly obvious in SA. We need to empower people to take responsibility for their own lives and future -in other words, help others meet their needs. If we can assist people in meaningful training and job-creation, we do well.
There are indeed a number of our local churches who in this regard have remarkable success-stories to tell.
Answer these three questions to determine to what extent COMMUNITY INVOLVEMENT is applied in your assembly:
Are you aware of the specific needs in your local community? [List and describe them.]
What impact is this project making in your community? [Describe how your community changed as a result of this project.]
Laai die Nuusflits af in PDF formaat:
Die kerk se betrokkenheid by die uitdagings van die plaaslike gemeenskap
Gedurende ons feesvieringe van die AGS se 110de  jaar word ons konstant herinner dat ons as ‘n kerk en as individue “gestuur” is – gestuur om voort te gaan met die missie van ons Here Jesus Christus (Mattheus 28:16-20).  Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid is een van die AGS se strategiese drywers.  Dit gaan daaroor om die ware behoeftes in ons gemeenskappe aan te spreek, om sosio-ekonomies en Geestelik relevant te wees.  Hieronder is ‘n kort artikel oor hoe die AGS prakties Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid defnieër.
Ek wil jou aanmoedig om die volgende te doen:
Besoek ons “One AFM Game Plan” bladsy op ons webtuiste.  Hier kan jy alle AGS strategiese drywers besigtig en aflaai in 4 verskillende tale:  Afrikaans, Engels, isiZulu en Sesotho.
Stuur vir ons jou storie van Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid.  Ons wil graag meer weet en hoor hoe en waar ons AGS gemeentes en lidmate betrokke is.  Jy kan ‘n e-pos stuur aan:
As ‘n kerk bevorder ons die saak van waarheid en geregtigheid in die samelewing en is ons aktief betrokke in die genesing en herstel van ons gemeenskappe.
“Eties” beteken vir ons om te doen wat reg is, volgens die beginsels van die Bybel.
“Sosio-ekonomiese toepaslikheid” verwys na ons betrokkenheid, soos Christus, in die fisiese, ekonomiese en verwante omstandighede waarin mense en gemeenskappe hulself bevind.
Help ander met hulle behoeftes
Steek ŉ hand uit na behoeftige mense
Doen goeie dinge teenoor ander
Maak ŉ verskil in mense se daaglikse lewens.
Dien die algehele persoon
Ons betrokkenheid in ons gemeenskappe is van kardinale belang. Dit vloei uit ons visiestelling: “Ons sien ŉ kerk wat vir alle mense toeganklik is, wat ons eenheid en Godgegewe diversiteit vier, wat ons lidmate bemagtig om om te gee en ons gemeenskappe tot God se glorie te transformeer.”
Ons grootste motivering, om ŉ seëning vir ons gemeenskappe te wees, is nie humanisties of filantropies nie, maar die liefde van God. Onthou dat God Sy Seun gestuur het – nie as sulks vir die kerk nie, maar vir die wêreld. Hy gebruik Sy kerk om Sy instrument te wees om die wêreld, ons gemeenskappe, aan te raak.
Terwyl ons missionale roeping die fondasie van die “One AFM Game Plan” is, is Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid belangrik vir die vervulling van ons missionale roeping. Die mate waartoe ons ŉ impak op ons gemeenskappe het, sal ons sending-gerigte sukses bepaal. Ons impak op ons gemeenskappe kan volgens die welbekende gesegde gemeet word: “Sal jou gemeenskap jou mis as jou kerk sluit?”
Ons lewe en bedien die evangelie in gemeenskappe wat nadelig deur die Bose Een, beïnvloed word. ŉ Groot deel van die Suid-Afrikaanse samelewing ly as gevolg van ons verskriklike sosio-ekonomiese omstandighede. Die kerk kan nie sy afstand hou en bloot die regering of filantropiese organisasies verantwoordelik hou nie, wat ook al die historiese en huidige redes vir hierdie situasie. As ons kan help en mense kan fasiliteer om hulself te help, het ons iets merkwaardig bereik. Die kerk moet sulke mense help deur om te gee, te bemagtig en te deel.
Ons moet egter, in ons betrokkenheid in sosio-ekonomiese sake, op ons hoede wees dat mense nie afhanklik gehou word nie. Dit ontwikkel maklik in ŉ mentaliteit van op iets geregtig wees – ŉ ingesteldheid wat reeds in SA glashelder is. Ons moet mense bemagtig om verantwoordelikheid te neem vir hulle eie lewens en toekoms – met ander woorde, help ander met hulle behoeftes. Ons doen goed as ons mense op betekenisvolle wyse kan help met opleiding en werkskepping.
Daar is, inderdaad, ŉ aantal van ons plaaslike kerke wat in hierdie verband merkwaardige sukses-stories kan vertel.
Antwoord hierdie drie vrae om te bepaal tot watter mate GEMEENSKAPSBETROKKENHEID in jou gemeente toegepas word:
Is jy bewus van die spesifieke behoeftes in jou plaaslike gemeenskap? [Lys en beskryf dit.]
Is jy in staat om die gepaste strategie vir elke behoefte te identifiseer: (1) mobiliseer lidmate om betrokke te raak, (2) tree in vennootskap met bestaande gemeenskapsprojekte/-aktiwiteite of (3) stig/skep ŉ nuwe gemeenskapsprojek van nuuts af.
Watter impak maak hierdie projek op jou gemeenskap? [Beskryf hoe jou gemeenskap as gevolg van hierdie projek verander het.]
Posted on June 24, 2018
Pastoral Letter: 2nd Quarter 2018
AFM Pastoral Letter: Download the PDF version here
On Friday the 25th of May the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa celebrated its 110th birthday! This historic milestone was marked with a special event that was held at the AGS Centurion Assembly in Pretoria, with Pastor Rudi Briel and Mariesa Briel as hosts. The theme for the service was “The Going Gospel – Moving Forward” and illustrated by means of a 110-Year emblem that was specifically designed for the occasion. The main feature of the emblem is the arrow that symbolises the AFM’s apostolic DNA of breaking new ground and moving forward with the mission.
Guests included the National Office Bearers, Regional Office Bearers in and around the Gauteng area (representing AFM regions, networks and national departments), the AFM national office staff, leadership of the AGS Centurion Assembly as well as special guests from the Pentecostal/Charismatic Christian community. In this letter we share the messages that were delivered by our key note speakers that morning. My wish is that this Pastoral Letter will bless you by reminding you:
Where the AFM comes from (Rewind…)
What the current footprint and impact of the AFM is (Pause…)
And where the AFM is heading in the future (Play…)
REWIND – TO MOVE FORWARD, WE NEED TO REMEMBER OUR MISSIONAL ROOTS
Dr. I.S. Burger – Former President of the AFM
The term “Missional” has become a buzz-word in church-circles today, but the concept itself is as old as the church. The church is in fact the result of God’s mission. How far should we then go back? The missional concept starts with God, He is the great Missionary. He is also the first “Sender”. We call this the Missio Dei. The Father sent His Son (John 3:16). The Father and the Son sent the Holy Spirit. Then the Father, Son and Spirit sent us (John 20:21). The church in essence is therefore a “sent-entity”, both individually and collectively.
The early church, particularly in Antioch, was a missional church.
While the church in Jerusalem was centripetal (in other words moving towards the centre), the church in Antioch was centrifugal (in other words moving away from the centre). The church in Jerusalem tend to focus on the Jews and the disciples were reluctant to leave the city. They were also hesitant to acknowledge the Christianization of non-Jews, e.g. Cornelius and his household (Acts 10). Remember also the council-meeting in Jerusalem in Acts 15. Antioch (in modern-day Turkey) was a missional church, sending out Paul and others on different missionary journeys. It is necessary that we evaluate ourselves in this regard. Do we reflect the attitude and mind of the church in Jerusalem or the church in Antioch? To put it differently; are we missional or attractional? Are we a “Go and be” or a “Come and see” church?
“…missionality implies the incarnation of Christ in our communities through us, His Church.”
We have to accept that God’s most important point of connection with the world is not the church building but the market place. We refer to the incarnation of Christ to emphasize the fact that God became man. In a derived sense missionality implies the incarnation of Christ in our communities through us, His Church. Christ must be manifested through us. Acts 4:13, gives expression to this: “They marvelled, and took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
What the early church did not have, was a missionary board or missionary program. Missions was not a program, it was the essence of being church. God’s mission in the world is still redemptive. He wants to use His church as His main instrument. To use the metaphor of a wheel – missions was never intended to be a spoke in the wheel, but the hub, the cone. Every other ministry and activity are the spokes that find their significance, sense and meaning by being part of the hub – anchored in the Missio Dei.
“Missions was not a program, it was the essence of being church.”
While the term/concept of missional is a “modern” word, the true meaning thereof was initially part and parcel of the AFM:
John G Lake and his companions from America came to do mission-work.
The baptism of the Holy Spirit, as in the early church, stirred believers to witness and work for God. (Acts 1:8)
There were only a few full-time workers but many full-time witnesses.
The role of divine healing overcame the negative sentiments of many.
“The early AFM was indeed in practice and spontaneously a Missional Church.”
The early AFM was indeed in practice and spontaneously a Missional Church. It is God’s mission (Missio Dei) that calls the church into existence. We can no longer see the church as the starting point when thinking about mission. The church must be seen as the result of God’s mission. There was a Mission before there was a church. In the words of South African missiologist David Bosch: “It is not the church which undertakes mission; it is the missio Dei which constitutes the church.”
Or stated in a slightly different manner; “It is not so much that God has a mission for his church in the world, but that God has a church for His mission in the world.” (Christopher Wright) The AFM indeed was such a church and ought to be dead-serious to be such again!
PAUSE –  CELEBRATE THE AFM FOOTPRINT IN SA
Dr. H.J. Weideman – General Secretary
The AFM started with one assembly in Doornfontein. At the beginning of 1911 there were 513 untrained workers (338 black & 175 white), sometimes referred to as Apostolic Faith Missionaries. Over the years the AFM grew to over 1.4 million members, structured into 43 Regions and Networks, with 1806 congregations, 2498 pastors, 5 National Departments (Children, Youth, Men, Sisters, Welfare), 9 Specialised Ministries and a Theological College. The administrative Head office is in Central Office Park, 257 Jean Avenue, Centurion.
Early AFM members regarded the missionary task as their main interest and Commission. At that stage the names Apostolic Faith Mission and Apostolic Faith Movement were used alternately as synonyms, even in the minutes of the Executive Council.
“Every member should understand what it means to be missional…”
Today the AFM is in the process of becoming a modern-day missional movement. Every member should understand what it means to be missional and be able to live daily from the basis of being sent into his/her community and every sphere of society, as an agent of change: Impacting the lives of others with the message, values, character and love of Jesus.
Our One AFM Game Plan is the communication platform that re-aligns various levels of AFM leadership with modern-day missionality. Our Missional Strategy was launched in November 2013 and has five drivers, or focus areas namely:
Discipleship -guiding our members to become true followers of Jesus and not only fans. To move believers from only being church members, or spectators to active team members.
Empowerment – of all members for missional living.
Ecumenical Involvement – recognizing the body of Christ as all life-giving churches, working together where possible to fulfil our mission.
Community Involvement – addressing the real needs in our communities, to be socio-economically and Spiritually relevant.
Governance – to structure, lead and govern ourselves with integrity and accountability, as part of our everyday witness as followers of Christ.
Under the leadership of our president, Pastor M.G. Mahlobo the AFM also strives to deepen our unity and cohesion, while celebrating our God-given diversity.
PAUSE – CELEBRATE THE AFM FOOTPRINT GLOBALLY
Rev. F.C. Chikane – President of AFM International
Not many churches have had the privilege of celebrating a 110th year anniversary, especially Pentecostal and Charismatic churches globally. The AFM is one of the oldest Pentecostal churches born out of the Azusa Street Revival in Los Angeles, California, USA. The AFM International has a presence in about 35 countries found in 6 continents of the world. The AFM was born out of the power of the Holy Spirit (Revival led by the Spirit). The AFM’s growth globally took place in 5 “waves”:
“The AFM International has a presence in about 35 countries found in 6 continents of the world.”
The Acts Way. Ordinary converts (in the era of the diamonds and gold rush and miners from neighbouring states) becoming witness to what they had experienced (Acts 1:8).
Organised missions. Covering the Southern African region, Kenya, Russia, and Nigeria.
Decentralised forms of mission. Individual congregations, hubs, lone missionaries etc. Covering Belgium, Brazil, Portugal, Mauritius, Russia, India, Pakistan, Fiji etc.
The Zimbabwe model. Political and economic crisis leading to migration to other parts of the world – wherever they found themselves they planted the AFM – covering the UK, Ireland, USA, Australia, United Arab Emirates etc.
Discipling the World (on our doorsteps) in South Africa and sending them back to countries where they came from, for example Ethiopia and Eritrea.
The unity that was achieved in the AFM in 1996 opened the door for the development, growth and expansion of “mission” churches. Outreach to challenging areas, and the development of the international fellowship of AFM churches internationally followed, that is the AFM International.
“I hope that all AFM members can be like Hezmalhalch and Lake and act as missional agents to reach the unreached and the post Christians of the world.”
I doubt that Thomas Hezmalhalch and John G Lake and their party ever thought that what they had planted would be what it is today. The lesson we must learn is that small things (or what we consider as insignificant) – like the mustard seed – can lead to great things! I hope that all AFM members can be like Hezmalhalch and Lake and act as missional agents to reach the unreached and the post Christians of the world.
PLAY – THE AFM IS MOVING FORWARD INTO THE FUTURE!
Past. M.G. Mahlobo – President
One of the significant changes from the inception date of the church to the current times, is the context in which the church finds itself today. Commuting systems changed from coal and steam locomotives to the rapid railway system (such as speed trains like the Gautrain). The pace of communication is much quicker than in 1908. This is evident in the gradual replacement of “snail mail” by emails and social network options. The availability of information is abundant and easily accessible.
Our world has been reduced into a “small village.” All these changes have their advantages and disadvantages, but these changes have brought more positives than negatives for the spreading of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. They have made it possible for the church to reach a vast number of people all over the world within a short space of time.
On the negative side these developments have also facilitated the spreading of a secularizing culture. This secular culture tends to confine faith into a private personal matter – which is contrary to the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20). It thrives on humanistic tendencies which promote human interest and push God to the periphery (materialism and hedonism). In this context the sole driving force for existence would is the ‘pursuit of happiness’. Religious pluralism is “the belief that the differences between the religions are not a matter of truth and falsehood, but of different perceptions of the one truth”. All these negatives present the church with an opportunity to represent God’s Kingdom by being the salt and the light of the world (Matthew 5:13-14).
The vision of the AFM is: “We see a church (AFM) that is accessible to all people, celebrating its unity and a God-given diversity, empowering its members for caring and transforming communities to the glory of God.” The vision statement reflects four critical components:
The rise of the missional church is the single biggest development in Christianity since the Reformation. Being missional is not doing “church-as-usual”. Going missional requires three shifts. These shifts have to do with ministry focus, people development and the leadership agenda. It is a shift from internal to external in terms of ministry focus, from program development to people development in terms of core activity and from church-based to kingdom-based in terms of leadership agenda (Reggie McNeal 2009).
The early history of the AFM of SA bears an unmistakable evidence that every activity in the church was driven by the passion to win souls through the Gospel of Jesus Christ. This instinctive obedience to the Great Commission was part and parcel of being filled with the Holy Spirit. This is how we should understand our name: Apostolic Faith Mission.
“We want to be a community of God’s people that defines and organizes its life around its real purpose…”
That is why the concept of missional church is the basis for our strategy. We want to be a community of God’s people that defines and organizes its life around its real purpose –that of being an agent of God’s mission to the world. It is a church whose members and leaders regard themselves as the “sent people of God – sent on the Mission of Jesus.” Our One AFM Game Plan is the platform we use to create understanding about our missionality and also on how to practically implement.
On our journey to become a missional church again, there are two major shifts that will guide future implementation – and it has to do with our members and our Pastors.
Members. At its inception the AFM did not make a distinction between lay and clergy members. We referred to each other as Brothers and Sisters. Every member and leader of the church was expected to be a witness of Jesus Christ through the power of the Holy Spirit wherever he/she was. This is how the AFM grew to be what it is today in South Africa, in various African countries and other parts of the world. Ordinary AFM members who were baptized with the Holy Spirit were on fire to share their testimonies. And the Lord worked with them, confirming their witnesses through signs and wonders. The key to being a missional church lies with its members. Its members act as apostolic agents in the world. My message to our members is none other than the one ascribed to Francis of Assisi: “Preach the Gospel all the time, if necessary use the words”. Our conduct should speak louder than our words and sermons.
“The key to being a missional church lies with its members.”
Pastors. One of the key shifts that our pastors will have to make is to becoming coaches. This may be illustrated as a shift from being just a Shepherd to being a Coach. The table below show some of the most important differences between the two:
I trust that this Pastoral Letter took you on a journey into the AFM’s missional past, current footprint in South Africa and globally and its glorious future! My message to you is to keep on “Moving Forward” as a church. May God continue to use the AFM as His instrument to accomplish His Mission in this world. May every AFM member claim their position as a modern-day Apostolic agent and Kingdom Worker. May every AFM Pastor and Leader step into their role as coach and equipper of the saints – empowering our members to transform and care for their communities. In such a way glorifies God.
Forward AFM! Forward with the “Going Gospel”!
Posted on June 24, 2018
AGS Pastorale Brief: 2de Kwartaal 2018
AGS Pastorale Brief: Laai die PDF weergawe hier af
Op Vrydag die 25ste Mei is die Apostoliese Geloofsending van Suid Afrika se 110de verjaarsdag gevier!  Hierdie historiese mylpaal is gevier met ‘n spesiale byeenkoms wat gehou is by die AGS Centurion gemeente in Pretoria met Pastoor Rudi Briel en Mariesa Briel as gasheer en gasvrou. Die tema van die diens was “The Going Gospel – Moving Forward” en is uitgebeeld deur middel van ‘n 110-jaar embleem wat spesifiek vir die geleentheid ontwerp was. Die kern van die embleem is die pyl wat simbolies is van die AGS se apostoliese DNA – simbolies van nuwe grond wat betreë word en die missie wat voortgedra word.
Die gaste was onder andere die Nasionale Ampsdraers, Streeks Ampsdraers in en rondom die Gauteng provinsie (verteenwoordigend van streke, netwerke en nasionale departemente), die AGS Nasionale Kantoor personeel, die leierskap van die AGS Centurion gemeente asook spesiale gaste van die Pinkster/Charismatiese Christen gemeenskap. In hierdie brief deel ons die boodskap wat gelewer is deur ons gassprekers op daardie oggend. My wens is dat hierdie Pastorale Brief jou sal seën deur jou te herinner aan:
Waar die AGS vandaan kom (Kyk terug…)
Die huidige impak en groei van die AGS (Kyk om ons…)
Die toekomspad van die AGS (Kyk vorentoe…)
KYK TERUG… – OM VORENTOE TE BEWEEG MOET ONS ONTHOU WAAR ONS MISSIONALITEIT VANDAAN KOM
Dr. I.S. Burger – Voormalige President van die AGS
Die term “missionaal” het vandag ‘n sleutelwoord in kerkkringe geword, maar die konsep self is net so oud soos die kerk. Die kerk is in werklikheid die resultaat van God se missie. Hoe ver moet ons dan terug kyk? Die missionale konsep begin met God, Hy is die groot Sendeling. Hy is ook die eerste Afsender.  Ons noem dit die Missio Dei.  Die Vader stuur Sy Seun (Joh 3:16). Die Vader en die Seun stuur die Heilige Gees. Dan stuur die Vader, Seun en Heilige Gees ons (Joh 20:21). Die kerk is in wese a gestuurde entiteit, beide individueel en kollektief.
Die vroeë kerk, in besonder die kerk in Antioch, was ‘n missionale kerk.
Die kerk in Jerusalem was sentripetaal (m.a.w. middelpuntsoekend – beweeg na die middelpunt) terwyl die kerk in Antioch sentrifugaal was  (m.a.w. middelpuntvliedend – beweeg weg van die middelpunt).  Die kerk in Jerusalem was geneig om te fokus op die Jode en die dissipels was teësinnig om die stad te verlaat. Hulle was ook huiwerig om die bekering van nie-Jode te erken, bv. Cornelius en sy huishouding (Handelinge 10). Onthou ook die raadsvergadering in Handelinge 15. Antioch (in hedendaagse Turkeye) was ‘n missionale kerk wat Paul, sowel as ander, op verskillende missionale reise gestuur het.  Dit is nodig dat ons onsself evalueer ten opsigte van hierdie aspek. Reflekteer ons die houding en ingesteldheid van die kerk in Jerusalem of van die kerk in Antioch?  Om dit anders te stel:  is ons “missional” of “attractional”?  Is ons ‘n “Gaan en wees” kerk of ‘n “Kom en kyk” kerk?
“…impliseer missionaliteit die inkarnasie van Christus in ons gemeenskappe deur óns, Sy Kerk.”
Ons moet aanvaar dat God se belangrikste ontmoetingspunt met die wêreld nie ‘n kerkgebou is nie, maar die markplein (m.a.w. daar waar mense daagliks funksioneer). Ons verwys na die inkarnasie van Christus om te benadruk dat God mens geword het. In ‘n afgeleide betekenis impliseer missionaliteit die inkarnasie van Christus in ons gemeenskappe deur óns, Sy Kerk.  Christus moet sigbaar wees deur ons. Hand 4:13 gee uitdrukking hieraan:  “En toe hulle die vrymoedigheid van Petrus en Johannes sien en verstaan dat hulle ongeleerde en eenvoudige manne was, was hulle verwonderd en het hulle as metgeselle van Jesus herken.”
Wat die vroeë kerk nie gehad het nie, was ‘n missionale bestuursraad of ‘n missionale program.  Sendingwerk was nie ‘n “program” nie, dit was die wese en kern van kerk-wees.  God se missie in die wêreld is nog steeds verlossend.  Hy wil Sy kerk gebruik as Sy hoof instrument.  Om die metafoor van ‘n wiel te gebruik – sendingwerk was nooit bedoel om ‘n speek in die wiel te wees nie, maar die wielnaaf (of te wel die “hub”), die kern.  Alle ander bedieninge en aktiwiteite is die speke wat hulle belangrikheid, waarde en betekenis vind deur deel te wees van die wielnaaf – geankerd in die Missio Dei.
“Sendingwerk was nie ‘n “program” nie, dit was die wese en kern van kerk-wees.”
Terwyl die term/konsep missionaal ‘n “moderne” woord is, was die ware betekenis daarvan aanvanklik deel van die AGS:
John G Lake en sy metgeselle kom vanaf Amerika om sending/missionale werk te doen.
Die doping van die Heilige Gees, net soos in die vroeë kerk, het gelowiges gemobiliseer om te getuig en te werk vir God.  (Hand 1:8)
Daar was slegs ‘n paar voltydse werkers, maar menigte voltydse getuies.
Die rol van Goddellike genesing het die negatiewe sentimente van baie oorkom.
“Die vroeë AGS was inderdaad in praktyk en spontaan ‘n missionale kerk.”
Die vroeë AGS was inderdaad in praktyk en spontaan ‘n missionale kerk.  Dit is God se missie (Missio Dei) wat die kerk in bestaan roep. Ons kan nie langer die kerk sien as die beginpunt wanneer daar oor missionaliteit gedink word nie.  Die kerk moet gesien word as die resultaat van God se missie. Daar was ‘n missie voordat daar ‘n kerk was.  In die woorde van ‘n Suid-Afrikaanse missioloog David Bosch:  “It is not the church which undertakes mission; it is the missio Dei which constitutes the church.”
Of om dit op ‘n ietwat ander manier te sê:  “It is not so much that God has a mission for his church in the world, but that God has a church for His mission in the world.” (Christopher Wright). Die AGS was inderdaad so ‘n kerk en behoort baie ernstig daaroor te wees om weer so te wees.
KYK OM ONS… – VIER DIE AGS SE IMPAK IN SUID-AFRIKA
Dr. H.J. Weideman – Algemene Sekretaris
Die AGS het met een gemeente in Doornfontein begin. In die begin van 1911 was daar 513 onopgeleide werkers (338 swart & 175 wit), waarna soms verwys is as die “Apostolic Faith Missionaries”. Oor die jare het die AGS gegroei tot 1.4 miljoen lede, gestruktureerd in 43 streke en netwerke, 1806 gemeentes, 2498 Pastore, 5 nasionale departemente (Kinder, Jeug, Mans, Susters, Welsyn), 9 gespesialiseerde bedieninge en ‘n Teologiese Kollege. Die administratiewe Hoofkantoor is in Central Office Park, Jeanstraat 257, Centurion.
Vroeë AGS lidmate het die missionale taak beskou as hulle hooftaak, kommissie of opdrag. Op daardie stadium was die name “Apostoliese Geloofsending” en “Apostoliese Geloofsbeweging” gebruik as sinonieme, selfs in die notules van die Uitvoerende Raad.
“Elke lidmaat behoort te verstaan wat dit beteken om
Vandag is die AGS in die proses om ‘n hedendaagse missionale beweging te word.  Elke lidmaat behoort te verstaan wat dit beteken om missionaal te wees: Om daagliks te lewe vanaf die basis om “gestuur” te wees in sy/haar gemeenskap en op elke terrein van die samelewing as ‘n agent van verandering op te tree. Elke lidmaat behoort ‘n impak te maak op die lewens van ander met die boodskap, waardes, karakter en liefde van Jesus.
Ons “One AFM Game Plan” is die kommunikasie platform wat verskeie vlakke van AGS leierskap herbelyn met hendendaagse missionaliteit. Ons missionale strategie is geloods gedurende November 2013 en het vyf drywers of fokuspunte, naamlik:
Dissipelskap –begeleiding van ons lidmate om ware volgelinge van Jesus te word en nie net slegs aanhangers (of te wel “fans”) nie. Om gelowiges te begelei om nie net kerklidmate of toeskouers te wees nie, maar aktiewe spanlede in die Groot Opdrag.
Bemagtiging – van alle lidmate tot ‘n missionale leefwyse.
Ekumeniese Betrokkenheid – om die liggaam van Christus te herken as alle lewegewende kerke en saam te werk, waar moontlik, om ons missie te vervul.
Gemeenskapsbetrokkenheid – om die ware behoeftes in ons gemeenskappe aan te spreek, om sosio-ekonomies en geestelik relevant te wees.
Goeie Bestuur – om te struktureer, te lei en onsself te bestuur met integriteit en aanspreeklikheid as deel van ons alledaagse getuienis as volgelinge van Christus.
Onder die leierskap van ons president, Pastoor M.G. Mahlobo streef die AGS om ook ons eenheid en samehorigheid te versterk terwyl ons ons Godgegewe-diversiteit vier.
KYK OM ONS… – VIER DIE AGS SE INTERNASIONALE IMPAK
Rev. F.C. Chikane – President van AGS Internasionaal
Nie baie kerke, veral Pinkster en Charismatiese kerke wêreldwyd, het die voorreg gehad om 110 jaar te vier nie. Die AGS is een van die oudste Pinksterkerke gebore vanuit die Azusastraat Herlewing in Los Angeles, California, VSA.  Die AGS internasionaal het ‘n teenwoordigheid in omtrent 35 lande in 6 kontinente van die wêreld.  Die AGS is gebore vanuit die krag van die Heilige Gees (Herlewing gelei deur die Gees).  Die AGS se groei het globaal plaasgevind in 5 fases:
“Die AGS internasionaal het ‘n teenwoordigheid in omtrent 35 lande in 6 kontinente van die wêreld.”
Die Handelinge Manier. Gewonde bekeerlinge (in die era van die diamant en goud stormloop en myners vanaf buurstate) wat getuies word van wat hulle beleef het (Handelinge 1:8).
Georganiseerde missies. Strek oor die Suidelike Afrika streek, Kenia, Rusland en Nigerië.
Gedesentraliseerde vorms van missie. Individuele gemeentes, “hubs”, alleen sendelinge ens.  Strek oor België, Brazilië, Portugal, Mauritius, Rusland, Indië, Pakaistan, Fiji ens.
Die Zimbabwe model. Politiese en ekonomiese krisis wat lei tot migrasie na ander dele van die wêreld – waar hulle ookal hulself bevind het, het hulle AGS gemeentes geplant – strek oor Groot-Brittanje, Ierland, VSA, Australië, Verenigde Arabiese Emirate ens.
Dissipelmaking van die wêreld (op ons drumpel) in Suid-Afrika en stuur hulle terug na die lande waarvandaan hulle kom, byvoorbeeld Ethiopië en Eritrea.
Die eenheid wat in die AGS in 1996 bereik is, het die deur geopen vir die ontwikkeling, groei en uitbreiding van “missionale” kerke. Uitreiking na uitdagende gebiede en die ontwikkeling van AGS kerke internasionaal het gevolg.
“Ek hoop dat alle AGS lidmate soos Hezmalhalch en Lake kan wees en optreë as missionale agente om die onbereikbares te bereik, asook die “post”-christene van die wêreld.”
Ek tywfel dat Thomas Hezmalhalch, John G Lake en hulle span ooit kon besef het dat dit wat hulle geplant het sou groei tot waar die AGS vandag is. Die les wat ons hieruit moet leer is dat klein dingetjies (of wat ons beskou as onbeduidend) – soos die mosterdsaad – kan lei tot groot dinge!  Ek hoop dat alle AGS lidmate soos Hezmalhalch en Lake kan wees en optreë as missionale agente om die onbereikbares te bereik, asook die “post”-christene van die wêreld.
KYK VORENTOE… – DIE AGS BEWEEG DIE TOEKOMS IN!
Past. M.G. Mahlobo – President
Een van die mees beduidende veranderinge sedert die ontstaansdatum van die kerk tot nou, is die konteks waarin die kerk vandag funksioneer. Pendelstelsels het verander vanaf kool en stoom lokomotiewe na die vinnige spoorwegstelsel (spoedtreine, soos die Gautrein). Die tempo van kommunikasie is baie vinniger as in 1908.  Dit word duidelik gesien in die geleidelike vervanging van “slakkepos” deur e-posse en sosiale netwerk opsies. Inligting is in oorvloed beskikbaar en maklik toegangklik.
Ons wêreld het verklein tot ‘n “small village”. Al hierdie veranderinge het voordele en nadele, maar die veranderinge het ‘n meer positiewe as negatiewe impak op die verspreiding van die Evangelie van Jesus Christus. Dit is nou moontlik vir die kerk om ‘n groot getal mense regoor die wêreld te bereik binne ‘n kort tydperk.
Aan die negatiewe kant het hierdie veranderinge ook tot die verspreiding van ‘n sekulariserende kultuur gelei. Hierdie sekulêre kultuur neig om geloof te beperk tot ‘n private, persoonlike aangeleentheid – wat kontrasterend is met die Groot Opdrag (Mattheus 28:18-20).  Dit gedy op humanistiese neigings wat die menslike belangstelling bevorder en God wegstoot na die buitekant (materialisme en hedonisme). In hierdie konteks is die engiste dryfveer tussen die gelowe nie ‘n saak van waarheid of onwaarheid nie, maar van verskillende persepsies van “een” waarheid.  Al hierdie negatiewe aspekte bied aan die kerk ‘n geleentheid om God se Koninkryk te verteenwoordig deur die sout en die lig van die wêreld te wees.  (Matteus 5:13-14)
“Ons sien ‘n kerk (AGS) wat toeganklik is vir alle mense, wat eenheid en ‘n Godgegewe-diversiteit vier, wat lidmate bemagtig om met sorg gemeenskappe te transformeer tot die glorie van God.” Die visie verklaring reflekteer 4 kritiese komponente:
Die opkoms van die missionale kerk is die enkele grootste ontwikkeling in die Christendom sedert Reformasie.  Om missionaal te wees is nie “kerk-soos-gewoonlik” nie. Daar word 3 skuiwe benodig om missionaal te wees. Hierdie skuiwe het te doen met bedieningsfokus, mense-ontwikkeling en die leierskap agenda. Dit is ‘n verskuiwing van interne na ‘n eksterne bedieningsfokus, van program-ontwikkeling tot mense-ontwikkeling en vanaf kerk-gebaseerd na Koninkryk-gebaseerd in terme van die leierskap agenda (Reggie McNeal 2009).
Die vroeë geskiedenis van die AGS dra onmiskenbare bewys dat elke aktiwiteit in die kerk gedrewe was deur die passie om siele te wen deur die Evangelie van Jesus Christus. Hierdie instinktiewe gehoorsaamheid aan die Groot Opdrag was deel daarvan om gevul te wees met die Heilige Gees. Dit is hoe ons ons naam moet verstaan:  Apostoliese Geloofsending.
“Ons wil ‘n gemeenskap van God se mense wees wat hulself definieer en organiseer rondom die ware doel van die kerk “
Dit is hoekom die konsep van missionale kerk die basis is van ons strategie. Ons wil ‘n gemeenskap van God se mense wees wat hulself definieer en organiseer rondom die ware doel van die kerk – om ‘n agent te wees van God se missie in hierdie wêreld. Dit is ‘n kerk waar lidmate en leiers hulle self sien as “gestuurde” mense van God – “gestuur” op die missie van Jesus. Ons “One AFM Game Plan” is die platform wat ons gebruik om begrip aangaande ons missionaliteit en ook praktiese implementering teweeg te bring.
Op ons reis om weer ‘n missionale kerk te word is daar twee groot skuiwe wat toekomstige implementering sal lei – en dit het te doen met ons lidmate en ons Pastore.
Lidmate. Met die ontstaan van die AGS was daar nie ‘n onderskeiding gemaak tussen “lay” en “clergy” lede nie. Ons het na mekaar verwys as Broeders en Susters. Daar was van elke lidmaat en leier van die kerk verwag om ‘n getuie van Jesus Christus te wees deur die krag van die Heilige Gees, daar waar hy/sy ookal hul bevind. Dit is hoe die AGS gegroei het tot die kerk wat dit vandag is in Suid-Afrika, verskillende Afrika lande en ander dele van die wêreld.  Gewone AGS lidmate wat gedoop was met die Heilige Gees was aangevuur om hulle getuienisse te deel. God het met hulle gewerk, hulle getuienis bevestig deur tekens en wonderwerke.  Die sleutel tot ‘n missionale kerk lê by die lidmate.  Die lidmate treë op as apostoliese agente in die wêreld. My boodskap aan ons lidmate is geen ander as die boodskap wat toegeskryf word aan Francis van Assisi: “Preach the Gospel all the time, if necessary use the words”.  Ons gedrag moet harder praat as ons woorde en preke.
“Die sleutel tot ‘n missionale kerk lê by die lidmate.”
Pastore. Een van die hoof skuiwe wat ons pastore moet maak is om “coaches” te word. Dit kan die beste geillustreer word as ‘n verskuiwing vanaf net ‘n “Herder” wees, na ‘n “Coach” wees. Die tabel hieronder wys van die mees belangrike verskille tussen die twee rolle:
Ek vertrou dat hierdie Pastorale Brief jou op ‘n reis gevat het na die AGS se missionale verlede, huidige impak in Suid-Afrika en die wêreld, asook ons glorieryke toekoms! My boodskap aan jou: As kerk, hou aan beweeg in die toekoms in! Mag God aanhou om die AGS en ander lewensgewende kerke te gebruik as Sy instrument om Sy missie in die wêreld te bereik.
Mag elke AGS lidmaat hulle posisie as hedendaagse Apostoliese Agente en Koninkrykswerkers opeis.  Mag elke AGS Pastoor en leier in hulle rol as afrigter, “coach” en toeruster van die gelowiges instap – en ons lidmate bemagtig om hulle gemeenskappe met sorg te verander na ‘n plek waar God verheerlik word.
Voorwaarts AGS!  Voorwaarts met die “Going Gospel”!
Posted on June 1, 2018June 1, 2018
Newsflash: Friday, 1 June
Download the Newsflash in PDF format:
1 JUNE ENG 2018
1. THE AFM OF SA CELEBRATED 110 YEARS!
CENTURION ON 25 MAY 2018
On Friday the 25th of May the Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa celebrated its 110th birthday! This historic milestone was celebrated with a special event that was held at the AGS Centurion Assembly in Pretoria, with Pastor Rudi Briel and Mariesa Briel as hosts. The theme for the service was “The Going Gospel – Moving Forward” and demonstrated by means of a 110 Year emblem that was specifically designed for the occasion. The main feature of the emblem is the arrow that symbolises the AFM’s apostolic DNA of breaking new ground and moving forward with the mission.
Guests included the National Office Bearers, Regional Office Bearers in and around the Gauteng area (representing regions, networks and national departments), the AFM national office staff, leadership from the AGS Centurion Assembly as well as special guests from the Pentecostal/Charismatic Christian community. The programme was divided into three main sections.
The first section was titled “Rewind – to move forward we need to understand where we come from”. The guests were pleasantly surprised when they heard the programme director, Past. Rudi Coertzen (Regional Leader of the East Rand Region) call Past. Dudley Goodenough, the great grandson of Mrs. C.L. Goodenough to the stage. It is well known in the AFM’s history that Mrs. Goodenough was the sent one to receive two American missionaries (Jong G. Lake and Thomas Hezmalhalch) at the Johannesburg Park train station in May in 1908. He delivered a beautiful rendition of her life. Connecting further with our roots and history, Dr. I.S. Burger (Former President of the AFM of SA) talked about missionality and how the early church was spontaneously and practically a missional church. He reminded us that the church is in the business of “sending” – in the business of MISSION (John 3:16). Every AFM member is sent to “go and be church”, a representative of Christ in the world.
The second section reflected on the current impact and growth of the AFM and was titled: “Pause – the current footprint of the AFM in South Africa and globally.” Dr. H.J. Weideman (General Secretary) did a presentation on the growth that the AFM experienced from 1911 to 2018 as illustrated in the figure below:
Dr. H.J. Weideman also explained that the AFM is in the process of becoming a modern day missional movement and made reference to the One AFM Game Plan – the AFM’s Missional Strategy that was launched in 2013. To give perspective on the AFM’s footprint globally, Rev. F.C. Chikane (President of AFM International) reported on the AFM presence in approximately 35 countries on 6 continents of the world. The unity that was achieved in 1996 resulted in many new international opportunities for the church.Past. M.G. Mahlobo (President of the AFM) concluded with the last section titled: “Play – where is the AFM heading in the future?”. The President provided the modern-day context in which followers of Jesus find themselves in today. The vision of the AFM was reinforced: “We see a church (AFM) that is accessible to all people, celebrating its unity and God-given diversity, empowering its members for caring and transforming communities to the glory of God”.
He also casted clear vision on the two major shifts for the AFM as the church is heading into the future:
Moving from a passive member to an active modern-day missionary. May every AFM member understand what it means to be “sent” by God impacting the lives of others with the love, character and message of Jesus.
Moving from Pastor/Shepherd to Coach. May every AFM Pastor understand what it means to be a missional coach by empowering members to become modern-day missionaries in their communities. May AFM assemblies be breeding grounds for these apostolic modern-day agents.
The event was concluded with a powerful poem by Past. PN Kekana titled “The AFM on the move!”. This poem was especially written for the 110th birthday celebration and was the perfect ending to a blessed celebration service!
Various regional structures and assemblies hosted their own 110th birthday celebration services – it was wonderful to attend some of these events and also see video clips posted by AFM assemblies on social media. (Please do remember to tag “@The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa” so that we can see the celebrations from a national level.) For those that still want to host their own celebrations, we would like to make the resources available. All available resources can be downloaded from the AFM website link below:
2. AFM GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING (GBM) 2018
The AFM National Office is looking forward to hosting the 2018 General Business Meeting. We can confirm the following:
Date:                                                  9-13 September 2018
Venue:                                              AFM Woord en Lewe (Boksburg)
Early Registration Fee:             R300 per person before/on 30 June
Late Registration Fee:              R350 per person
Please take note that a Circular will be distributed to all assemblies. For an electronic copy refer to the Events page on the AFM website: http://afm-ags.org/category/events/. On this page you will also find:
3. LAND EXPROPRIATION WITHOUT COMPENSATION: AFM PRESENTATION
The AFM presentation is available from the AFM website and can be downloaded from the following link:
4. EMPOWERED21 AFRICAN CONGRESS: A GATHERING OF NOTE
BOKSBURG ON 16-19 MAY 2018
The theme of the Congress was “Living to impact generations through the Holy Spirit.” – and part of the overall vision of Empowered21 which is:
“That every person living on earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033.”
Both the theme of the Congress and the vision of Empowered21 are in tune with the AFM’s strategy to become a missional church. My appeal is that we should find ways in which we can embrace the theme and make it our motto. The Congress was attended by approximately 2,000 delegates from 50 countries. Some of the highlights of the Congress included:
A 2,400-voice children’s choir filling the stage, all dressed in white shirts, captivating the delegates with animated praise and worship songs. Apostle, Dr Opoku Onyinah, one of the co-chairs for this Congress had this to say about the children’s choir: “It moved me to the core of my being and brought tears to hear these children commit their love to Christ in song and spoken word to the 2033 challenge of Empowered21—to see every person on earth have an authentic encounter with the Holy Spirit by 2033.”
The Empowered21 Africa Congress ended on Saturday, May 19 as more than 1,100 young people came forth to be anointed for ministry. Dr. Billy Wilson, president of Oral Roberts University and global co-chair of Empowered21, remarked: “To see the altar filled with young leaders under the age of 35 ready to accept their destiny to make a spiritual impact as Spirit-empowered leaders was amazing. It was an honor to pray over them as the future doctors, lawyers, presidents, evangelists, pastors, bishops, government officials and professors…the next generation of leaders for the nations of Africa.”
Empowered21 is a useful platform for Spirit-empowered churches and ministries to reflect on the ministry of the church and to share ministry resources. Some of these resources are available on its webpage: http://empowered21.com/. I would like to take this opportunity to thank all AFM pastors and members who prayed for the success of this event and those who attended.
Posted on June 1, 2018
Nuusflits: Vrydag, 1 Junie
Laai die Nuusflits af in PDF formaat:
1 JUNE AFR 2018
1. DIE AGS VAN SA SE 110 JAAR FEESVIERINGE!
CENTURION – 25 MEI 2018
Op Vrydag die 25ste Mei is die Apostoliese Geloofsending van Suid Afrika se 110de verjaarsdag gevier!  Hierdie historiese mylpaal is gevier met ‘n spesiale byeenkoms wat gehou is by die AGS Centurion gemeente in Pretoria met Pastoor Rudi Briel en Mariesa Briel as gasheer en gasvrou. Die tema van die diens was “The Going Gospel – Moving Forward” en is uitgebeeld deur middel van ‘n 110-jaar embleem wat spesifiek vir die geleentheid ontwerp was. Die kern aspek van die embleem is die pyl wat simbolies is van die AGS se apostoliese DNA – simbolies van nuwe grond wat betreë word en die missie wat voortgedra word.
Die gaste was onder andere die Nasionale Ampsdraers, Streeks Ampsdraers in en rondom die Gauteng provinsie (verteenwoordigend van streke, netwerke en nasionale departemente), die AGS Nasionale Kantoor pesoneel, die leierskap van die AGS Centurion gemeente asook spesiale gaste van die Pinkster/Charismatiese Christen gemeenskap. Die program was verdeel in drie hoof afdelings.
Die eerste afdeling was getiteld: “Rewind – to move forward we need to understand where we come from”. Die gaste was aangenaam verras om te hoor toe die program koördineerder, Past. Rudi Coertzen (Streeksleier van die Oos Rand), vir Past. Dudley Goodenough (die agterkleinseun van Mev. C.L. Goodenough) na die verhoog roep. Dit is welbekend in die AGS se geskiedenis dat Mev. Goodenough gestuur was om twee Amerikaanse sendelinge (John G. Lake en Thomas Hezmalhalch) by die Johannesburg Park treinstasie te ontvang in Mei 1908. Hy het ‘n pragtige weergawe van haar lewe gegee. Dr. I.S. Burger (Vorige President van die AGS van SA) het verder ons wortels en geskiedenis met mekaar verbind deur sy bydrae oor missionaliteit en hoe die vroeë kerk spontaan en prakties ‘n missionale kerk was. Hy het ons herinner dat die kerk ‘n gestuurde entiteit is – dat die kerk primêr in die besigheid is van MISSIONALITEIT (Johannes 3:16). Elke AGS lidmaat is gestuur om “kerk te gaan wees”, ‘n verteenwoordiger van Christus in die wêreld.
Die tweede afdeling het die huidige impak en groei van die AGS gereflekteer en was getiteld:  “Pause – the current footprint of the AFM in South Africa and globally.” Dr. H.J. Weideman (Algemene Sekretaris) het verduidelik hoe die AGS sedert 1911 tot 2018 gegroei het. Hierdie groei is uitgebeeld in die figuur hieronder:
Dr. H.J. Weideman het ook verduidelik dat die AGS in die proses is om ‘n moderne en hedendaagse missionale beweging te word en het verwys na die “One AFM Game Plan” – die AGS se missionale strategie wat afgeskop is in 2013.  Om meer perspektief op die AGS se globale impak te gee het Past. F.C. Chikane (President van AGS Internasionaal) berig oor die AGS se teenwoordigheid in ongeveer 35 lande en 6 kontinente van die wêreld. Die eenheid wat bereik was in 1996 het gelei tot vele nuwe internasionale geleenthede vir die kerk.
Past. M.G. Mahlobo (President van die AGS) het die laaste afdeling aangespreek, getiteld: “Play – where is the AFM heading in the future?”.  Die President het ‘n moderne en hedendaagse konteks voorgelê waarin volgelinge van Jesus hulleself vandag bevind. Die visie van die AGS is herbeklemtoon:  “We see a church (AFM) that is accessible to all people, celebrating its unity and God-given diversity, empowering its members for caring and transforming communities to the glory of God”.
Hy het ook ‘n duidelike visie gelewer oor die twee belangrikste verskuiwings in die toekoms van die AGS en die proses om ‘n missionale kerk te word:
Die skuif vanaf ‘n passiewe lidmaat na ‘n aktiewe moderne apostoliese agent. Mag elke AGS lidmaat verstaan wat dit beteken om “gestuur” te wees deur God en sodoende die lewens van ander te impakteer met die liefde, karakter en boodskap van Jesus.
Die skuif vanaf Pastoor/Herder na “Coach” (afrigter). Mag elke AGS Pastoor verstaan wat dit beteken om ‘n missionale afrigter te wees en lidmate te bemagtig om moderne en hedendaagse sendelinge in hulle eie plaaslike gemeenskappe te word. Mag AGS gemeentes die kweekhuise word vir die vorming van apostoliese, moderne en hedendaagse Christus agente.
Die byeenkoms is afgesluit met ‘n kragtige gedig deur Past. P.N. Kekane getiteld:  “The AFM on the move!”  Hierdie gedig was spesiaal geskryf vir die 110de verjaarsdagvieringe en was die perfekte einde van ‘n geseënde feesdiens!
Verskillende streekstrukture en hulle gemeentes het hulle eie 110de verjaarsdag feesdienste gehou – dit was wonderlik om sommige van hierdie byeenkomste by te woon en om die video grepe te sien wat op sosiale media geplaas is. (Onthou om “@The Apostolic Faith Mission of South Africa” te tag sodat ons ook die feesvieringe kan geniet vanaf ‘n nasionale vlak).
Vir diegene wat nog hul eie feesvieringe wil hou, is daar hulpbronne beskikbaar wat afgelaai kan word op die AGS se webtuiste:
2. AGS ALGEMENE BESIGHEIDSVERGADERING (GBM) 2018
Die AGS Nasionale kantoor sien uit daarna om die gasheer te wees van die 2018 Algemene Besigheidsvergadering.  Ons kan die volgende bevestig:
Datum:                                            9-13 September 2018
Plek:                                                AGS Woord en Lewe (Boksburg)
Vroeë Registrasie Fooi:               R300 per persoon voor/op 30 Junie
Laat Registrasie Fooi:                  R350 per persoon
Neem asseblief kennis dat ‘n omsendbrief versprei sal word aan alle gemeentes.  Vir ‘n elektroniese afskrif verwys na die “Events” blad van die AGS webtuiste:  http://afm-ags.org/category/events/.  Op hierdie blad is die volgende ook te vinde:
3. GROND ONTEIENING SONDER VERGOEDING: AGS AANBIEDING
Die aanbieding is beskikbaar en kan afgelaai word vanaf die volgende skakel op die AGS webblad:
4. EMPOWERED21 AFRIKA KONGRES: ‘n BESONDERE BYEENKOMS
BOKSBURG OP 16-19 MAY 2018
Die tema van die kongres was “Living to impact generations through the Holy Spirit.” – en vorm deel van die algehele visie van Empowered21 naamlik:
“That every person living on earth would have an authentic encounter with Jesus Christ through the power and presence of the Holy Spirit by Pentecost 2033.”
Beide die tema van die Kongres en die visie van Empowered21 is in harmonie met die AGS se strategie om ‘n missionale kerk te word. My versoek is dat ons maniere sal vind om die tema te omhels en dit ons eie slagspreuk te maak. Die Kongres is bygewoon deur ongeveer 2,000 afgevaardigdes vanaf 50 lande.  Sommige van die hoogtepunte van die Kongres sluit in:
‘n 2,400 stemme kinderkoor wat die verhoog vol gestaan het, almal gekleë in wit hemde. Hulle het die gehoor bekoor met sielvolle lof en aanbiddings liedere.  Apostel, Dr Opaku Onyinah, een van die mede-voorsitters van die Kongres het die volgende te sê gehad oor die kinderkoor:  “It moved me to the core of my being and brought tears to hear these children commit their love to Christ in song and spoken word to the 2033 challenge of Empowered21— to see every person on earth have an authentic encounter with the Holy Spirit by 2033.”
Die Empowered21 Afrika Kongress het geeindig op Saterdag, 19 Mei en meer as 1,100 jong mense het na vore gekom om gesalf te word vir bediening. Dr. Billy Wilson, president van die Oral Roberts Universiteit en globale mede-voorsitter van Empowered21, het gesê: “To see the altar filled with young leaders under the age of 35 ready to accept their destiny to make a spiritual impact as Spirit-empowered leaders was amazing. It was an honor to pray over them as the future doctors, lawyers, presidents, evangelists, pastors, bishops, government officials and professors…the next generation of leaders for the nations of Africa.”
Empowered21 is ‘n waardevolle platform vir geesvervulde kerke en bedieninge om te reflekteer op die bediening van die kerk en om hulpbronne te deel. Sommige van hierdie hulpbronne is beskikbaar op hulle webtuiste: http://empowered21.com/. Ek wil van hierdie geleentheid gebruik maak om my dank uit te spreek teenoor al die AGS pastore en lidmate wat gebid het vir die sukses van die byeenkoms en die wat die byeenkoms bygewoon het.
Posted on May 17, 2018May 18, 2018
Nuusflits: Vrydag, 18 May
Laai die Nuusflits af in PDF formaat:
Nuusflits, Vrydag 18 Mei 2018
1.     AFRIKA HET 631 MILJOEN CHRISTENE
Dit was vir my ‘n groot voorreg om die derde “Global Christian Forum” (GCF) in Bogota (Columbia) gedurende 23-27 April 2018, by te woon.  “Together Christians are called to take up the challenges of peace, unity and costly discipleship”, het die “Global Christian Forum” op 27 April gesê in ‘n boodskap aan kerke wêreldwyd.
‘n Breë spektrum en verskeidenheid van Christelike tradisies is deur die deelnemers verteenwoordig. Hulle het gekom vanaf die Katolieke Kerk (Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity), die Pentakostale Wêreldgenootskap, die Wêreldraad van Kerke en die Wêreld Evangeliese Alliansie tesame met diegene van menige ander Christelike wêreld bedieninge en internasionale Christelike organisasies. Daar was 251 deelnemers in totaal. Die tema was “Let mutual love continue” (Heb 13:1).
Die byeenkoms het ‘n bruikbare platform geskep waar geloofs-ervaringe en geloofsstories gedeel kon word.  Dit was vir my verrassend om stories en ondervindinge, gelykstaande aan wat ons ervaar, te hoor vanuit die ander deelnemers se ontmoetings met Christus Jesus. Drie faktore wat na vore gekom het is: (i) Afrika se nuwe plek in globale Christenskap vanaf 2018, (ii) die opkoms van  onafhanklike Christenskap en (iii) Christene wat hulself identifiseer afsonderlik van Katolieke, Ortodokse en Protestante.
Hierdie faktore word huidiglik nagevors deur die Sentrum vir die Studie van Globale Christenskap gebaseerd te Gordon-Conwell Teologiese Kweekskool in South Hamilton, Massachussetss in die Verenigde State van Amerika. Gedurende die laaste 100 jaar periode het Christelike affiliasie ietwat verminder in die noordelike halfrond en aansienlik toegeneem in die suidelike halfrond.
Een aspek wat fassinerend was met betrekking tot die statistieke, is dat Afrika vir die eerste keer meer Christene het in vergelyking met ander kontinente. Afrika het 631 miljoen Christene. Dit beteken dat 45% van Afrika se populasie Christene is. Die globale prentjie lyk egter nie so rooskleurig nie. Die getal Christene wêreldwyd word geraam op 2.5 biljoen wat gelykstaande is aan 33% van die huidige wêreld populasie.
Die aantal Pinkster/Charismatiese Christene het eksponensiële groei getoon en is tweede na die Katolieke.  Alhoewel die getalle bemoedigend is, word die vraag gevra: Wat is die impak van hierdie getalle in die wêreld?  As daar na Suid-Afrika gekyk word is oor die 83% van die bevolking Christene en ‘n mens verwag, as gevolg van die persentasie, ‘n vooruitstrewende en vreedsame land. Ons weet egter dit is nie die geval nie.  Ons, as Suid-Afrikaners, sal dieper moet delf met die oogmerk om ons belydenis van geloof versoenbaar te maak met ons lewensstyl.
‘n Ware AGS lidmaat moet ‘n dissipel van Jesus wees in woord en daad.
Ek moedig jou aan om meer uit te vind van die globale Christelike statistieke deur die onderstaande skakel te besoek:
2. AGS ALGEMENE BESIGHEIDSVERGADERING (GBM)
Die AGS Nasionale Kantoor sien uit daarna om 2018 se Algemene Besigheidsvergadering (GBM) aan te bied. Ons kan die volgende bevestig:
Datum: 9-13 September 2018
Plek: AGS Woord en Lewe (Boksburg)
Vroeë Registrasie Fooi: R300 per persoon voor/op 30 Junie
Laat Registrasie Fooi: R350 per persoon
Neem asseblief kennis dat ‘n omsendbrief versprei sal word aan alle gemeentes. Vir ‘n elektroniese kopie besoek die “Events” bladsy van AGS webtuiste:  http://afm-ags.org/category/events/. Op hierdie bladsy sal jy ook die volgende vind:
3. ANDER OPKOMENDE AGS KONFERENSIES
Om ingelig te bly oor alle ander opkomende AGS konferensies moedig ek jou aan om die “Events” bladsy van die nuwe AGS webtuiste te besoek:
Posted on May 17, 2018May 18, 2018
Newsflash: Friday, 18 May
Download the Newsflash in PDF format:
Newsflash Friday, 18 May 2018
1.     AFRICA HAS 631 MILLION CHRISTIANS
It was a great privilege for me to attend the third Global Christian Forum (GCF) in Bogota (Columbia) on 23-27 April 2018. “Together Christians are called to take up the challenges of peace, unity and costly discipleship”, the Global Christian Forum said on 27 April in a closing message to churches world wide.
Participants brought together the widest variety of Christian traditions. They came from the Catholic Church (Pontifical Council for Promoting Christian Unity), the Pentecostal World Fellowship, the World Council of Churches, and the World Evangelical Alliance together with those of many other Christian World Communions and international Christian organisations. We were 251 in total. The theme was ‘Let mutual love continue’ (Heb 13:1).
The meeting created a useful platform of sharing stories and faith experiences. It was for me surprising to hear stories and experiences, like that of ours, from the participants’ encounter with Lord Jesus. Three factors that emerged were (i) Africa’s new place in global Christianity as of 2018, (ii) the rise of Independent Christianity and (iii) Christians who identify themselves separately from Catholics, Orthodox, and Protestants.
These factors are currently researched by the Center for the Study of Global Christianity at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary in South Hamilton, Massachusetts, in the United States of America. Over the last 100-year period, Christian affiliation has decreased slightly in the northern hemisphere and increased substantially in the southern hemisphere.
One aspect that was fascinating with the statistics was that, for the first time, Africa has more Christians in comparison with other continents. Africa has 631 million Christians. This translates to 45% Christians in Africa. The global picture, however is not good at all. Christians are 2.5 Billion which is equivalent to 33% of the current world’s population.
The number of Pentecostal/Charismatic Christians has shown exponential growth and is second to that of the Catholics. While the numbers make one feel good the question that remains is: What is the impact of these numbers in the world? If one looks at South Africa with its over 83% Christians one would have expected a prosperous and peaceful country, but we know that it is not the case. We, as South-Africans, need to do more soul searching with a view to making our confession of faith compatible to our lifestyle.
A true AFM member must be a follower of Jesus in word and in deeds.
To learn more about Christian statistics globally I encourage you to visit the link below:
2. AFM GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING (GBM)
The AFM National Office is looking forward to hosting the 2018 General Business Meeting. We can confirm the following:
Date: 9-13 September 2018
Venue: AFM Woord en Lewe (Boksburg)
Early Registration Fee: R300 per person before/on 30 June
Late Registration Fee: R350 per person
Please take note that a Circular will be distributed to all assemblies. For an electronic copy refer to the Events page on the AFM website: http://afm-ags.org/category/events/. On this page you will also find:
3. OTHER UPCOMING AFM CONFERENCES
For a view on all upcoming AFM conferences I encourage you to visit the Events page on the new AFM website:
Previous page Page 1 Page 2 Page 3 Page 4 Next page
One AFM Game Plan
Contact the AFM National Office
Tel: +27(12) 644 0490
Fax: +27(12) 644 0732/4
AFM stands for “Apostolic Faith Mission” (in Afrikaans: “AGS – Apostoliese Geloofsending”). The AFM exists since 1908 and is the first and largest Pentecostal church in the country – with 1.4 million members in SA and currently established in 29 countries of the world. “Pentecostal” means that it is a church who believes that the Spirit of God is given to believers to live dynamic and overcoming lives.
Proudly created by Contango Technologies