What if the very stones beneath your feet could speak of faith tested and unity forged? Here at the Apostolic Faith Mission, those stories echo through time.
The Apostolic Faith Mission. It stands as a testament to the enduring power of faith and community. Its story began in 1908. American missionaries John G. Lake and Thomas Hezmalhalch arrived in South Africa. They brought with them the Pentecostal movement.
Imagine the early days of the Apostolic Faith Mission. It was a humble beginning in a rented hall in Doornfontein, Johannesburg. People of all races gathered. They were united by their belief in divine healing and the power of prayer. The movement quickly spread. It attracted members from various backgrounds. This included Dutch Reformed churches and Zionist communities.
The Apostolic Faith Mission’s early days were marked by interracial cooperation. However, this unity was short-lived. Tensions arose and racial segregation took root. Baptisms were separated by race. A white executive council controlled the church. A separate committee oversaw the work of black members.
This division led to the formation of African Initiated Churches. Despite the divisions, the Apostolic Faith Mission continued to grow. It maintained a large black constituency. These members exercised considerable autonomy in their local churches. Over time, the church divided into four main groupings. There was a white parent church and daughter churches for black, colored and Indian members.
The decades of apartheid left a deep scar on the Apostolic Faith Mission. The church confessed to preaching that opposition to apartheid was communist-inspired. This position caused pain and division.
After 1991, the winds of change began to blow. The white and black churches remained separate. However, black members were granted legal membership for the first time. Finally in 1996, a momentous event occurred. The two sections united into one operational unit. The newly elected president, Isak Burger, apologized for the past treatment of non-whites.
Today, the Apostolic Faith Mission stands as a multi-racial church. It has over 1.2 million adherents. It is the largest Pentecostal church in South Africa. The Apostolic Faith Mission is a member of the Apostolic Faith Mission International. It is also a member of the South African Council of Churches.
The Apostolic Faith Mission embraces a variety of identities and ministry philosophies. These include seeker-sensitive, Word of Faith, Presbyterian and classical Pentecostal approaches. Its beliefs are rooted in the Bible. It emphasizes the triune God, the divinity of Jesus Christ and the power of the Holy Spirit. The Apostolic Faith Mission practices believer’s baptism by immersion. It also observes the Lord’s Supper.
Consider the core values of the Apostolic Faith Mission. They include integrity, relationships, accountability and excellence. These values guide the church’s actions and decisions.
The Apostolic Faith Mission is more than just a church. It is a community of believers. It is a beacon of hope. It is a testament to the transformative power of faith. As you stand here, remember the journey of the Apostolic Faith Mission. Remember its struggles and triumphs. Remember its commitment to unity and mission. Let the story of the Apostolic Faith Mission inspire you. Let it strengthen your own faith. Let it encourage you to build bridges of understanding and reconciliation in our world.