Christ the Reconciler

In April 2000, Reconciliation Ministries was born at Christ the Reconciler. It began in a humble building on Botma Street in Steenberg. The building had previously housed a Superette, Butchery, and Hairdresser. Pastor Andrew Swartz, who grew up in nearby Hout Bay, saw the potential for a church within those walls. He, along with his wife, Lynn, purchased the building. They spent hours envisioning the future of Christ the Reconciler and their ministry. The scripture from 2 Corinthians 5:19 resonated with them: “God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting men’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.” Christ the Reconciler became the physical embodiment of this message. Pastor Andrew, known for his theatrical and hard-hitting preaching style, quickly gained popularity. His wife Lynn, ordained as the ministry’s first lady, provided unwavering support and intercession. The ministry initially had ties to the Pentecostal Holiness Church. However, it later became independent while still acknowledging the PHC’s role in its early growth. Christ the Reconciler flourished under the Swartz family’s leadership. In 2010, the ministry celebrated its 10th anniversary. A newly renovated building was unveiled. Andrew and Lynn’s son, Jerome, was ordained as a pastor. Jerome, following in his father’s footsteps, trained at the Cape Bible Training Centre. He eventually became Pastor of Christ the Reconciler, carrying the torch of reconciliation forward. The entire Swartz family, including daughter Gail, remained actively involved in God’s work in Steenberg and the surrounding areas. Christ the Reconciler continued to grow as a beacon of hope and reconciliation in the community.