Ever wondered how a humble Sunday School blossomed into the Tokai Community Church we see today? It is a story of faith. It is also a story of community. This church stands as a testament to the power of shared belief and collective effort.
Tokai Community Church started in March 1983. Frank Retief was the rector of St James Church in Kenilworth. He wanted to plant a church in this area. One of the school teachers and several local residents helped him. They were all members of St James Church. They started a Sunday School at Kirstenhof Primary School.
The Sunday School meetings at Kirstenhof Primary were very popular. They effectively reached the parents. In June 1983, a Bible Study for the parents was started. This also grew quickly. By September 1983, the first church services began. Rev Desmond Inglesby guided them. He was doing a curacy at St James. He became Tokai Community Church’s first minister.
The Tokai Community Church quickly outgrew the staff room at Kirstenhof Primary School. It moved into the school hall. In 1987, the church purchased land in Raapkraal Road. They started developing building plans. However, in 1989, a more suitable property became available. It was the old Breezeland Nursery. It was right on Tokai Road. The church purchased it.
The building project took two years. In 1991, Tokai Community Church moved into its own church building. The address is 28 Tokai Road. It is still there today.
Today, Tokai Community Church is a family-friendly church. It believes in the Bible. It is based in Tokai in the Southern Suburbs of Cape Town. Services are held on Sundays and throughout the week. The church wants every family member to know Jesus. They want them to live for Him. They also want them to share Him with others. This shapes all the ministries to families and children.
If you cannot join in person, you can watch the 10 am service on YouTube. You can also listen to selected sermons on the Tokai Community Church Sermon Podcast. It is available on Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and YouTube. Every Sunday morning’s sermon is posted on YouTube.
The Foundations Course is held on Wednesday evenings. It runs from 18:00 to 19:00 at the church. Childcare is provided. The course covers the foundational truths of Christianity. It is designed for newcomers to TCC.
Tokai Community Church is led by a dedicated team. Glenn Lyons is the Rector. Graham Van Veen and Denzil Abrahams are Assistant Ministers. Sandy Lyons is the Women’s Ministry Director. Olivia Temple is the Music Ministry Director. Jeanne Westgate is the Administrator. Wendy Wyatt is the Kid’s Church Director. Sharon Moyles is the Rector’s Personal Assistant. Tegan Duke is a Ministry Apprentice. Felicity Wildschutte is the Church Cleaner. Henry Kanyoza and Goodman Mcetywa are Garden & Facilities Workers.
Tokai Community Church partners with various churches. It also partners with organisations and people. These partnerships extend their reach. They also enhance their impact. Hendrik and Carien Jansen are with Westlake Community Church. Susan Newkirk oversees children & ladies at Westlake Community Church. Pete and Dagi Smuts are with the Bible Institute of South Africa. Siegfried Ngubane is the SIM Regional Director for Southern Africa. Michael and Renée Watson are with SIM & Watsons Missions in Chavuma, Zambia. R & L B are with Operation Mercy in Asia.
From humble beginnings in a school staff room to its current location, the Tokai Community Church has remained a beacon of faith. It also remained a community hub. It is a place where people come together to serve. They know Christ. They also make Christ known for the glory of God. The Tokai Community Church is more than just a building. It is a living testament to the enduring power of faith.