Crosslinks associate Rebekah Brown writes:

 “In February 2002, a small group of young adults led by Grant Retief began a ministry with the vision of church planting on campus to reach the students and community at the University of Kwazulu Natal, South Africa. Thus was born Christ Church, Glenwood and ‘The Bible Talks’ on campus. 

With a student population of 20,000 to reach, more staff were recruited. The aims of evangelism, discipleship, training and equipping in the Gospel drove the team and we saw gradual but steady growth. 

Now in 2006 we can thank God that he has taken this church planting vision and the people involved and used this to grow his Church in Durban. 

We currently have four different congregations meeting each week. Each has several Bible studies and numerous leaders who are being trained. Some are keen to join the Ministry Apprenticeship Programme with a view to going to George Whitfield College. 

Of course none of this would be possible without God being at work in a team that was united in its goal to see people conformed to the likeness of Christ, through preaching and teaching the trustworthy message of the Gospel. Our team is a real mix and one that could never have been humanly orchestrated, with locals from South Africa and representatives from the UK, Australia and the USA bringing much diversity and yet unity in purpose.We have local apprentices, a children’s worker and also ‘short-termers’ who have come for a year. These have included James and Lucy Buchanan, (UK), Rich Larson (USA) and currently Nerena Neathercoat (UK) is with us, recruited through the Crosslinks smile short-term programme. 

How amazing that God brings together people from far and wide to do the work of the Gospel. How amazing too that God uses his international Church to partner and support the work he is doing around the world. Recently we learned of churches in the UK who want to help provide funding for us to employ an apprentice next year. Until Christ returns, no matter how many staff we employ, there will always be more work to be done and more churches to plant. How amazing that those God is bringing to glory through us are the ones who are our glory and joy: “What is our hope, our joy, or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus Christ when he comes? Is it not you? Indeed you are our glory and joy.” (1 Thess 2:19)   

  Crosslinks magazine January 2007 index