This week was another sad week for us, yet another Pastor committed suicide
– while he did not live in our area he was known to many through
the Church Family. His death has sent shock waves through the Church.
IF ONLY – are words that are been expressed.
The finances of the Church were under investigation and accusations
had been levelled against the Pastor. The Church income had fallen by 45%
and the Church could not meet Budget.
The Pastor committed suicide but if only he had opened his Laptop Computer
and read his e-mails he would have read that the Audit of the Church Books
and the investigation into all the allegations had been completed and
found to be false and that he had been cleared of any wrongdoing but it was too late!
He was dead!
We are all under tremendous pressure –
The Platinum Mining Strike is entering its fourth month –
and is causing hardships throughout the country.
Imagine having no income for 3 months!
The Gold Mines are also been affected.
Mines in our area have once again retrenched workers.
Intimidation is rife and all the companies who supply the mines
also have to lay off staff. Many Service industries that depend on
those working for local mines are also failing.
Most Churches are reeling because incomes are falling and the drain
on resources needed to help those in need are been depleted!
Our Church – while our Outreach has expanded – our income
also continues to fall and we have not been able to meet
basic fixed expenses for some time now.
For many people the Bible is a mere collection of pebbles –
profound sayings to be uttered on special occasions or
to be used as mere words of comfort in trying times –
To me and many other Believers however the Bible is a Solid Rock!
It is not only a firm Rock under our feet but it is our Anchor
and Daily Guide. It sustains us on our daily path through this life.
It has been my privilege honour to have preached the Word of God
as an Ordained Pastor since 1973. My ministry started as a Missionary among the Indian
Hindu Community in Natal and I have had the privilege to minister the Word of God
in all the Provinces of South Africa and to most of the Language groups,
often with the aid of an Interpreter. While I pastored the Pentecostal Protestant Church
in Cape Town it was also my privilege to Pastor a Portuguese Assembly of God Church
at the same time with the aid of an Interpreter for more than a year.
The Number of Weddings that I have solemnised and number of Funerals that I have conducted
with the aid of an Interpreter are too numerous to mention.
Today I still regard myself as a Missionary – I pastor a small Afrikaans speaking Church –
My home language and that of my Family is English while I minister mostly in Afrikaans
which I speak as a second language. All my Bible Study and Preaching material is prepared
first in English and then translated into Afrikaans.
For many years my wife helped me with the translations.
Often I have wondered if my Ministry would not have been more successful
if I had rather preached the Gospel in English, my Home language.
My Afrikaans pronunciations are often faulty, as is my grammar
and often the target of ridicule.
Today I had every reason to be despondent – our attendance was even
worse than normal with only a handful of people attending the local Church.
Our income a mere R110 and it is month end and all the Bills must be paid!
Despite this I rejoiced – The Claassen family have their roots in the Dutch
Anabaptist History of the Church and were known as “Jumpers” because of their style
of Worship! Today I joined my Ancestors and jumped with Joy!
The reason – While I was preaching the Word on the Radio early this morning,
I received a Text message out of Mecca, Saudi Arabia the very heart of Islam
from a South African working there, listening to our Afrikaans Broadcast via the Internet
on his Laptop Computer! God is faithful and His Word will never return void!
Yes it is a privilege to proclaim His word but I am constantly aware of
the responsibility whenever I say: Thus says the Lord!
Please continue to pray for this Ministry and that it will continue to bear good fruit!
This Ministry would however never have been possible without the support
and prayers of Family and Friends – Thank you for your love and continued
encouragement.
Yours in HIS Service
Cornelius
Pastor CSJ Claassen
PO Box 99
Welkom
South Africa
9460