Our goal is to reach people with the gospel of true hope in Jesus Christ, and to equip them to share that hope with others. We have determined that, through the call of God, the most effective way to carry out that ministry in this culture is through the work of a children’s home. As we receive children who have been impacted as a result of the HIV/AIDS pandemic, we will attempt to show them that they can receive assurance of eternal life through faith in Jesus Christ’s work on the cross. We will then work to train and equip them to reach others in this community and around South Africa. This is the ministry we have been involved in previously, and God has shown tremendous blessing, as we have seen growth in the lives of the children reached.

In addition to the training of children at the children’s home and their caregivers, we have also been called to reach out into the community around us. Louis is currently involved in Bible Study with several young men from Thabong, the local township. Most of these youth have already come to know Jesus Christ and continue to show the fruit of a changed life. Already they are reaching out to their friends, and by the grace of God, we will continue to invest in their lives and train them in the Word of God.

As part of our ongoing ministry to the community of Welkom, we periodically hold Bible Clubs, do street evangelism, and pass out food parcels. In all this our goal is ultimately to see individuals come to the knowledge of salvation.

One cannot truly minister to spiritual needs while ignoring the physical needs. One of the greatest needs, beyond food & clothing, beyond poverty, beyond health, is the need all humans have to be loved. God has caused tremendous love to grow in our hearts for those with whom we minister. One of our greatest joys in ministry is to spend time with and nurture the individuals God brings into our lives. In so doing we have found that usually they are a greater blessing to us than we could ever hope to be to them.

While God has changed our call from the US to South Africa, we are still convinced that God’s plan for ministry is centered upon churches. We have been working to establish and grow a church in the area and will continue to do so. Louis frequently preaches on Sunday mornings, and both Amber Louis run Sunday School and worship time. We trust that God will continue to bless this ministry and that souls will be reached for His kingdom.

A work like this is not without daily responsibilities. We have been involved in work and construction projects, and maintain many of the duties required for daily operation of a children’s home. These include groceries, meetings with housemothers, transportation, homework, and a variety of other things that crop up randomly.