Camp Leader, Preacher, Boyfriend

There are three significant events that took place during the month of May 2013 which I would like to testify about.

Firstly, we had our first Every Nation Pretoria youth camp which I had to lead and organize.  

It was a great success and an amazing privilege to be able to spend time with the youth doing various adventure activities, sports and worshiping God together and giving teachings on Identity and Discipleship.

Here are a few images from the camp:

Secondly, I preached for the first time at the Every Nation Lynnwood Evening Service. 

I preached on the implications of the Resurrection of Christ. It is such a blessing to be used by God to teach on the Word of God to so many people.

Here is a photo my friend took of me while preaching: 

Last, but surely not least, I would like to officially inform all of you as friends, family and partners in my ministry, that I am now officially in a relationship with Maryke Taljaard. 

Exciting times! I am really looking forward to the journey God is going to take us on.

Here is a photo of the two of us:

There are quite a few exciting events coming up which I need to lead as well as organize. It will be great if you can already pray and trust with me that God will make these events an enormous success!

1: Our Every Nation Youth Gatherings (Elevation) every Thursday evening.

2: Our Youth Services on the 12th of May. This is where the youth do the pre-service prayer, announcements, preaching, worship band, decor etc. of both the morning and evening service.

3: Our Youth Mission to Botswana on the 22nd of June to the 1st of July.

I really want to thank all of you for your tremendous support to me in this ministry.  

Thank you for every single prayer! 

And also thanks to all those who are partnering with me financially on a monthly basis! 

Jesus says in Luke 10:2 that 'the harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into the harvest field.' 

Thank you for enabling me and sending me out into this harvest which is plentiful! 

If you feel God is calling you to also partner with me in this Kingdom investment, feel free to mail me at p.pretorius@enpta.co.za and I will communicate to you all the needed info.

I thank my God every time I remember you. In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.

Philippians 1:3-6 (NIV)

Africa Dream, International Food Evening, Elevation

Here is a quick update of three awesome High Lights I have been a part of lately:

Africa Dream

The Every Nation Missions Ministry, or as we like to call ourselves, the African Dream Team, is actively busy planning how we are going to make the African Dream come to pass... Which is, to plant a church in every African country!

Why am I part of this team?

Well there are various answers to that question, but the main reason at this moment is because I will be leading a mission team, filled with youth to Botswana in June this year!

Africa Dream Team Strategic Planning Meeting

International Food Evening

As an Every Nation family we also hosted an International Food Evening to which more than half a thousand people showed up! There were various food stalls from a lot of different countries across the world, and we also had a moment where we shared the Africa Dream and prayed for our Mission Team in South Sudan!

I had the privilege of leading Team India!

Team India! (I am the man in the elephant suit!)

 ELEVATION - Every Nation Pretoria Youth Ministry

 So after a lot of brain storming sessions and a massive list of name proposals for the Every Nation Pretoria Youth Ministry, it finally came down to me giving a proposal of the three best options to the City Wide Senior Leadership Team...

And the "tribe" has spoken...

ELEVATION it is!

Exciting times!
Every Nation, Elevation!
Elevating God, Elevating people!

I have also been frantically busy setting up a leadership structure and team for Elevation, and after Volunteer Sunday, God has blessed me with more than 10 new God-loving Elevation Volunteers!

People signing up for Elevation during Volunteer Sunday

 And Finally, the latest from Waterkloof,

The Picture says it all:

17 Discipleship Groups during break (taken just last week)

 Matthew 28:19 - Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit.

Take a moment to thank God for what He is busy doing!

Larger Vision = Less Sleep...

I am officially in the "adult world" now... How do I know this? My year kicked off properly in January, unlike some of my student friends who only get going mid February... (I hope you read this Bernard, AJ and Jesse... Neef Schalk, jy ook nou dat ek daaraan dink).

But I'm not complaining, for even though 2013 started off frantically, it has been great thus far!

Here are just some of the main highlights in a nut shell:

I moved out of my home into a commune with my great friend Bernard and 6 other young working men (amazing house situated in Lynnwood, great blessing from God):

Day we moved in. Ber on left, myself on right.

 
With my sister getting married in February (very exciting), I enjoyed Ivan's bachelors immensely! Great seeing a group of young men enjoying each other without going all immoral on themselves!

Enjoying Breakfast together at Ivan's bachelors.

Our amazing team of Youth leaders did hours of praying and planning together. Asking three vital questions: WHY do we serve on the Youth Ministry? WHAT is our vision for the Youth Ministry and finally HOW are we going to get there? (i.e. Motive, Vision, Strategic Plan).

If you read through this vision, you will probably think we are crazy. I like to call it faith in an almighty God.

Planning.

And some more planning...

I preached at a Waterkloof High School Camp, where some got saved and on the same weekend taught them what it is to be a disciple of Jesus and how to make disciples (Matt 28:19).

That's me preaching and being proudly South African with my Bafana shirt.

Helping those very same kids facilitating Discipleship Groups.

Finally finished a Youth Discipleship Guide we have written and launched it already in Schools (Thanks to De Wet, Dawid, Johan, Willie and all those who helped whom I can't remember right now. You are absolute legends).

Sharing on Discipleship at Waterkloof High School.

One of the pages in the new and awesome Youth Discipleship Guide.

 I am extremely excited about everything which lies ahead for 2013. God has placed an amazing vision in my heart specifically for the Youth of Pretoria, and out of love for Him, I will gladly step out boldly and be part of making this vision become a reality.
And I want to thank all of you who some way or another, whether by prayer, finances, resources, or simply by being there for me, are helping me to step into this calling God has for my life.

You are just as much a part of this as I am!

Thank you

Moroccan Madness!

Morocco. December 2012.

   Introducing the team:

From Left to Right: Bernard, Philip, Jaco, AJ, Jeremy (infront), Jannes

The typical dress code:

The fellowship:

The physical work:

The desperate need for Christ:

The beautiful landscape:

And kept on going strong!

Let's pray for Morocco! May God send more workers! The harvest is ready! (Luke 10:2)

The Blogging Journey Begins

Dear Friends, Family, Acquaintances...

It has become quite clear to myself and hopefully some of you as well,
that I, Philip Pretorius, probably won't be living what would be considered a "normal" lifestyle.

So I have decided to start blogging away about all my various experiences, so that you could enjoy, learn, laugh, cry, dance, think and travel with me through this "Unexpected Journey".

Exciting times await,

So watch this space...