ST PETERS INTERNSHIP PROGRAMME 2020 UPDATE

“The harvest The apostle Paul endured much hardship and many setbacks in his ministry. For example, is plentiful within a few weeks of him establishing a new church in the city of Thessalonica, he had to flee but the for his life, after violent opposition to his ministry sprang up. workers are But in the letter which he wrote back to that church, we see why he was so persistent, so few. Ask the dedicated, to the cause of the gospel and the people he served: “For what is our hope, our joy, Lord of the or the crown in which we will glory in the presence of our Lord Jesus when he comes? Is it not harvest, you? Indeed, you are our glory and joy.” 1 Thess 2:19-20 therefore, to send out This is a remarkable, eternal perspective on gospel-shaped service. Paul believed that the workers into churches he served and the work he had done would not be forgotten when Christ returns. his harvest Indeed, the people under his care would be a source of joy for all eternity. field.” (Matt 9:38). This perspective is something we hope every intern grasps. We hope that they are motivated in their gospel ministries, by the things of eternity not the things of this world.

We give thanks to God for how he has brought us through 2020; how he has enabled ministries to continue through different channels; how he has opened new opportunities for the gospel. And yet (as for so many areas of life during the pandemic) it has also been a year of considerable hardship and setback.

Something that’s helped to keep us going is being reminded of this kind of eternal perspective, in the life of the Apostle Paul. Jesus is still in control. He is coming back. What a joy it will be, to be in His presence along with those we have ministered the gospel to.

What’s more, if you’re someone who’s supported one of our interns this year, or is considering doing so in 2021, you can joyfully reflect on how your service to Jesus in this area will echo into eternity!

Yours, in Jesus

Murray Anderson Senior Pastor St Peters Church “The majority of How are we hoping to encourage and train up a new generation ’s of gospel workers? population lives in the townships. A St Peters Internship is two years of on-the-job training. The essence of an internship If we are to have is not formal, classroom instruction but learning through active participation. Two any hope of reaching them years provides enough time for interns to establish ministries and learn from their with the good successes and failures. Then, with the help of those who have seen them in action, they news of Jesus, can make informed decisions about the next step in their training and ministry. we need to raise up more gospel All in all, we view this as training for a lifetime of effective gospel work. workers, to preach and Internships give those with growing ministry convictions the opportunity to ‘live the life’ minister in that of a full-time gospel worker. At some point, before entering the battlefield, soldiers context. Full- need to have trained with live ammunition. Let’s not push the illustration too far(!), but time internships that’s comparable to what an internship needs to achieve: We want to make sure there are an excellent are real opportunities to do significant ministry, but it’s always with a training mindset. way of providing on-the-job training to future church leaders and preparing With this in mind there are four main training areas: them for a lifetime of service.”

Phumezo Masango (Rector, Christchurch ) PERSONAL BIBLE GODLINESS HANDLING The Bible is clear that, along with the We want to instil in our interns deep ability to teach sound doctrine and convictions of the necessity and nature refute error, the foremost of Word ministry. We want them to prerequisite for gospel ministry develop a strong grasp of the basic leaders is godliness. principles of how to deliver Bible talks and small group Bible studies. Our hope is that interns grow in Christ-likeness and that this is seen Our hope is that they learn to disciple in their attitude to prayer, their others in the Word while they devotion to God’s Word and in their themselves learn to think Biblically relationships with others – both about the world, life and issues that “As we plan for inside and outside the church. arise in gospel ministry. future gospel growth in South FOUR Africa we have to, MAIN prayerfully and TRAINING proactively, raise AREAS up a new generation of REACHING LEADING IN gifted men and women to be THE LOST MINISTRY ministry leaders We want interns to develop deep We want to inspire and equip interns and trainers. evangelistic convictions and sharp to be sacrificial and zealous leaders, skills as to how to communicate the who desire gospel growth, for the Internship sake of God’s glory, not their own. programs can gospel in a range of contexts. play a key role in Our hope is that interns experience the Our hope is that, first and foremost, that, so I thrill of leading people to Christ and they learn how to lead themselves wholeheartedly that this becomes a key aim for them in amidst the rigours of gospel ministry. And then we also want support this their future ministries. them to become better leaders and initiative at St trainers of others. Peters.”

Glenn Lyons (Presiding Bishop, REACH-SA) IN THEIR OWN WORDS We asked our 2020 interns to share some thoughts about how the year has gone…

CARLA STEPHENSON TIM GERTZEN JOE LYONS How have you grown? How have you grown? How have you grown? I have learnt a great deal through my I’ve benefitted from the exposure I’ve learnt how to better handle the internship so far. One of the biggest I’ve got to the model of ministry at word of God and prep a bible talk. areas I have grown in is my handling St Peters. I’ve learnt a lot both from I’m learning what it means to be of the bible when preparing a talk. discussing the different ministry areas servant-hearted, to pursue Christ and Being part of the team that writes with the guys on the staff team, as well not this world. I think what working bible study material and leaders as seeing them work at their areas at St Peters has ultimately taught guides to that material, has also been over the course of the year. In 2021, me is that every day I need to rely an enriching experience. I’m looking if we emerge from this pandemic, on Christ, every day I need him and forward to continued opportunities I’m looking forward to being able to every day I get given is a day to live to grow and to support growth in spend a lot more time with people for his glory, by his grace alone. the ministries I am involved in. and doing in-person ministry! An example of something An example of something An example of something you’ve initiated? you’ve initiated? you’ve initiated? I worked very closely with Grant Gibson I was heavily involved in launching I was involved with spearheading a (St Peters Magnification Pastor) to and monitoring our care program new ministry outreach at ensure that the church’s ministries for members of the congregation College. We had about 20 students were able to transition to online, during during the Covid lockdown. I’ve attending a weekly talk and had just lockdown. This really tested and grew also started doing behind-the- had a first ‘guys’ bible study when the my skills in how to use digital media scenes support work for the pandemic hit. It would be great if we effectively, for the sake of the gospel. Ubabalo neThemba church plant. could get back in there next year!

“I am pleased to be able to endorse St Peter’s Internship Programme. Students who complete a programme like this before coming to George Whitefield College generally have a richer and deeper experience of theological education. The experience they gain through their internship establishes Christian ministry – the service of God and his people – as the framework within which they are able to engage in fruitful theological education.”

Mark Dickson (Principal, George Whitefield College)

“Over the last thirty years in the UK, God has used this type of internship training to raise up, train and test a new generation of gospel workers. This has been vital to the cause of the gospel in this country and similar, home-grown init iatives will be vital to any lasting gospel growth in South Africa. I would strongly encourage Christians in South Africa to support programs like this one!”

Richard Coekin (Executive Director, Co-Mission Church Network, London)

NEW INTERNS IN 2021 We’re so excited that two of our “Gap Years” from 2020 (James Carter and Stephan Van Rooy) are keen to extend their ministry training and go into full time internships for the coming two years. Thuso Letlotlo who very recently started an internship at Ubabalo neThemba Church (a church plant from St Peters, in nearby ) will also be continuing in 2021.

THUSO LETLOTLO JAMES CARTER STEPHAN VAN ROOY I am so grateful for the opportunity to I want to be an intern because I have I want to continue to learn how I can serve in the Church of God, using my gift enjoyed working and being a part of serve God better using the gifts he has of playing keyboard and the privilege of the church. I would like to participate given me and developing in areas that attending training at St Peters Church further at St Peters to grow and lead I am lacking. My biggest challenge on how to handle the word of God in various ministries especially as it right now, that I hope to grow in, is better. I am growing in knowing God would allow me to know whether I loving people, and letting that effect and loving Him. I am growing in serving would enjoy and be suited to doing a my motivation for ministry. I hope that people better – although we only started lifetime’s worth of ministry. the more I serve, the more I will learn meeting again in person in September. to love people with my serving, so that I’ve been doing home visits, phoning my serving will be for them and not for people, training the youth for serving in myself. music – praying for them is such joy.

HOW CAN YOU SUPPORT US? PRAYER • Please keep on praying in line with Matthew 9:38. That God would raise up more Gospel workers “to send out into his harvest field”. • Pray for the godliness and growth of all our Interns. • Pray for wisdom for the St Peters Ministry Team as we identify, recruit, train and mentor.

PROVISION • We need more Gospel workers in South Africa to reach the lost. Your generosity can help to fuel this. • We need to raise R400 000 to fund this program through 2021 • Please prayerfully consider donating to the St Peters Internship Program, either through regular monthly/quarterly gifts, or through one-off donations:

BANKING DETAILS Account name: St Peters Church Fish Hoek Standard Bank Account No: 270372806 Branch Code: 036009 Reference: INTERNSHIP SWIFT CODE: SBZAZAJJ