Presbevents 12

11th November 2009
David and Val Hutt: Thank you for keeping all of us up-to-date. My wife Val and I are now living at Linga Longa doing mission and evangelism work for the Christ Healing Foundation. The work is hard and difficult, running the Retreat Centre as well as going out to churches, teaching and preaching about the healing work of the Gospel.
On the weekend of 4 to 6 December I will be conducting a retreat, the theme being: “Finding the Peace of Christ in Christmas”. We thank God for all His blessings and help, especially answered prayer. Please keep us in your prayers as we keep you in ours.
Douglas Crawford (Summerstrand): What does one do after in retirement? About a year ago Murray Smith said to me: “Doug, why don’t you write a book?” I pondered the idea, then began to write down some thoughts. The idea became a project and culminated in “UNLOCKING YOUR SPIRITUAL POTENTIAL”, with a sub-title: “through Inspired Leadership”.
The thought behind it is this. Many, many people receive Jesus as their Saviour and Lord. This is wonderful. Then, just at this point, when their spiritual potential is enormous, they say to themselves something like: “That was nice, now what else will I do?” And they regard their spiritual experience as complete. All their spiritual potential is lost. This book aims to remedy that situation.
It is 158 pages long, inexpensively bound, clearly printed with wide margins for your notes, and sells for the low price of R40,00. My objective is to get my thoughts into circulation and not to make money! It is illustrated with experiences from my own ministry, and I believe it to be highly readable. It will make an excellent Christmas gift.
To obtain a copy of “Unlocking Your Spiritual Potential”, please send me your cheque or postal order for R40.00, addressed to Douglas Crawford, PO Box 13161, Humewood, 6013.. Do be sure also to also let me have your postal address!
Gus Hunter (USA): Gus has just had a book published and has sent the following information about it:
FROM VENUS TO MARS AND BACK
The book I wrote is now on sale. I am very pleased with the final result - bar a few bad editorial blunders
For those in South Africa I think it is available from the following web site...
http://www.kalahari.net/christian/From-Venus-to-Mars-and-Back/35657/33990625.aspx
It is available all over most of the world.
I should like to know what you think of it?
Here is an endorsement by Calvin Cook of the book that will help you know what it is about:
”What I find so fascinating about the book is its combination of biblical metaphors with your sure therapeutic touch. The combination of metaphors constitutes the mystery, your own willingness to listen to the Spirit and do as instructed, the healing. We all long to know as we are known, but the order is crucial: until we are willing to be known, which means the exposure of the truth about ourselves, we cannot know the grace which is inseparable from it. As we realize the limitlessness of grace, we realize also that nothing less would have been sufficient. As I read I felt as the disciples must have felt when Jesus said to them that kings and prophets had longed to hear what you are hearing - the revelation of the mystery of the Kingdom: a power and its use that freed and healed and ultimately perfected rather than one that dominated and destroyed. Are we ready for either that physical or spiritual intimacy?”
Gus Hunter (USA): I am in Smith town - on Long Island (close to New York) to teach a YWAM DTS this week! Please pray for me and my students as you feel led by God.
Heinrich and Denise Asch (Goodwood): My wife, Denise and I have now ministered at Goodwood Presbyterian church for 34 years commencing our ministry in November, 1975. I am due to retire (68 years) at the end of November, 2010 when, if I make it, I will have served at Goodwood for 35 years. Denise is the church organist and pianist and also the pastoral assistant active in visitation, leading Bible fellowships etc. Last year, 2008, was the Centenary of the Goodwood Presbyterian church. The following events were among the highlights.
1. 22 February, Gala Launch – Down Memory Lane – Welsh Men’s Choir and historical exhibition.
2. 7-9 March – Centenary Camp with Costa Mitchell, Director of Vineyard Churches.
3. 17-19 March – Pre-Easter services with Rod Botsis (Minister, Bellville)
4. 6-11 May – Pre-Pentecost services with Costa Mitchell
5. 15-17 August – Missions’ Weekend with various missionaries and mission societies participating
6. 11 September – Sunday School Anniversary service with past and present Sunday School members participating
7. 1-5 October – Evangelistic Mission with Bishop Frank Retief (Presiding Bishop of CESA)
8. 10-12 October – Centenary Flower Festival
9. 1 November – Centenary Fete
10. 28 November – Centenary Banquet – main speaker William Pool (Recent past Moderator of General Assembly of UPCSA)
11. 30 November – Centenary Thanksgiving service with William Pool
In addition the brochure “Goodwood Presbyterian church – Celebrating 100 years of service” was published as well as a Centenary recipe book “100 Years and Still Cookin’ “
Our elder son, Brendon, is serving as Youth Pastor at Randparkridge United church on the Reef, having previously served as Youth Pastor at Somerset West United church in the Western Cape.
His wife, Petro, works and they have two children, Nina (5) and Ethan (1 year).
Our daughter, Charlene, is married to Barry who is the director of S.C.O (Students’ Christian Organisation) an amalgamation of S.C.A (Students’ Christian Association) and S.C.M (Students’ Christian Movement). They now live in Monte Vista, Cape Town, having previously lived in Port Elizabeth. Charlene, a qualified Primary School teacher, gives guitar lessons after school at Edgemead Primary. Barry and Charlene have two children, Caitlin (4) and Daniel (nearly 3).
Our younger son, Gareth, is teaching at Elkanah Private school, a school with a Christian orientation in Parklands, Cape Town. He plays in a band called K, Ray and the Bird, he being “The Bird”. He has been the worship leader at our congregation for a number of years apart from his other involvements in the congregation but will be moving to a flat in Table View. He will be leaving our congregation and joining one in that area. Gareth is still single.

What a magnificent contribution to Presbevents from Heinrich and Denise! And what an incredible ministry: 34 years! Is this a record for our Church? Doug