The Call to Go
Machiel, 26, and Jessica, 23, are from The Netherlands - a country three times smaller than the Western Cape! Hearing the call through Isaiah 61, they left their home and travelled to South Africa in 2016 to partner with All Nations in sharing the gospel with the unreached and going to the difficult places. They currently serve in Masiphumelele, and today share how they were called to South Africa.[blockquote text="The spirit of the Lord is on me, because the Lord has anointed me to proclaim good news to the poor." text_color="" width="" line_height="undefined" background_color="" border_color="" show_quote_icon="yes" quote_icon_color="d52a37"]Thanks for listening to our story….
THE CALL TO THE NATIONS
Machiel and I [Jessica] met almost 10 years ago. There was a period of about 4 years where we were apart, and in that time we both got to know the Lord and began a living relationship with Him, and then felt the call to South Africa. For me, it was through Isaiah 61 - these were significant verses God confirmed throughout my life. The first time when I read it a long time ago it really touched my heart and I asked the Lord if it was something He was saying to me and if He could confirm that. The same hour someone prayed for me and had a prophetic word from Isaiah 61 for me. Ever since I have been holding onto that word, and it has come up many times in our lives - for both of us. I completed a Discipleship Training School (YWAM) in South Africa in 2013 - and the theme was Isaiah 61!
THE CALL TO ALL NATIONS
We came on a scouting trip to South Africa and made an appointment with All Nations - we had heard of their church planting school, Forge. Their vision and mission really spoke to our hearts. We both felt so moved at that moment and realised that this is where we need to be.We continued our trip and it was October 2015 when came back. The next Forge school started in February 2016 which seemed so soon! We held off a little bit and looking at impossibilities of quitting jobs, leaving our home, considering what our family would say - we had only been married for a short time too. But when we talked about it we realised that we should consider it, and from then we felt so much peace, even though with our human eyes we could see a lot of stress and impossibilities. God provided every single thing that we needed, and although it was challenging for our family and friends, in the end we got sent off well by them and with their full support.When we arrived for Forge, in the very first class it was announced that theme was also Isaiah 61! Forge was so good - a time where we learned so much and were exposed to so many new things - prophecy, small groups, the discovery bible study model - and our whole view of church changed. When we say the word ‘church’ in English, it reminds us of a small group gathering in a house around the word, but when we say the Dutch word for ‘church’ we see it as building. There were challenges too – it could be frustrating at times living in community with one another, sharing everything - but we loved becoming part of the All Nations family!
THE CALL TO MASIPHUMELELE
[blockquote text="For as the soil makes the sprout come upand a garden causes seeds to grow,so the Sovereign LORD will make righteousnessand praise spring up before all nations." text_color="" width="" line_height="undefined" background_color="" border_color="" show_quote_icon="yes" quote_icon_color="d52a37"]During Forge we went on outreach in Masi. We loved the people, the environment - telling stories, making friends, the Xhosa culture - and we began to feel really passionate about Masi. After Forge, the Lord then confirmed through Isaiah 61 that we should join All Nations as staff members - the last word in the scripture is ‘all nations’ after all!We now go on outreach twice a week with the Masi team, and then visit those people in their homes. We pray for people, read the bible, and do life together! On Friday we are part of Isithembiso, a kids ministry, where we support local leaders to lead the children. And once a year we have a camp which is really exciting!Looking back we can see the thread of God’s provision and his voice guiding us each step at a time – and we know God will continue to direct our path and be alongside us, calling us into adventure with Him!
Where is God calling you? All Nation's Church Planting Experience, Forge, starts 21st February in Cape Town and will equip you to make disciples and train leaders to ignite church planting movements among the neglected people of the earth.If you are interested in finding out more about Forge, click the button below for more info and how to sign up, or email us atcpx@all-nations.co.za[button size='' style='' text='Forge 2018' icon='' icon_color='' link='https://all-nations.co.za/portfolio_page/cpx-church-planting-experience/' target='_self' color='d52a37' hover_color='#ffffff' border_color='d52a37' hover_border_color='' background_color='' hover_background_color='#000000' font_style='' font_weight='' text_align='' margin='']