Mandy and I are settling in well and deeply appreciate the love we have received from the CVCF family.  We look forward to what the Lord has in store for us as a church impacting our nation and further afield.  We have our conference coming up (16-19 May) and are involved through Vineyard SA, with Vineyard churches around the nation as well as international Vineyards where we assist with the pastoral care of leaders, leadership development, discipleship, training, and church planting. We have a dream that God has given us.  This dream calls us into action. Remember we co-labour with … Continue reading Letter from Andrews Desk

Friends,             Today I pray for a breakthrough, a change, a shift, for each person reading this that we would find for ourselves a personal kingdom shift.  In the world today there are a lot of problems, but we are kingdom people.  I pray for a breakthrough, a wave of change in your life, that you would discover a new direction, a new favour, a new momentum, and a new anointing. Jesus said, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Mat 6:33) and told us to pray, your kingdom … Continue reading A Kingdom Shift

            Having travelled a little this year I was struck at how privileged we are in South Africa.  Yes, we have our problems but live in an amazingly diverse culture.  The beauty of South Africa’s people, friendliness, openness, honesty, and welcoming hearts is unique.  Yes, a small portion of rabble-rousers cause problems, crime and more, but I suspect that 90% of the population in South Africa wants to live in peace and harmony with one another.  Many nations are mono-cultural and do not have the privilege or sometimes the inclination to engage across cultural barriers to their Judea, Samaria, and … Continue reading A Privileged Place to Live

As I sit here in the early hours of the morning reading, thinking, and praying, I find myself wondering; Lord, what will the next years hold?  As Mandy and I enter a new season, our children are growing up, Joshua has moved out, Daniel is now married to a wonderful lady, Amy and they will move into their new home over the next few months.  Annah our daughter is finding her feet and trying to figure out her next steps after taking this year as a gap year. Mandy has struggled with the recovery from a knee replacement which required a second … Continue reading It’s been a while – A Pastoral Update

This side of the curtain we will have struggles, no exception, Jesus says as much when He tells us, “…In the world you have tribulation and distress and suffering, but be courageous … I have overcome the world.” (John‬ ‭16‬:‭33‬) If we look at the life of Jesus, our approach to helping those struggling should not simply be one of sympathy. Our approach should be one of empathy motivated by love and compassion, which leads to empowerment. Our care for people can’t simply be to make people feel better and safe, but included in our care should be challenge to … Continue reading Victim to Victor

I often wake up at two am for no rational reason.  For many years this frustrated me to no end, lying there trying to fall asleep. In one of the many conversations I had with my Spiritual Director, he suggested, “What a great time to turn to the Lord in prayer. To listen for that tiny whispering sound. To remember all his words in this Gospel. And reach for his hand, outstretched toward mine…” Friends, know that in those times the next step is ours. We may falter and begin to sink into our troubles. Why don’t we rather imitate Peter … Continue reading Jesus, I Trust in You!

As I reflected on Father’s Day, I am grateful for my father and all the fathers I have had in my life who have helped shaped me.  Stephen Kendrick outlines seven roles that a father plays in the life of his family: provider, protector, leader, teacher, helper, encourager, and friend.  I would add, a guide, a spiritual mentor, and a boundary maker.  When a man is these things to his children he is a father.  Many men are biological dads but are not fathers, and many fathers are not biological dads to their children.  A father shows up and keeps … Continue reading “Life doesn’t come with an instruction book — that’s why we have fathers.”

Today we celebrate Ascension Day, the day Christ ascended bodily to heaven. “…he was taken up before their very eyes, and a cloud hid him from their sight. They were looking intently up into the sky as he was going, when suddenly two men dressed in white stood beside them. “Men of Galilee,” they said, “why do you stand here looking into the sky? This same Jesus, who has been taken from you into heaven, will come back in the same way you have seen him go into heaven.”” (Acts 1:9-11 NIV) The Ascension of Jesus is meaningful for us … Continue reading A blessed Ascension Day to you

How much faith does it take to overturn Gods ‘No’? We live in a time when the fulfilment of our own needs, desires and wants has become paramount. People quote Jesus out of context and say, “Jesus said if you ask for anything in my name it will be given to you, so I want the 4 M’s, Millions, a Mercedes, a Mansion, and a Miracle, in Jesus name!” So what happens when those 4 M’s don’t materialise? We begin to blame ourselves, and take on unhealthy leans in theology. It’s sin, I haven’t tithed enough, prayed enough, read my … Continue reading How Much Faith Does it Take to Overturn Gods No?