Question and Answer

Swart Booysen, pastor of the Evaton Noord and Poortjie churches has been answering questions that we have about his churches and South Africa. Please contact a Sister Church team member if you have a question.

Questions about the church

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Q: Hello Swart,

My name is Michael and I am very pleased to meet you virtually via this forum. My question to you is on the Aids crisis in Africa and specifically how this effects your community.

We hear through various news reports that entire communities have been devasted especially the middle aged groups. In certain villages there were only young children and older grandparents and that none of the "age betweens" or parents were left.

How do people survive in those areas? Is there public assistance or charitable benefactors that assist? Any information you could provide would be most helpful. Thank you!

Michael

A: Good morning Michael,

The Aids pandemic is wiping out many couples in Africa, even here in South Africa. Firstly, low morals are the cause. Secondly, unemployment. Young women and teenagers sell their bodies to earn a living. Their age is between 16 and 35. They die like flies. The truck drivers who travel all over the country, are the main culprits, because wherever they come they spread this disease. Presently, there are between 4 and 5 million people living with Aids in South Africa. The population is 45 million. The worst is that female scholars purposefully sleep with Aids patients so that they could be infected and therefore qualify for the government grant. They are prepared to destroy their young lives for this grant. Poverty is terrible. It's ugly. Therefore, in the rural areas where many young women and teenagers are unemployed, many households are headed by children. When the parents are dead, the grandparents have to look after the grandchildren. In these areas the orphans and the grandparents who look after them, get grants from the government. Non-governmental organisations and churches also step in. But this is not enough. Keep well.

Swart [11/21/2006]

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Q: On our prayer request list for Evaton Noord and Poortjie we ask prayer for the students who will make profession of their faith on Nov 5. Are young people required to go through classes and pass an exam to qualify for full membership? How often are classes held, and who teaches them?

A: The students must pass the examination to be confirmed as a full member. This year, unfortunately, two failed. They will repeat next year. Our church believes that our members must know the Bible. They must speak with ease about God (Father, Son, Holy Spirit), justification, righteousness, sanctification, heaven, hell, resurrection, etc. The classes meet once every week. Qualified pastors are doing the teaching. [11/2/2006]

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Q: In our Denomination (CRC) groups of churches in geographic areas are organized into "Classis" that meet to coordinate and to discuss things of mutual concern. The group our church belongs to is called Classis Pacific Northwest. Do you have such a system in the URCSA? If so, what is your area group called? How often does it meet? What things are handled there

A: We have 10 congregations in what we call a presbytery. This presbytery meets annually, where each church presents a report about its work. In the report the following things are addressed: Finances, evangelism, youth work, women's work, men's work, Sunday School, Catechism, Music, Hospital, Schools, etc.This is done through forms supplied by the synod. Our presbytery is called "The Presbytery of Evaton." However, if there is an issue that needs urgent attention, the presbytery meets to address it. Presently, I'm the chairman of the presbytery. I was reelected this year for yet another year. [11/2/2006]

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Q: Do you have elders and deacons in each of your churches? How many and how are they selected? Do women serve in these positions?

A: We have 10 elders and 10 deacons. The serving church council elects them during its official meeting. The names are announced for three consecutive Sundays. If there is no objection, they are inducted during a church service. We have 12 females in our church council of 20 members. The secretary and the vice secretary of the church council are females. The executive of the church council consists of females only. [11/2/2006]

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Q: From how far around do people come to attend worship services?

A: In Evaton Noord some church members are staying as far as 10 Km from the church building. They catch taxis to come to church. We thank the Lord for their preparedness to pay money to go to church. [10/16/2006]

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Q: How many typically attend your worship services?

A: The average of church attendance is 150 each Sunday. [10/16/2006]

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Q: How many members do you have in each of your churches?

A: We have approximately 300 members in Evaton Noord and 100 in Poortje. [10/16/2006]

General questions

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Q: Do you play soccer over there?

A: Our South African boys are soccer maniacs. They love this game. We have two micro soccer kits for our youth and children. They enjoy it. We also use soccer to minister to the youth and children. Before we start playing we teach the Word of God. Our children are supporters of Brazil national squad, Arsenal FC, Manchester United FC, Liverpool FC, Real Madrid FC, Juventus FC. Soccer is in the blood of our children. [10/23/2006]

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Q: What is your climate like? I have read that winters can be quite cold. What is the summer like? And how is it right now (springtime)?

A: Our winters and summers are very harsh. In winter the snow falls on the high mountains. Sometimes sheep die because of this cold weather. The temperature at some plces plummets up to 12 degree Celsius. Our summers are very hot. There are some areas where the temperature reaches 40 degrees Celsius. This is our rainy season. In winter we only get rain in the western cape The springtime is dry and windy. There is dust almost everywhere. [10/16/2006]

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