Orchard Group – March 2017 – Pro Deo Church Launches in Cape Town, South Africa

The Redwood groves in California are one of nature’s wonders. These trees can grow 275 feet high and 25 feet in diameter – large enough to drive a car through! Some of the trees are over one thousand years old, withstanding fires, floods and strong winds. With the tops of the trees reaching into the sky, one might assume that the roots go down hundreds of feet into the ground. Redwoods actually have very shallow root systems, sometimes only 12 feet deep. Unusually, the trees’ roots reach out towards each other, interweaving to create a strong support system. Because they need each other to survive, redwoods can only be found among other redwoods. Their strength is their interconnectedness.

Church plants are made stronger by being connected to healthy partners and supporters as well.

Last month, Pro Deo Church successfully launched in Cape Town, South Africa. The church will have a healthy start thanks to partnerships from churches like Renaissance Church in Harlem (planted in 2014), Discovery Christian Church near Pittsburgh (planted in 2003) and Mosaic Christian Church near Baltimore (planted in 2008).

Mosaic sent a group of 12 people the week before launch to serve the Pro Deo team. Group leader Mike Winger explained, “If Mosaic can leave the local body of believers encouraged, we consider that a ‘win.’ Mosaic has been a strong supporter of multiple new churches, including Miami Church, Epiphany Church, Elevate Community Church, Restore Church, The Foundry, and Revolution Annapolis.

The Mosaic team was busy the week before launch. They were present every day on the oceanside Promenade, a popular gathering place in Cape Town. During lunch hours, the team would hand out water bottles and flyers. During the evenings they set up teams to play volleyball and games. Conversations with Capetonians revealed that many considered themselves religious but were no longer attending church. The conversations proved fruitful on launch Sunday when people came to the church launch due to them!

Pro Deo has emphasized that it is a church where everyone belongs. In a society where people can feel isolated, this is a church for connection. In a country known for history of apartheid, Pro Deo desires to be a diverse group of people built across race and social class that points to the unifying power of the good news about Jesus.

Pro Deo Church has a healthy start because of the interconnected support system of the partners who give generously and pray faithfully. And it’s even more joyful when new churches are supporting more new churches!

For more photos from Pro Deo’s launch, visit our website here!

Meet Courtney, from Mosaic Church in Baltimore
(right, with Louis and Yolandi Scheepers, lead planters of Pro Deo Church)

After college, Courtney found herself in a toxic relationship and drowning in credit card debt. She was unhappy, but didn’t know where to turn. Her sister invited her to Mosaic Christian Church, and Courtney started to attend. Repeatedly, the sermons were relevant to the issues that she was dealing with during the week. The Biblical messages were providing hope for change. “God would even use the music to speak to my issues. What I was hearing and learning helped me to trust God,” Courtney said.

continue reading Courtney’s story here