By Becker Semela:
A church that started online during the COVID-19 lockdown in 2020 is still going strong, even without a physical building. Jehova Nissi Online Ministry, formed during a time when churches were closed due to lockdown regulations, continues to preach the Word of God and offer prayer and support to many people across South Africa.
The online church, started by chairperson Pastor Jimmy Leeuw, supported by his deputy, Reverend Vuyo Stuurman, and other pastors in the Free State, celebrated its five-year anniversary in Welkom, Free State, on May 10, when its leaders and other members met for the first time physically. Leeuw said that with the support of various pastors and church members, they decided to create a space for worship and prayer that would not be affected by lockdown levels or physical restrictions. Since then, Jehova Nissi Online Ministry has never closed.“We noticed that many people were not returning to church as they used to. Most only attend during big events like Easter, Christmas, or the first Sunday of the New Year. So, we wanted to create a place where people could still worship and hear the Word of God, no matter where they are,” he said.
Leeuw explained that their goal is to save souls from evil attacks and help people return to the Kingdom of God. This mission is one of the reasons why the online church has grown from hosting services once a week to now having services every day.
Deputy chairperson Vuyo Stuurman added that the church is open to everyone and is now reaching almost every town in the country, and is not limited only to the Free State. “We are not saying people should leave their churches and come to us. We don’t have a building, we host our services on a WhatsApp group, so anyone can join us for prayers and still go to their own church on Sundays,” he said.
Asked about how they know and retain their membership since it’s not a physical church, Stuurman said membership changes from time to time because it’s a virtual membership that is based on followers. “Members do change. Yes, they don’t have specific records except on the WhatsApp group, so one person who missed the sermon can go back to the messages and listen,” he says.
Stuurman also shared that many people were discouraged during the pandemic, but they thank God that people are slowly returning to the faith and looking for spiritual support again.
The Ministry now holds services twice a day: in the morning from 5 a.m. to 9 a.m. and in the evening from 7 p.m. to 9 p.m. The services include preaching, prayers, and counselling from different pastors and reverends. People who are interested in joining the ministry or who need counselling and prayers can connect with the church through their WhatsApp link: https://chat.whatsapp.com/ESgbPlEmTdVHelnImwECYZ
Although the world has changed since the pandemic, the passion to preach the gospel and help people spiritually continues to grow. Jehova Nissi Online Ministry proves that the church is not just about the buildings, it is about people, faith and the love of God. – @NewsSA_Online – @NewsSA_Online
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