Doug, 70 - Pastor

“My father was a salesman. We grew up in many places, but mainly in Durban. In high school, we had a Religious Instruction teacher, John Levers — a big, strong brute of a rugby player from New Zealand. He was admired by all, but we couldn’t understand how this guy could teach a “moffie” subject like Religious Instruction. It was through him that we heard the gospel. He was instrumental in me becoming a Christian. Jesus Christ totally changed my life. I was 17. From that moment, all I wanted to do was go to Bible College and go into the ministry. My father said, “No. You will get a degree.”

I wasn’t cut out for university. I’m dyslexic. I was tested at university and found to have a reading level of a standard 3 child. I thought, well, maybe I’ll become a teacher, like John Levers. So that’s what I did. I went to university and studied to be a teacher. Looking back, my dad’s wisdom in sending me to university was the best thing. In fact, it was all in God’s plan for me to do that. I enjoyed teaching.

After four years of teaching, my wife and I both had an opportunity to go and study at Dallas Theological Seminary in America. We were both able to complete our master’s degrees. It was a long, hard struggle, but we did it. We came back to South Africa — to this church — and we’ve been here for 39 years.

I spend a lot of time meeting with people who just want advice and counsel, meeting with others to encourage and do studies together. You see, Christianity incorporates Ubuntu. There’s a very clear biblical principle, and it’s the story of the Good Samaritan. “Who is my neighbour?”, Jesus asks. My neighbour is the one whose need I see, and whose need I’m able to meet. And as we receive, we give. It’s not just giving — it’s listening to their stories, being available and ready, and being wise in giving to and helping people. We are all humans, created in God’s image.

One of the greatest things I experienced when I became a Christian was peace with God. I no longer fear death. I think it’s vitally important that people know Jesus Christ as their Saviour — to know their sins are forgiven and that they have eternal life. Not only that, but to have a relationship with God and live by it. Which, of course, includes having respect for people, loving people, and helping people. We need to reach out and do whatever we can to minister and help others. And you never know what impact that will have on their life. You might never see it, but maybe it changes their life — like God used John Levers in mine.

The most rewarding part of my work is seeing lives changed — to see people’s lives transform through a relationship with God through Christ, whether they already know the Lord or when they come to know Him. But it can be incredibly difficult at times. When people come to you with pain, hardship, or loss, it breaks me. I often want to and do weep. Just seeing their pain and struggles is unbearable. But I’m not the solution — God is. I am here to walk the path with them, to encourage them, to guide them to trust God, because ultimately, they must trust Him. He makes the difference. He changes the situation. I’ll do my best, I’ll pray with them, I’ll bend over backwards to help them. But ultimately, it’s only God who can affect change in our lives. We can choose to focus on what we can do within our immediate sphere of influence. The rest is in God’s hands.

There’s an old children’s hymn:
Jesus bids me shine with a clear, pure light,
Like a little candle burning in the night.
In this world of darkness, so we must shine,
You in your small corner, and I in mine.

Jesus asks each person to live in a way that reflects His goodness, love, and truth. Even a small candle makes a difference in the darkness. Small acts of kindness, faith, or goodness can bring the light of the Gospel and hope to a dark or troubled world. The world can be filled with pain, sin, and despair, but we are called to bring His light of Scripture — to live in a way that brightens it with compassion and integrity. Everyone has their own place or role in life. We each have a corner — our home, work, or community — where we can make a difference. Even if we can’t change the whole world, we can still bring God’s light right where we are.”