Our Goal is to save souls

On 28 February 1995 in the old Simba Hall in Russell Street, Worcester, a small group of believers congregated excitedly and, upon seeking God’s guidance, decided to establish the “Worcester Christen Gemeente”. Influenced by the prophetic word of Kobus Theron, who identified Johan Schoonraad as the church leader, it was decided that Johan, a practicing attorney at the time, would lead the congregation. Therefore on the 1st of March 1995, Johan Schoonraad officially assumed his position as pastor of the new small congregation known as “Worcester Christen Gemeente” or “WCG”, as it is called these days. Little did these believers know that God was going to do great things among them and through them in the coming years. The Planter was preparing the soil for this new ‘seedling congregation’ to prosper and grow.

Over the next few years the young church moved often, from the Simba Hall in Russell Street to the Worcester Preparatory School hall and then to Worcester East Primary School hall. Johan laughs as he reminisces about this turbulent time.

Eventually the growing group found an unconventional home, wedged between retail outlets in Adderley Street, where they remained for 10 years. It was at 63 Adderley Street, where God enabled the Church to grow and expand even further.

In 2000 WCG launched its own Bible School Training Centre, using the CLT Bible College’s curriculum, offering Certificate and Diploma programs in theology and ministry. This was a very busy time for Schoonraad, as he was a father of two at this stage, still practicing as an attorney, pastoring WCG and heading the training centre. Members from outside of the church attended the Training Centre, and the training programs even started to branch out to nearby prisons. The Bible School in the prisons will eventually become the launching pad for the Prison Ministry in 2012.

By 2008, fulfilling an old prophecy of expansion given to WCG and to the Schoonraad couple, the building in Adderley Street could barely contain the fellowship of believers now attending WCG. This was also a year of ministerial expansion as the personal ministry of Lizette Kloppers merged with that of WCG. Lizette received a direct command from God in the form of an audible voice saying: ‘Feed My People.’ She approached her church, WCG, and this led to the founding of the ‘Mercy Ministry.’ Today the Mercy Ministry provides food parcels to needy families and stocks various soup kitchens in and around Worcester.

By the end of 2008 WCG out grew its home in 63 Adderley Street and moved to the Old Penny Pinchers building in 68 Baring Street and even further enlarging the building in July of 2012. This location would serve as the Church’s long term location, as the WCG-family eventually were able to buy this property – their first ‘house’ – in 2018.

The next five years, 2011 – 2016, would serve as the years of dramatic ministry expansion. WCG’s influence started dramatically outward, even influencing the business sector through the registering of the Grace Trust in 2011. This new ‘branch’ would be a new ‘grafting word’ of God within the WCG Tree. The Grace Trust is a registered BPO, geared towards delivering services for socio-economic upliftment through the light of the Gospel.

In the next five years the Lord would add four ministries to the Grace Trust (Grace House; Swop Shop; Prision Ministry and the Multi-Purpose Sport Project), making WCG a prominent Kingdom Influencer in the region.

In Johan’s own words: “WCG se storie, is ‘n storie van die Here se getrouheid. Hy was en is getrou, al is ons soms ontrou. Ek staan verslae soms en wonder…..waar kom al hierdie lidmate vandaan?! Die Here het werklik Sy Woord gestand gedoen: ‘As you build My house, I will build your house.’ En die Here het. Hy was getrou!”

The last two years has once again been a remarkable time for WCG. Johan’s summary: With the world wide COVID-19 pandemic during 2021-2022, WCG experienced God’s goodness, faithfulness, mercy and provision in such a remarkable way. Despite the global lockdown that extremely disrupted so many individuals, house holds, businesses, farming, practices, schools and churches, it was the best two financial years for WCG since the foundation in 1995! During this time all four buildings were paid in full .. and by the end of the so called lock down period, we were debt free! WCG gives all honour and recognition to God for this. It is only He that could do this .. because He alone is almighty! It gives us so much faith, peace and expectation for the road ahead .. with Him as our senior partner, Leader and Provider, we are excited about our future!