No Plan B!

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Blog written by Bryan Steel – the Principal of newly formed Christian High School.

 

2 Corinthians 5:5 says, “Now it is God who has made us for this very purpose and has given us the Spirit as a deposit, guaranteeing what is to come.”

God has prepared us for whatever purpose He has in store for us on earth and He Himself has guaranteed our future, what is to come.

I believe God has prepared me for this very thing of joining Oceans and Valley Tutoring Centre. He has prepared me by letting me teach in Fish Hoek for so long, establishing relationships with so many people and then moving me to a private school giving me experience with private education. For years, I ran a youth group of high schoolers and have now been involved in a few meetings with the students from the USA. God has led me in my career to be involved in both primary and high school aged students. I know it is the right time for me to be involved in establishing this Christian school. People have been asking me about my decision and I keep saying I have no plan B. I believe it is what God wants me to do.

This is a brief story about God’s promptings-how He moves and plans and then gives us the opportunity to get on board.

A while back I had met with one of the Oceans Ministries’ Kingdom Encounter teams from the USA. At that time my wife Zelia and I were praying about whether I should leave my job and join this endeavor of growing the tutoring centre to a Christian School. Meeting that team felt like I had been set up because when I left that evening, I had confirmation that I needed to make the move and follow God’s lead. God used students who were in the same age group as the students as those I would be overseeing with this new position as Head Master.

Then after I had made my decision, Zelia and I met with another Kingdom Encounter team. We had such a good time with this team of students from the USA. They were so encouraging and seemed so focussed on heavenly things. Together we joined in worship, prayer and a time of sharing, this really helped to confirm that I had made the right decision and convinced both of us of the following:

1. This is what God wants me to do.

2. A Christian School is needed in the area and I want to be involved.

3. These kids from the USA are the type of young people I would want my children to have as friends.

2 Corinthians 5:7 says, “We live by faith, not by sight.”

Though Christ is not present in bodily form today, we live by faith in the reality of His presence with us and the certainty of all the promises concerning our future.

We know that Satan is not happy with what God is leading us to do. We have already experienced fight back and disruption. Our desire is that the school will be established on God’s Word, will lead people to Jesus and will produce students who love Jesus-so that when they leave the school, they will go out with a kingdom focus and ready to share Jesus with everyone they meet.

This is my prayer:

Father, I walk by faith following You and allowing You to lead me wherever You want me to go. Please keep me close to You, hearing You and seeing Your hand at work in my life, the lives of my family and everyone involved in the school. Amen.

Christian High School Opens on ORC Campus

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Zoe (center) with Holland Christian Kingdom Encounter Students

Blog written by Mike Verkaik 

After months of prayers, preparation and paperwork the high school began holding classes on the Oceans Retreat Center (ORC) campus in July. It is the first Christian High School in Fish Hoek, South Africa.

To explain the journey Oceans Ministries has been on to be a part of this new work of the LORD would take several book chapters. However for perspective, the seed for a Christian School in South Africa was first planted 10 years ago in Lesotho, Africa. With similar united hearts land was prayed over and purchased to begin development. However, within months it became clear that a school was not the reason for the land purchase as a church was soon built on the land and our dreams were placed on hold.

Abba has now brought us full circle as in June Tim, myself and a team from Holland Christian joined staff and friends to worship, pray and dedicate the work God began so long ago. We were in awe as people shared how our Father God orchestrated the common passions and hearts of so many to birth this dream into reality. By our Father’s provision we were also able to meet Zoe, who is the recipient of the first Oceans’ Scholarship to attend the school.

It has been a roller coaster of a ride for the team of teachers and the 56 full time and 18 part time students as they transferred onto the ORC premises. In the midst of winter rains, major flooding and sewage problems began their stay. The weather continues to be hectic with pouring rains and thunderstorms, but as vice-principal Heather Cicatello professes, “The LORD is good and we are coping. There are good things happening and the staff and students are very positive about being on the campus grounds.”

Tim and Patty spent several months in countless meetings, planning and praying as the opportunity for a school on ORC campus developed and stated, “It is overwhelming to consider how the Sovereign Streams of God have flown together to begin the first Christian High School in Fish Hoek, South Africa. We believe only God’s amazing sovereign hand could have brought this together and we are placing all the needs, students that will come, staff, teachers, principal, yes all the details back in His firm grip knowing it will be by His grace and strength alone.”

Students in Conference Room on Oceans Retreat Center Campus

“Riding the Waves of God’s Grace”

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How we need testimonies in our world of those who finish well.  A few years ago I encouraged Pastor Bill Bierling to write down his life and ministry story to share with a new generation. A new generation who need to hear the truths about life’s highs and lows and how to finish well. After some long hard work by both my mom Harriet, and Bill, the much anticipated project is now completed.

The words below are written on the back cover of the book to summarize the blessings that are inside his book.

“The title “Riding the Waves of God Grace” is a perfect description of Pastor Bill. As a young pastor beginning to feel overwhelmed by all the responsibilities with the church, God brought Bill into my life at just the right time. He understood the pressures of ministries and taught me and my family how to ride the waves of the Father’s amazing grace.

As a loving step-father Bill modeled and taught me essential Biblical truths that would help shape me as pastor, father, and husband.

Little did we know that some years later we would be riding spiritual waves together as we pastored at the River Church in Redlands California. That season was filled with supernatural works of grace one being a wave that would take us to Lesotho and later thrust my wife and I forward to a calling in South Africa.

I believe you will be blessed as you dive into this autobiography and read stories of grace that shaped Pastor Bill and made him a great example of one who lives out the gift of God’s great grace.”

I hope you have a chance to get a copy of the book and learn from one who has been riding the waves of God’s amazing grace for many years.  You can order a copy directly from Amazon.