One of the practices of Rev. Stephen Pedro, MSS for Congregational Witness, is to visit congregations, especially those that are “vacant,” to listen to what they are busy with, offer advice where necessary, and inform them about the available synodical services for our congregations. He usually takes newsletters, pamphlets, and other materials to strengthen the work of our church councils.

One such visit took place on Friday, 19 January 2024, to URCSA Kareedouw.

The church council members expressed their appreciation for the visit, and they agreed that it should be followed up with a workshop about Contextual Bible Study and our Integrated Ministry Model (IMM).

According to Rev. Pedro, his visit to Kareedouw, like the many other conversations with the leadership of congregations over the past years, reaffirms the need for support, training, and guidance of our church councils, elders, and deacons. He also said that while listening to the church council’s version of the congregation’s story, he again realised how much we need each other to do the Lord’s work.

He will now work further with the relieving minister to take hands in addressing the challenges and needs of this and other ‘vacant’ congregations in the presbytery.