Dear Friends,

Life in South Africa has many challenges including crime, unemployment, poverty and AIDS. Individuals and families are under a great deal of pressure and society at large is unable to provide the answers and the practical support that people need. Is there a message of hope, a means of triumph, amidst these realities?

There most certainly is! Paul in Roman 8:37 writes, "Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us." The Church exists to proclaim Christ’s victory over sin and death and to help those who have placed their faith in Christ to live in the victory that He has provided. At Midrand Chapel we therefore aim to reach people and teach people for maturity in Christ ("Whom we preach, warning every man, and teaching every man in all wisdom; that we may present every man perfect in Christ Jesus" Col 1:28).

We believe the purpose of the Church is to bring glory to Christ by faithfully carrying out all four of its central biblical functions:

• GOD CENTERED WORSHIP – The Church glorifies Christ through exalting His character and worth both in word and deed ("Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven." Matt 5:16; "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God."Rom 12:1-2).
• BIBLICAL TEACHING – The Church glorifies Christ by faithfully upholding His truth contained in the Bible ("But if I tarry long, that thou mayest know how thou oughtest to behave thyself in the house of God, which is the church of the living God, the pillar and ground of the truth." 1 Tim 3:15; "Notwithstanding she shall be saved in childbearing, if they continue in faith and charity and holiness with sobriety." 1 Tim 2:15).
• UNITED FELLOWSHIP – The Church glorifies Christ by demonstrating His sacrificial love toward each other ("By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another." Jn 13:35; "He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be no more children, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind of doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive; But speaking the truth in love, may grow up into him in all things, which is the head, even Christ: From whom the whole body fitly joined together and compacted by that which every joint supplieth, according to the effectual working in the measure of every part, maketh increase of the body unto the edifying of itself in love." Eph 4:10-16).
• BOLD OUTREACH – The Church glorifies Christ by proclaiming His unique sacrifice and gracious offer to a lost and dying world ("For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life." Jn 3:16).

If you are looking for a Church home or needing personal assistance, please contact us, or come and join us one Sunday morning. We would be honoured and delighted to serve you.

In Christ,

Chris Woolley
Elder
cwoolley@midrandchapel.za.org