AFM Cypress church turns 98, changes name to AFM Charisma
It has been a long existence for the Northmead-based Apostolic Faith Mission (AFM), in Cypress Street.
The church was started in 1916 and, on September 7, it embarked on a new chapter, which included a name change.
It is now known as AFM Charisma.
Explaining the name change, Past Jean Smith said: “Charisma means ‘Gift of Grace’ or ‘Favour freely given’.
“It is our mission here at AFM Charisma to be a gift to the rest of Benoni, hence our name change, because we believe there is more in a name.
“We believe it’s a new season in this assembly’s existence and we believe God has placed a calling on this assembly to be a blessing to our city.
“You can’t start the next chapter of your life if you keep rereading the last one.
“On Sunday morning, September 7, we held a special and unique service; a service with a party flavour.
”We had cake and presents and a new name.”
The pastor added that even the people in the houses surrounding the church building benefited from the party.
“Cupcakes and balloons were delivered to them by the children’s church.
“All of this just to confirm that we want to be a blessing to our city.”
The pastor believes that “God belongs in our city” and that “Our city, is God’s city”.
“A couple of weeks ago we prayed for all our community institutions – the fire brigade, the police force, the medical profession, children’s homes and many more – what a blessing it was,” said Smith.
He added that, as a church with a deep history in Benoni, that came a long way with this city, they want to be a blessing to this city.
On Friday, November 28, 1969, the Benoni City Times reported that the assembly was started in 1916, by Past E G Henning, in a small shop in Swan Street..
That means, this AFM Assembly will be 100 years old in 2016.
It has been led by several pastors over the years.
Pastor van Coller took up the reins initially and was followed by a Past Booysen, until Past de Waal took over in 1925.
From 1941 to 1944, Past WJ Rheeders was the leader, then Past Jan Langerman (1944 to 1948), until Past JH Snyman stepped in from 1953 to 1958,
Pastor JMC Botha was twice called to guide this assembly, first from 1951 to 1953, and then from 1959 to 1971, followed by Past Bertie Wort from 1972 to 1978 and Past Joe Hawley from 1978 to 1989.
Pastor Harry Ellis served from 1989 to February 2013.
Today, the church is led by a team of pastors, including, Jean Smith, Arnold Uys and Peter Breytenbach, who also run an outreach programme in Benoni, called “Outreach Unlimited”.
