Pastor Gerrit Mes launches book chronicling a life of faith and community
A nostalgic look at decades of ministry, community building and newspaper history, including the remarkable story behind Dial-a-Blessing and a lasting local legacy.
After decades of ministry, writing and community involvement, Pastor Gerrit Mes and his wife, Jorid, have captured their remarkable journey in a new book, Miracle of Love – Founding and building a church and a community.
The book was launched during a church service on Sunday, September 6, taking readers back to the couple’s early days as students, their journey together, the founding of the AFM Church in Noordheuwel and the eventual construction of the church auditorium in Libertas Street.
A journey of love and faith
Described by Jorid as a coffee-table read, the book offers a nostalgic look at the people, places and experiences that shaped their lives and the church community they helped establish.
For the couple, the book is a reflection on decades of faith, relationships, ministry and the many unexpected turns that shaped their journey.
From Dial-a-Blessing to the Krugersdorp Nuus/ News
One of the stories documented in the book also highlights Mes’ remarkable 40-year relationship with the Krugersdorp Nuus/ News.
In January 1983, Mes launched Dial-a-Blessing after seeing an opportunity to use a telephone answering machine to share a daily prayer, Bible verse or thought with the community.
The idea quickly gained traction, with the service recording 9 000 calls in a single month by September that year.
Keen to tell the community about the initiative, Mes approached the Krugersdorp Nuus/ News and met then-editor David Raath.
Raath promised to run a story, but the encounter led to something Mes could never have anticipated.
Before leaving, Mes told Raath, “If you need me for anything, just call me.”
Raath did – seeking personal guidance. A week later, he offered Mes a weekly column in the newspaper.
Mes continued writing the column for 40 years, publishing his final article in January 2023.
A lifetime of unexpected miracles
For Mes, the journey reflects a lifetime of unexpected opportunities and faith.
“Those were exciting days. The church was growing, doors were opening, and it seemed as if one miracle were leading naturally to the next,” he wrote.
“But faith is not only tested when prayers are answered. Sometimes it is tested most deeply when the miracle we beg for does not come.”
Miracle of Love is available directly from Gerrit Mes. Interested readers can contact him at gerritmes@gmail.com.
