By the “rivers” of Ballito, there we sat down

The punk steam decor of the new Rivers Church in Ballito reflects the appreciation for art and creativity.

Each exquisitively carved wooden door, each chandelier each wooden dresser has been designed and crafted by members of the Rivers Church in Sandton.

Planting a church is no mean feat, but the River Church crew has spared nothing to make their venue, formerly Destiny Life), inviting, interesting and welcoming. They want it to be a “home from home”.

“Every church is unique and just as different shops’ style and size suits different folk, so do different churches appeal to different people,” said Pastor Adrian Olivier.

When I remarked on the venue’s arty vibe, Adrian said as God Himself is the great creator, and we are made in his image, it goes without saying that creativity and appreciating it is part of our lives.

As head of the creative and production team and part of the executive leadership at the main church campus in Sandton, Adrian said they encourage people to express their creativity like, for example, writing new songs – which get checked for the theology, and then worked on professionally in a recording studio.

“We use music and and art as a way of serving,” he said with a warm smile.

“In exodus, God gave the people the ability to build the tabernacle and produce sculptures etc so just looking around at God’s creation you can’t help but know that God loves creativity.

A home where unconditional love is felt.
Pastoral couple Adrian and his jovial wife Claire beat to a different drum which may well resonate with many people with an artistic bent. Humble and friendly, but on a mission to reach people and “uplift them to go forward in life and add value to the community, this vibrant couple are set to make Ballito their home.

“We are not here to compete with other churches but rather complement them,” said Adrian.
Sporting a black hat, Adrian’s intense green eyes reveal a seriousness and deep feeling for his calling, no surprise really seeing that his parents, senior pastors Andre and Wilma Olivier, started Rivers Church in Sandton 25 years ago.

There’s also a Rivers Church campus in Durban North which has been open for 10 years. So why Ballito? Why now?

Adrian said said they wanted to plant another church in KZN as Ballito is showing up on the radar as a booming area, “we kept our eyes and ear open for a venue. Then this warehouse presented itself and was the answer to prayers.”

Like in Sandton, we are a progressive church and like to speak into issues people are facing. We encourage them and also help with practical input as what is learnt must has an application to life today.

“A church is like a hospital with broken people and we provide a home where they can find unconditional love and healing. We are building a family and an army .

“We have this threefold mission: hospital for healing, family for fellowship and army for purpose.

“We are willing to go on a journey trusting God all the way. We feel we are young enough to have the energy to keep up, but have life experience to speak openly and honestly and have the maturity to be responsible.

Adrian and Claire are also parents of a son, Aiden (11) and daughter Chloe (4).
And right now are really busy still having to commute from Johannesburg and back on Wednesdays and Sundays – until their move at the end of the month.

Creativity with excellence
The church has been operating for one month now and the warehouse has been tranformed.

The convivial Claire took me on a tour of the premises. The Kidszone is a bright and colourful wing with a number of classrooms to cater for children and teens, from age one.

The baby space includes nappy changing facilities.

There is comfortable lounge for parents of babies and breastfeeding cubicles made private with the use of screens.

Church offices are in another wing and the auditorium has the usual electronic equipment necessary for moden-day services.

Naturally the coffee bar, where Adrian served impressive cup of coffee, is the place for people to connect to each other and to God and to feel as relaxed as they do at home. Next to it is the resource centre with books, cds and dvds.

Creativity is at the heart of who we, Claire and I are” Adrian said, “and what we do we like to do with excellence because God is an excellent God.”

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