A sacred encounter in Seawood Estate
In the almost three years, Cheryl and Guy Veltman have turned around a once sinking church and more than doubled the congregation.
Taking over the Destiny Life Church in Seawood Estate, leaders Cheryl and Guy Veltman aim to help people embrace the reality of heaven while here on earth.
After spending 10 years leading a church in Scottburgh, the couple and their three children have settled in Seawood Estate bringing a fresh approach – starting with changing the name of the church to Encounter.
In the almost three years, they have turned around a once sinking church and more than doubled the congregation.
“We started with about 50 people and slowly we grew the church to about 140 people excluding children.
“Our goal is to be a church that not only talks about God but we want people to personally encounter his greatness and transform change using their giftings.
“Our only secret is that we preach the truth from the Bible and if it rings true to people’s hearts when they join us. We know that there is a new season and we wanted a new name to signify that,” said Guy.
Having met in Pietermaritzburg where Guy ministered as a youth pastor, Cheryl – a nurse at the time – gave up her job and joined in the journey of fellowship. Together they worked to develop the Encounter Church to one that sees a mix of young and old with the youth steadily growing.
Guy said there was a tendency in churches to talk about God without introducing people to God.
He wants to change that.
“We want people to know that God is not some guy out there that is cross and wanting to give people a hard time.
“I also do not want to be seen as the lead preacher and we do have other seasonal preachers taking the stage. We have started introducing the youth to preaching and they are doing great.”
One of the challenges the couple aims to overcome is the influence of the modern world on churches.
“There is a pull between worldly ways and God’s way and if not careful those worldly ways have the potential to creep into the church. People see the church as a way to clear their conscious on Sundays but there is no lifestyle change and no realistic change in their relationship with God.”
Hoping to help more people get closer to God, Encounter Church offers an array of activities and courses on their website: www.encounterchurchballito.com
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