Missions on motorbikes to spread God’s word

ENTER Pastor Vic Lewis suave, courteous and spreading the Word.

The sixty-one-year  pastor, originally from Newcastle, has been called to service at the Empangeni Full Gospel Church as of last week.

Looking forward to great changes, Vic still has some adjusting to do.

‘Empangeni has treated me well so far, the people are friendly and that’s great, but I’m struggling with the heat,’ he said.

Married to qualified tour guide Sharon, Vic celebrated their 35th wedding anniversary in their new home in Empangeni.

‘Three kids and four grandkids later, I couldn’t be more favoured,’ he said.

Having a beautiful wife who travels fairly often, things are not quite dandy in the kitchen with Pastor Vic.

‘Cooking is not one of my strengths. Everything goes straight into the microwave,’ he said.

In his early years, Vic worked in the motorcycle mechanics trade, but in 1974, God called him to ministry.

‘I went off to Pretoria to study at the Berea Theological College and after graduation, I came back to KZN,’ he said.

Ministering in Amanzimtoti and Winterton, Vic then served 24 years at Elim Community Church in the Bluff, Durban before his move to Zululand.

‘I have involved myself in various projects in ministry, and in the last three years, I have been making a transition from church to mission,’ he said.

He is affiliated to an international mission organisation known as ‘World Outreach’. The aim of the initiative is to mobilise and equip churches with an understanding of mission living.

‘We focus on every church adopting the mindset of a mission, to partner with God and reach out and create a world Christian mindset, and participate and help to fulfill God’s mission,’ he said.

During his 30 years of ministry, Vic has paid special attention to rural areas with an initiative called ‘Africa Rural Mission’ which is based in Imfumi on the South Coast . The initiative intends to reach out and disciple households with the use of off-road motorcycles.

‘I love motorcycles! I have an interest and knowledge of them and I have been getting involved with a bikers’ church in Durban known as the Christian Motorcycle Association,’ he said.

‘Moving to Empangeni was perfect timing on my journey with God,’

‘My new church was predominantly Afrikaans in the past, and I’m English-speaking, so it’s exciting to see the Church become multi-ethnic. Training will enhance our ministry,’ he said.

‘Living in Zululand, I want to train Zulu leaders to open churches and see God’s wisdom and hand in what has taken place. The aim is to diverge from the mono-ethnic idea,’ ‘My main goal is to establish a discipleship counselling centre, allied with ‘Freedom In Christ Ministries International’, to help people resolve spiritual and personal conflicts and find freedom in Christ,’ he said.

In years to come, Vic hopes to see the church grow strong and healthy with a network of simple Kingdom communities reflecting God’s glory globally.

‘Although we are local, our vision is global because our God is big,’ he said.

If Vic is not helping others and spreading the Word of God, his favourite thing to do is to spend time with his grandchildren

‘They live in Ballito so I make the trip as often as I can. They are so precious and I absolutely love them, he said.