Nelson Mandela Bay church leaders have called on local Christians to attend an Ascension Day service on the square in front of the Port Elizabeth City Hall from 3pm to 5pm on Thursday May 30.
“We need to reclaim one of Christianity’s most sacred days,” says Apostle Neville Goldman of Ebenezer International in a letter to NMB Christian leaders, urging them to support the initiative.
Ascension Day was removed as a public holiday in 1994.
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Goldman says “a group of concerned leaders believing that God had spoken to us”, adopted a proposal by Apostle Jerome Liberty of Victory Ministries International, that the initiative be hosted by PE FM radio station. “This created a neutral platform from which we could unite the Body of Christ,” he says.
In a Facebook post, PE FM says entrance to the Ascension Day prayer event is free but supporters can buy stickers at R10 each as a donation towards costs. Stickers are available at the offices of PEFM87.6, Word of Life Church, Word of Faith Christian Centre, Ebenezer International, Victory Ministries International, AFM Grace House (Arcadia) and Sprit Life Ministries (Uitenhage).
Acknowledging that the initiative is being organised at short notice, he calls on Christian leaders to “put our energy together to accomplish the reclaiming of Ascension Day.”
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“On that particular day we would like to build an expectation of this to become an annual event where we pray for our city and we pray for our leaders,” he said in an interview. He also said the pastors who have united behind the initiative hope that it will spread nationwide.
Pastor Jimmy Crompton of Word of Faith Christian Centre said in an interview: “I am expecting a massive turnout — approximately 10 000 people. We desperately need a strong testimony throughout the city.”
Speaking earlier this month, at the pastors’ first meeting about reclaiming Ascension Day, Liberty said: “The enemy steals the very core values of Christianity.” He said they must cry out to God for unity among the city’s churches, so that they would all pray towards common values, common vision, and against a common enemy.
In his letter to city Christian leaders, Goldman urges them to add their names to more than 62 leaders who are already standing behind the initiative.
He says unique aspects of the proposed annual event are:
- Christians in our city taking back one of the most sacred events in our Christian calendar
- Praying for the city – There are no cities in South Africa who have put aside a day to pray for their city and council.
- Promotes Church unity
- Public testimony of united Christian church.
For further information about the initiative please email Apostle Goldman at nevillewg@icloud.com
This is going to be a Powerful testimony in the city. We calling on all in PE and surroundings, especially all AFM Pastors and members to go out in their numbers to support this event.
Shalom
Pastor Terence Faltein
Blessings upon Blessings
This can only be God that has prompted this Kingdom initiative.
Incarnation, resurrection, ascension and second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ is critical to every believer.
I support the Ascension Day on the 30th of May
It’s time for this city and it’s inhabitant to know that Jesus Christ is Lord.
It is wonderful to see the church arising and working together in such unity.
It will be great to see the Square packed to capacity, as we combine to reclaim this very important Christian Holy Day!
Don’t miss this historical opportunity of gathering with the others members of the Body of Christ !
2 Chronicles 7:14 King James Version (KJV)
14 If my people, which are called by my name, shall humble themselves, and pray, and seek my face, and turn from their wicked ways; then will I hear from heaven, and will forgive their sin, and will heal their land.
King James Version (KJV)
Public Domain
“But as for me and my house, we will serve the Lord” (Josh. 24:15, NKJV) were the concluding remarks given by Joshua, who encouraged the Israelite’s to proceed into Canaan, despite the giants that lived there.
As for me and my family we will trust and follow the God of Abraham Isaac and Jacob. It has been said that God gives a Land the leaders they deserve, as a Nation I believe we are under Judgement as we have accepted the murder of innocent babes through abortion, accepting same sex marriage (Gods desire through marriage was the multiplying of human kind to subdue the earth.) passing laws to use drugs, South Africa have one of the highest divorce rate in the world. South Africa are counted as being a murder capital in the world. Corruption abounds in Government , business and life in general. Taking ascension day off from a public holiday is our governments slap in the face of God. my family will celebrate Ascension day. Regardless of governments attitude. They must remember they are public servants elected todo the will of thepeople, regardless how small tht minority may be our constitution protects or right to religious practice, at least for now.
Greetings in Jesus Name, All Praise to our Lord Jesus Christ, Blessed be His Name “Men of God” for this absolute important stance iro our Faith, i was always appalled at this Govt having removed Ascension Day as if wanting to extinguish from our very fabric/humanity and Spirit man any remembrance of His promises in John 14 v 1-6, that He would go & prepare a place for us so we could one day be with Him & Acts 1 v 9-11 that He would return just as He had ascended in a cloud, to deny that Christ Jesus rose from the dead & ascended into heaven. Congrats to you all for your boldness standing up against the “anti-christ system” Joshua 1v7-9 “B Bold, B Strong for the Lord thy God is with you where ever you go” My love & prayers are with you all, especially on this Holy Day, unfortunately Elaine & I won’t be able to attend as we’re in Nanaimo on Vancouver Island, Canada, but rest assured I’ll be contacting all our precious brethren (Brothers & Sisters) to attend & join hands together with you in unity, Glory! Halleluyah! Your brother in Christ, Hugo Theunissen, Living Word Ministry – Africa
We really bless the Lord for the unity of the body of Christ in the Metro, we’ll continue to seek the face of the Lord as the nation of Israel did!
For a long time Israel was without the true God, without a priest to teach and without the law. But in their distress they turned to the Lord , the God of Israel, and sought him, and he was found by them.
2 Chronicles 15:3-4 NIV
https://bible.com/bible/111/2ch.15.3-4.NIV