Today, the congregation in Bloemfontein is the CRC flagship, with over 38 000 members. Pastor At is personally pastoring two congregations that operate as one church in two locations, namely the CRC in Bloemfontein and Pretoria. The Pretoria church has grown to a membership of over 10 000, and is continually expanding. Pastor At commutes between the two cities on a weekly basis. A data link-up for live broadcasts of church services and administrational meetings has been established and proved to be a great medium and success. Innovative and advanced for a church, it is perfectly in line with visionary modern business management in using every available avenue and technological tool, to expand operations in as many venues as possible. In September 2008 three more congregations (Durban, Cape Town & Kimberley) linked up to broadcast services from Bloemfontein to their congregations. Currently CRC Bloemfontein is Linked up live to 19 other church venue's on a Sunday, including Canada and Afghanistan, and three correctional facilities. The prison ministry is expanding every month!
Ps. Hennie van der Merwe
Born in 1977, Ps. Hennie v.d Merwe grew up in Bloemfontein. He attended HTS Louis Botha, after school he persuaded his passion for the financial industry, spending many years in the Banking sector.
Hennie turned a dirty deal to his advantage
Partly because getting dirty is something he associates with having fun – even though he is wheelchair-bound and partly because his guiding principle is that he’s prepared to get his hands dirty for God.
As the bullet ripped through Hennie van der Merwe’s chest and abdomen and he realised he was paralysed from the waist down, he faced up to how much more he had lost than just the cell phone the thief was after.
As he recovered in hospital and took up the reins of his new life as a paraplegic, Hennie realised how much more God had given him than he had before. “Life rewards your attitude, and I am living a far better life now than I was before I was shot. God has done amazing things for me and shown me a better way. I’ve realized everyone has problems, it’s how you handle them that matters. You’re only as disabled as you make yourself.”
In 2010 Ps. At Boshoff requested Ps. Hennie to join CRC Bloemfontein as assistant pastor and in 2012 got ordained as Senior Pastor for CRC Nelspruit. Ps Hennie met his wife in Ministry and his daughter, Juanè was born in 2001.
Elizna is a qualified teacher and also attained a Degree in BA Fine Art P.G.C.E. Besides her role in the Music ministry, Elizna also supports Ps. Hennie with all his ministerial duties. She is an excellent homemaker, organizer & key role player in the growth of CRC Nelspruit!
Ps. Hennie, Elizna & His daugter Juanè has a
passion for God, His House, His People & a
passion for life! Under the Autority of Ps. At Boshoff, they lead and serve as head Pastor of CRC Nelspruit.