This morning I attended the Julbilee Church in Cape Town with my host family. The church is renovating a big warehouse and the sanctuary is already finished.
Downstairs they are building Sunday school and meeting rooms. The service was held in English, so it was easy to understand, even with the South African British accent.
The music was a contemporary mix of worship songs in English and two songs in
“Kosa” an African dialect spoken in Capetown. The musicians included guitar players, bass, drums and even a sax player.
“Jubs”, as the locals call it, makes an effort to welcome all types of races and social backgrounds. On Sunday nights they have a large number of young adults and college students who attend.
Another popular church in the area is named “Common Ground”. It is known for its vibrant, young congregation and community outreach. Aaron Treadway, who is on staff with Ambassadors in Sport (AIS), preaches regularly at this church when he is not travelling for AIS. I even met a man on one of my flights whose daughters go to this church and like it a lot.
South Africans tell me that more than 50% of their population attends church, one of the highest percentages in the world. But false doctrines abound, and many have a pretty shallow faith. In Soweto we saw several billboards advertising a church that meets under what looks like a huge circus tent. My hosts told me that this church teaches a “prosperity gospel” that leads people to believe that if they give to the church and trust in Christ, He will give them good fortune.
But the church we attended was vibrant, alive and evangelical. I had met the preacher at the house of my host family several times, and even went to the Manchester United game with him and his family. He spoke about our need to believe that every trial is for a purpose, and for us to comfort others with the comfort we have received from God.
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