2 September

• 3rd QUARTER 2016 • THE APOSTOLIC FAITH MISSION OF SOUTH AFRICA NATIONAL OFFICE Building no. 14, Central Office Park, 257 Jean Avenue, Centurion, Gauteng, South Africa P.O. Box 9450, Centurion 0046 Tel: 27 12 644-0490 Fax: 27 12 644-0732/4

CONTENTS • Dear Colleague - 1 • Remember how privileged and honored we are that God called us to be shepherds of His flock - 2 • Remember where the AFM came from2-3 • Remember our redemptive calling and purpose - 3-5 • Remember our respect for the Bible as God’s primary revelation for all time - 5 • Remember the fear of the Lord - 6 • Remember our unity - 6 • Thank You!! - 6-8

Dear Colleague, This is the last time I will have the privilege of addressing you in this capacity and by means of this letter. Even though the Pastoral Letter was essentially a one-way communication, I nevertheless tried to inform our pastors quarterly about the most important trends and relevant information pertaining to our church.

Over the past 28 years of my leadership, the world in which we are church and the way we operate has changed a lot.

The challenges have changed, but the opportunities to be ambassadors of Jesus Christ have not diminished.

I would like to leave a few important truths with you in the hope that at least some of you will remember them.

Special GBM Issue SEPT 2016

1 - REMEMBER HOW PRIVILEGED AND HONORED WE ARE THAT GOD CALLED US TO BE SHEPHERDS OF HIS FLOCK. There is sometimes a tendency to regard the ministry as a profession instead of a calling. If that happens and the ministry is viewed as a profession, there are a lot of things to complain about and your human rights become more important to you than sacrificial ministry and service.

For me the local church is, and will always be the primary revelation of the Church of Jesus Christ, and the ministry and the calling of the local pastor is the highest and most elevated in the church. In the political world, leadership and position is often an opportunity to gain power (and money) which is evil. This should never be the case in the church!

The Church of Jesus Christ is a unique and dynamic organism which is led by servant-leaders and is run according to Scriptural principles. These principles can often be applied in the corporate and business world as well.

Against this background I would like to say thank you to all our pastors and assembly leaders – from the smallest to the largest. I want to thank you from the depth of my heart for your faithful service, for your willingness to sometimes even deprive yourself for the sake of the flock of God. Whether you are a five-talent person or a one talent person, whether in a large city church or a small rural church, - thank you that you are faithful to your Divine calling!

“For me the local church is, and will always be the primary revelation of the Church of Jesus Christ.”

2 - REMEMBER WHERE THE AFM CAME FROM While we must never forget that it is God who called us to this ministry, we should also not forget what a privilege it is to work for Him both within, and from the platform of the AFM. Though we do not exalt the -2-

REMEMBER WHERE THE AFM CAME FROM cont.

AFM above others within the framework of the greater Church, yet we must acknowledge with humility that the AFM as a denomination, was planted by God. We are not the product of doctrinal schism or of a disgruntled church-leader who wanted to “do his own thing.” The AFM, as the first and oldest classical Pentecostal church on the continent of Africa, is the result of a sovereign and unstoppable work of the Holy Spirit. If the historic churches of that time had made room for the movement of the Holy Spirit and for the restoration of His work and gifts, the AFM would most likely never have existed. Sadly this was not the case.

“... yet we must acknowledge with humility that the AFM as a denomination, was planted

by God.”

3 - REMEMBER OUR REDEMPTIVE CALLING AND PURPOSE In the light of the aforesaid facts, the big question today is whether we are still faithful to the original reasons for our existence? Church history indicates that, after the first generation, it is extremely difficult for any new movement to maintain its original values and passion. Think of the church of the Ephesians who, after the first 43 years had to hear from Jesus Himself: “Nevertheless I have this against you, that you have left your first love.” Rev 2.4

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REMEMBER OUR REDEMPTIVE CALLING AND PURPOSE distinguished us in the beginning as a Pentecostal cont. movement still applicable to us? Are we still true to

Our uniqueness, that which from the beginning distinguished us as a church, was the person and work of the Holy Spirit. All churches believe in the Holy Spirit, but the Pentecostal movement recognized and experienced His work. Firstly, there was the baptism in the Holy Spirit with speaking in tongues as the initial sign. This is still, internationally, the distinguishing characteristic of the Pentecostal movement. In our confession of faith this is clearly indicated.

“Our uniqueness, that which from the beginning distinguished us as a church, was the person and work of the Holy Spirit.”

However, the question is, to what degree do we still believe and practice it? How often do we ourselves speak in tongues? Do we still preach it?

Do we still regularly pray for people to receive the baptism in the Holy Spirit? Are the leaders of our assemblies at least filled with the Holy Spirit? Do we still celebrate Pentecost? And most important of all – what are the fruits of the Spirit amongst the members of our churches?

Together with the working of the Holy Spirit there are the gifts of the Holy Spirit. Are we prepared to answer honest and difficult questions about to ourselves about these? How much of the gifts are evident both in our lives as well as in our churches?

Do we make room for them? When last did we witness a genuine and unquestionably and divinely miraculous healing? In short, is that which

the legacy of John G Lake?

“... in the early years, the AFM was also known for our passion for souls.”

Alongside the baptism in the Spirit and His work, in the early years, the AFM was also known for our passion for souls. In all humility, I can firmly state that for many years, there was no church in South Africa that was more known in this respect than the AFM. One-on-one testimonies, open air meetings, tent meetings, evangelism meetings with open invitations to publicly surrender to Christ – all these were known as AFM practices.

This is why, in our AFM Game Plan we lay so much emphasis on our missional calling and responsibility. This is who we are – or at least who we are supposed to be. Every member should again be made aware of this and be filled with the Holy Spirit so as to truly become agents of the Kingdom. The key to this is largely in the hands of our pastors.

It is not without reason that the baptism in the Spirit and the desire to witness is an outstanding characteristic of the Pentecostal movement.

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“Every member should again be made aware of this and be filled with the Holy Spirit so as to truly become agents of the Kingdom.”

The Bible indicates that these two things go together - “You shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you: and you shall be witnesses to Me...” Acts 1: 8 With the above in mind, I want to call upon our leadership at every level, and all our pastors, to heartily embrace our One AFM Game Plan and follow it. I have no doubt that this strategy is of God and will help us to strengthen our unity and relationship with one another, and also to mobilize us and empower us to fulfill our original God-given calling. Please make sure to be part of it all!

4 - REMEMBER OUR RESPECT FOR THE BIBLE AS GOD’S PRIMARY REVELATION FOR ALL TIME One of the characteristics of our time – especially in the Western world – is a growing undermining of the authority and the integrity of the Bible. Under the guise of “scientific realities” everything that is supernatural in the Bible is written off as ancient fables and legends. This secular/humanistic approach to the Scriptures is fast becoming the socially-correct view and where this view is not accepted people are branded “fundamentalist” or even “fanatical.”

“The AFM bows unreservedly in reverence before the authority of the Bible.”

The danger is that this view may rear its head amongst us as well – and especially amongst those who have not experienced a genuine encounter with God. While we must understand and interpret Scriptures within the cultural context of their time of origin, God’s revelation of Who He is, is made understandable even to the simplest of people. Every aspect of our lives, our salvation and our future is also clearly dealt with in the Scriptures.

We confess that the Holy Spirit was operative in a remarkable way in the writing of the Scriptures and we wholeheartedly accept His inspiration and revelation. The AFM bows unreservedly in reverence before the authority of the Bible and we strive to live according to its precepts.

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5 - REMEMBER THE FEAR OF THE LORD The fear of the Lord is not a negative fear but is a deep respect for Him – a respect for His love, a respect for His power, and a respect for His judgment. Today we lay much emphasis on His mercy and His love and, of course, these qualities can hardly be overemphasized. However, when I see the behavior and the indiscipline of some of our people (and pastors), I can only come to the conclusion that they have lost the fear of the Lord.

I think one of the main reasons for this attitude is because they have not had a powerful encounter with God and do not have a walk in the Spirit. In the New Testament we often read of “great fear” coming over the people when they saw some supernatural act of Jesus in their midst. If we would again experience the mighty presence and the fearsome holiness of God, we would spontaneously have great respect for Him.

6 - REMEMBER OUR UNITY One of the most important happenings in the history of the AFM was when, in 1996, after decades of race-based division, we became one structure. I am so thankful that we obeyed God at that time.

“This year we celebrate 20 years of unity.”

This year we celebrate 20 years of unity. I am aware of the fact that there are still challenges and there are aspects of our unity which are not yet perfect, but we have come far. The leadership and composition of our church at national, regional and even local level mirrors our unity. When taking into account our changing demographics and language

situations, many of our local churches have already achieved a spontaneous and remarkable unity.

In a country where the drums of racial division and polarization are being beaten, we can bear witness, and we have a calling to demonstrate to this hurting country that things are different where God reigns. More and more we must appreciate the diversity and the multiplicity of our country and its people. We must realize that our cultures and practices can differ from one another but we can still have the humility to respect and love one another. After all, our vision statement begins with the words: “We see a church accessible to all people, celebrating our unity and God-given diversity...” Our church has been enriched by becoming one and we have every reason to thankfully celebrate it.

THANK YOU!!

And so I come to the end of my official ministry as President of the AFM. It was an honor for me to be the 7th President of the AFM in 108 years and to carry this responsibility since April 1988.

I can honestly say that I never sought this position.

On the contrary, when I heard which way the wind was blowing on that election day, I wanted to flee and hide. All who know me are aware of the fact that I never lifted a finger or made any plans to be elected in any way whatsoever.

I have always had the impression that I probably lacked certain important leadership traits. And yet I was never threatened by anyone and no other leaders can say today that I ever undermined them.

All that I can humbly think and believe is that God chose to use me for a time such as this and especially for the grace to lead this church into unity and to accommodate its diversity and differences in one structure.

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THANK YOU!! cont.

I want to say thank you to my fellow office-bearers who tolerated and respected me in spite of my short-comings since 1988. These men helped lighten my load over these many years and until today.

Thank you to all those who, over the past 30 years, served with me on the NLF (Executive Council). Over the years I have already had to bury a number of them. During this time some special friendships and relationships developed. Thank you that you accepted my leadership to such a remarkable extent. Thank you for the occasions when you supported and helped me in a special way such as when my son had a serious accident and also when I had open-heart surgery last year.

I want to say thank you to all my colleagues – every one of our pastors and leaders on every level - for the goodwill and the respect I received so spontaneously over the years. I am thankful that we can remain colleagues and friends.

In particular I wish to thank my Black, Colored and Indian colleagues for the way in which you accepted, trusted, respected and supported me. I am deeply humbled and thankful that you, who were by far in the majority, did not try to control the church by political means, but placed the interests of the Kingdom above all else.

To my wife, Heletia, our three children and two children-in-law, I can only say a big thank you for their love, loyalty and support over the years. The church and the ministry were very good to us as a family. I am not retiring with a family which has grievances and rejects the church. On the contrary - God was good to us and the AFM was also good to us. We are deeply thankful.

Above all, I want to express my highest and my deepest appreciation to Him who called and kept me, who blessed me abundantly and equipped me with talents and gifts, so that at the end of my journey I can say: “The work you gave me to do, I have completed.” Through the years it has been my sincere commitment and desire, never to bring the name of the Lord or His church into disrepute. I am grateful that I can hold high the banner of the Lord and can retire on this high note.

My predecessor, Dr F P Möller, retired gracefully and never interfered with my leadership even though he may not have always agreed with me. I have always honored him for this and I want to do the same. I trust God for the right leaders in the right roles and positions for our church at a time such as this. I will not in any way peer over shoulders or try to interfere. I will for example very seldom, if ever, be seen at council meetings. I think I have had my share of it.

This does not mean that my calling and ministry is past. While, for some years now, my ministry has been wider and has extended further than the AFM, I will always be loyal to the AFM. My health is graciously better than in years. I am fit and energetic. The Lord has created platforms and given me opportunities to live to the full and I intend to continue doing so. The only difference is (and this is a privilege of retirement) that I will keep myself busy with the things that energize me and not the things that drain me.

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THANK YOU!! cont Once more I say "thank you" for the privilege of being your servant, brother and colleague as I greet you for the last time in this capacity!

SHALOM!!

Isak Burger

“... And so I come to the end of my official ministry as President of the AFM.�

From Left to Right: The Burger Family Isak Burger National Leadership Forum Game Plan Launch NLF 2013 NOB Members Game Plan Facilitation Newly Elected Office Bearers 1996 Isak Burger June 1996 July NLF 2016 Farewell

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