Rooted course I Establishing believers in Jesus

Rooted course I Establishing believers in Jesus

By Philip Antonios Michalitsis and Rita Olsen

On the 14^th of October, we hosted a Rooted Graduation party for the 11 people from Sir Lowry’s Pass Village who attended every session of this discipleship program and had completed the course.

 

We worked through the Rooted course every week for months, meeting in a small backyard shack in winter in the dark and cold, come rain or shine. You might be thinking: “So, what’s the big deal? Many people study something from time to time?” (I was hoping you’d ask.) The big deal is that these people will never be the same! Their lives have been drastically transformed as they have been learning the awesome truth of the Word of God. This is the way to change their community and our society – from the inside out.

 

Jesus said, “It is the spirit that quickens (brings to life); the flesh profits nothing, the words that I speak unto you they are spirit and they are life”. (John 6:63)

 

Let me allow some of the graduates to say it in their own words:

 

“I never heard the Word taught like this before. It gave me a lot of understanding and changed my outlook. I got a different picture of God and it has helped me be a better person. The Lord especially gave me more love for the children.” Anna

 

“The Rooted course has impacted me a lot. I have even been sharing some of what I have learned with some of the people at my workplace. At one point my boss was sick, and I heard his wife and daughter talking together about the need for him to write his will. I prayed for him and asked Philip and Rita to pray as well. Four days later the boss was back at work acting as if he’d never been sick! I also prayed for my child who woke up sick one night and the Lord miraculously healed her!” Eleanor

 

“I have come to realize who I am in Christ, my true identity. I never knew that I could pray for myself and always used to try to find someone that I could confess to and that could pray for me. I’ve been set free from legalism and I never before realized the power and impact of knowing who I am in Christ!” Wayne

 

These are just a few of the many testimonies that the Rooted journey has impacted.  Coming from and living in a township where rioting and unrest and dissatisfaction is common, these people not only have found a new outlook and security in the Lord, but they are now a growing force for good in their community.

 

This group is now spreading the word and we have at times had so many people wanting to come to GraceLife (Stellenbosch campus) that both the bus and our bakkies were overloaded with people. We could have never achieved this without the wonderful partners and supporters of Gracelife Ministries. The free resources that are constantly being made available are a big blessing to these dear people who eagerly eat up every bit of Word they can get, but who would not be able to buy it.

 

Through your partnership, we were able to give each participant a free Rooted workbook and some of them have already started teaching others from their book.

Together, we are changing the world! We would like as a final word to encourage you with the words from Hebrews 6:10, which says: “For God is not unrighteous to forget your work and labour of love, which ye have showed toward his name in that ye have ministered to the saints and do minister!”