Samuel Welfare and Mission Society

Samuel Welfare and Mission Society

Ministry Background in South Africa

Samuel Welfare and mission society was founded by Pastor Ishtiaq Gill with the vision of church planting in poor communities and for the welfare of orphans and destitute children and poor.

Earlier 2008 he met some people who spoke of churches moving out of a community called Malakazi. The reason was given that while they were having services they were attacked. (Malakazi is a poverty stricken community, located just outside Isipingo, Durban). After hearing this, he met some more people who spoke of the same things. Then in a fellowship with some missionary friends, the same community came up and he was told that the people are chasing the church out of community and crime is high and it's tough ground. They prayed for the place but Pastor Ishtiaq was burdened to visit the community from that time. That's where the seed took root in his heart. After trying to get some help from local churches to reach out to that community he was disappointed. No one was willing to take him there, many said, "You are a foreigner. You can't do anything there, crime is very high, and it's a black township, what if something happens to you?" Some said, "You don't even speak their language-how are you going to communicate with them? You don't know their culture; they are poor people. Who is going to help you, and support you?"

Amongst all negativity around him thank God for few faithful ones who encouraged him to do what God was asking him to do and who prayed for him. In earlier 2009 God gave him 2 dreams about the children. In his dreams he saw the fatherless children crying for help. Those dreams were a clear picture of what God wanted him to do in Durban. That morning he woke up and decided to go to the community. It was around 5Okm distance from where he was living. He didn't have transport. It took him 4 hours and 4 different local public taxis to reach to that place. But he had the perfect peace of God while walking in those streets.

For some time he did a prayer walk in the community and God revealed the needs of the people and place.

After 2 months, on one of the days while he was doing the prayer walk the Lord burden his heart to knock one shack door, and as he did it, one woman came out. Saying this is the Lord, this morning she was praying and asking God why didn't He send someone. She was asking God what is the future of her children and here came Pastor Gill knocking on her shack today. They spoke and prayed together. It was a divine appointment.

He shared his burden about the children and the same week he started the children's church with 6 kids under a tree on the street. And in no time the ministry grew as he labored week after week, after 1 year there are now more than 130 children, most of whom are orphans and abandoned kids. The children's church is famous as the street church. And children from all over the community join the service every Saturday for church. These children were not exposed to the church before but the Lord has done a deep work in their lives . Their lives are transformed and they are being used to preach the gospel not only in their community but all over Durban in music concerts, dramas, talent shows and preaching of the Word. The Society hosts and ministers to these children every Saturday during the Street Church services. We have been involved in each one's life and have discovered that most of these children live with single parents or are taken care of by their grandparents. The reason for this is that most of their parents have either died of Aids, been killed or have simply deserted their children. The Society continues to assist these children with educational programs, food, stationary, toys, school fees, clothing, guidance and counseling on a regular basis.

The Society has also been involved in the welfare of families in the community by looking at the spiritual, physical and emotional needs of the families. Most of the single parents and guardians are struggling to find a job. Some of them are too old to take care of their families and others are sick or bed-ridden (dying of Aids). Drugs, violence and crime have left the families of the community devastated with many insecurities and no hope for the future. Therefore the Mission Society is engaged in the following activities: supplying groceries on a monthly basis, bread distribution every week, assisting with various medical needs, supplying clothing and furniture, helping with grants, fighting for justice, fighting against women and children abuse, hosting Adult church services, providing counseling and hosting prayer programs etc. Despite the harsh circumstances in the community, we thank God for placing us there. Our desire is to be of service to those who are suffering, by sharing the unfailing love of Christ with them through practical means.

Bethel Fellowship Centre was birth earlier 2010 to reach out to adults in the community.

The Lord has blessed the ministry with faithful committed team members. Some of them are Michele, Octivia, Mavis, Gladus, Ronald and Pastor Jonathan Paul. We also thank God for faithful covenant local churches who are involved with us with different projects and our faithful prayer partners across the globe.

There is no doubt that God is busy doing great things during this time. God is restoring hope to people that have lived in a state of hopelessness for too long. Therefore, we will not hold back and continue to do what God has called us to do. We pray that you will join with us in the expansion of this fruitful ministry. This year, we are trusting God to finish our building project, This community Hall will meet the need we have in hosting our Church services and our welfare projects. Our vision is that the hall will also be used as a day care centre for the orphans and poor children in the community. We are trusting God for R 70,000 for the building project. We are also trusting God for a vehicle as it is much needed for our welfare projects. Please stand with us as we believe in God for monthly financial supporters for our mission work, more feeding, stationery, clothing, school fees and grocery sponsors and volunteers.

All the glory and honor goes to our Lord and Saviour Jesus Christ. Only by His grace we can serve Him.