How would you describe God?
The 4THE1 ministry in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, just outside Cape Town, recently celebrated its 7th birthday. For the birthday, the team and some of the children were asked to make signs with the characteristics of God. The prompt was "Ons vier God want Hy is ..." (We celebrate God because He is ...). It was beautiful to see what was written: love, all-powerful, trustworthy, Saviour, my guide, good, Father, almighty, creator, my rock, peace, big, sovereign, friend, patient, loving, gracious, faithful, mighty, beautiful and lovely.
At the birthday celebration, the children, guests and team were able to celebrate all of who God is! There was also a large timeline up for the children to remember the journey that the Lord has taken them and the ministry on. Many of the children loved the photos which brought back fond memories and sparked discussions among them.
An empty park on the 9th April 2019, just after 2 pm, was the birthplace of a ministry prepared to be the very soil God chose to sow seeds of grace, love and mercy to change countless lives in Sir Lowry’s Pass Village, bringing hope to the hopeless and faith to those who didn’t know Him as Lord and Saviour.
Books and Biscuits was started so that the children would hear the Good News of Jesus Christ and that lives would be transformed now, but also for eternity. The invitation extended on that first day remains – “gaan roep jou maatjies”. “Go call your friends” and let them hear, let them feel, let them experience, let them know that there is truth to be found in the Bible. We have a powerful Creator God who sees their existence, who knows each one intimately and who loves them dearly. Our great God longs to have a personal relationship with each one. As it is written, Jesus said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of heaven belongs to such as these.” Matthew 19:14, and in Mark 10:16 “He took the children in his arms, placed his hands on them and blessed them.”
Over the years, the name changed from Books and Biscuits to 4THE1 and God has faithfully raised up many people to serve in the cause of making disciples in a part of the community where no work for the children was being done. God called His people to pray fervently and give generously to the ministry. Over the years, God has provided faithfully for all the needs and thanks be to Him for He is worthy of all our praise!
Over time, the ministry has gone through various trials, but God has faithfully brought the team through each challenge. Like with most ministries that start up, finding the right people who are able to commit themselves weekly and who are faithful to the Lord are often hard to come by. Jesus even talks about this, saying, “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:2. The team have prayed to the Lord of the harvest, and at times they have been “lean”, and other times there has been an abundance.” What the Lord consistently demonstrates is that He always sends enough. This has grown faith and dependence on Him. It is His work, and He will supply all that is needed to serve the children and love them well. God has brought many faithful people to come alongside the ministry of 4THE1 over the years. Without the support of partnering Churches, obedient individuals, SIM, the prayer team, other stakeholders and the Board, 4THE1 would not be where it is today. Just as the body has many parts but is one entity, so 4THE1 is made up of many parts, with Christ being the head.
By God’s grace, His work has continued and will continue with the precious children of Sir Lowry’s Pass Village. The desire is to see individual lives transformed by the gospel so that healing and restoration can take place within the community is as strong as ever, and the weekly programme of evangelism, discipleship and education clubs continues as the outworking of this.
As one supporter who attended the 7th birthday celebration said: “This year’s 7th birthday celebration of 4THE1 ministry was a real eye-opener on many different fronts. The converted containers on the plot of land had been utilised and decorated to remind us how God has provided for this ministry over the years.”
To God be the glory!
