OUR HISTORY

In 1989 the present property was purchased …….

Meaning of the name "BIZWENI":

The word Bizweni comes from the Zulu word "Mbizo", which means "the king calls", and therefore "Bizweni" means, "Called to a place of meeting by the king" or abbreviated to:

"Place of Meeting"

Founder & Apostolic Leader

Kobus' first exposure to the apostolic ministry came in 1973, while he was still a lecturer in Mathematics and Physics. After listening to and being gripped by a number of taped messages on the kingdom of God, the restoration of the Church and the five-fold ministry, he and his family moved to the USA where he then had the privilege of sitting under and flowing with, an apostolic team based in the USA, known as Living Word Ministries, founded by Stevens. After a period of 15 months they returned to South Africa where he entered into full time ministry and became actively involved in church planting and ministry.

Following the death of Stevens in 1983, Kobus and his leadership team formed a relationship with Bryn Jones and his apostolic team, Covenant Ministries, based in the UK, of which Alan Scotland had been a part since the early seventies. Following certain changes in Covenant Ministries and Bryn's death in the late nineties, Kobus and his team continued their relationship with Alan Scotland - who then formed his own apostolic team, Lifelink Ministries International to this day. In 1986 Kobus and his wife Hazel planted the church that is now known as Bizweni Community Church in Somerset West, which is destined to become an apostolic resource base where people will be equipped to fulfill their various assignments in God. Together with a team of ministries that have been raised up over the years (some of whom have been with him for over 30 years) they currently are in networking relationship with several apostolic teams in South Africa as well as in different nations. Although it may be true that the first seeds of what is presently known as the Apostolic Reformation, have been sown in their hearts many years ago, Kobus and Hazel with their team of ministries joyfully embrace this new season. They realise that the apostolic anointing and insights are not only much deeper, but are also reaching a fresh corporate momentum accross the nations to bring the body of Christ to the full stature.

Leadership

The church, which is now called Bizweni Community Church, was founded in 1986 by the direction of the Holy Spirit under the leadership of Kobus & Hazel Swart , who now preside as senior eldership couple. Kobus is flowing in relationship with other ministries and churches locally, translocally as well as with apostolic teams internationally.

Alongside them, this house is also blessed with two other elders and their wives: George and Lenie Collins as well as Daniel and Linda v Eeden. As a shepherding team, we welcome you with us! If you are looking for a church family where you could become an active partner, we would like to meet you and answer any questions you may have.

Meetings

BIZWENI COMMUNITY CHURCH is a family of God's people whose principal aim is to follow Jesus Christ and to grow both individually and collectively to be like Him. We embrace people of all races and backgrounds with God's love as we are all one in Jesus Christ our Lord and Saviour. If our style of worship seems different to what you are used to, know that we believe in teaching and practicing the Scripture as our solid foundation.

The Children's Church will cater for your children during the service with teachers that will open the Word of God to them on a level with which they will be more comfortable.

 

The Youth meet regularly to discuss relevant topics that will help the young people cope better with the challenges they face in our day and age.

 

Home Fellowship Groups

According to the book of Acts, the early church gathered together in their homes ministering to one another and caring for each other (Acts 2:42-47). We believe the church should still function this way. The home groups meet once a week (usually on Wednesday evenings) for people to share their hearts, be equipped spiritually and also to be used and also led by God for the building up of other home group members - (1 Cor. 14:26)

Contact our church office at Tel: +27 21 851-2042 to be put in touch with a home group near you.

Weekly Schedule:

Accountability

Bizweni Community Church is organisationally autonomous. Through the years of its existence, however, the leadership have always believed in being accountable not only to the congregation, but also to other apostles and prophets. Like Paul in Galatians 1 and 2, who submitted his gospel (which he received from the Lord) to those who had been apostles before him, Kobus and the leadership with him have established strong relationships with other apostolic teams, both nationally as well as abroad.

Currently such relationships are in place with apostolic teams in South Africa, U.K., Brazil and the U.S.A., while other apostolic networking relationships continue with leaders in Argentina, Malaysia and Zimbabwe, with other more recent ones forming.

We believe that in God’s great Restoration Process underway in the earth, a growing sector of the Body of Christ finds itself in what could perhaps be the final stages of the Apostolic & Prophetic Reformation. Many theologians agree that the First Reformation took place under Martin Luther at around 1515. The Second great Reformation took place in 1906 with the outpouring of the Holy Spirit in Azuza Street, and the Third Reformation is what is presently known as The Apostolic Reformation. The roots of this Reformation (which is described by a number of authors as greater than the First Reformation) can most likely be traced back to the revival that started in 1948 in North Battlefort, Canada. As it developed through the 50’s, 60’s and 70’s of the previous century, it was given various nametags in different countries. It is now generally known as the “Apostolic Reformation”.

We believe that this apostolic networking process that is rapidly underway across national and racial/ethnic/cultural boundaries will continue until it forms the Great Net that will be used by God in the End-Time ingathering, which will culminate in the Great Feast of Tabernacles before the return of King Jesus. We consider ourselves privileged to be included in God’s end time plan!

THE HOUSE OF GOD IN THE CITY

A final word of thanksgiving to the Lord regarding what He is doing in many metropolitan areas, including here in the Helderberg basin.

While it is always easier to build relationships with leaders and churches outside one’s local area, this tendency cannot be justified. And it is therefore with great joy to not only take note, but also to be a part of the growing unity that is taking place amongst church leaders here in the Basin. May this become a strong witness locally and beyond, as we become part of the answer to Jesus’ prayer in John 17:21 “…that they may all be one… that the world may know that Thou didst send Me.”!

Bizweni Community Church has a dynamic vision of not only impacting our local communities with the gospel, but also of helping and where necessary planting other groups and churches further afield.

Word of the Week

Has God Said?
Kobus Swart

Satan’s strategy has not changed. What he did to the first son, he did to the second Son and he’s doing to the third son. Adam is the first son, Jesus is the second Son and the third is the corporate son. God is always speaking and we, as humans, are supposed to be listening. The more we listen to God, the more impartation comes and equips us to become exactly what He wants us to become.