To those who have an interest to read the story of an individual who didn’t really understand what life was really about, who neither had a positive guide to teach and show him how to make the right choices in life, if they told you what was right they would always do the opposite of what they say. Well I think nobody gets to choose the situation they are born into, but I guess, and I firmly believe that you can change your situation or your circumstance. Change is inevitable change is possible only if you decide you want change, the whole world is talking about change, and yes there has been change but are we living for the change and the difference that we can make in our Families, Homes, or community, country or nation.
My name is Bradley I am the second oldest of five kids, I am currently situated in Cape Town Athlone Bridgetown, I have been living in Bridgetown all my life, Bridgetown is one of the most popular areas in terms of gangster ism and drugs. I grew up with a single parent my father was shot and killed when I was to 2 years old, my younger brother from my father side was shot and killed, then I had a cousin who was also shot and killed in gang related activities.
Why I am saying this is because one of the most Notorious gangs the Young Americans have been birthed out of our community not only did it start in our community it was actually a group of men that I new on very close and personal level, well my Father at that time was chosen to be the leader of this so called gang who had just emerged.
My uncle, who was involved in strategic planning, as to what the gang planned to do. 3 Generations later I found myself in the same cycle, and wasn’t sure if I was going to spend my life in prison or end up dead as my father. In our society we look up to gangsters and drug dealers as our role models, we have no one to guide us neither is there any compass to direct our paths, and so we choose our destiny to die for what we stand and believe in, it has been 16 years of my life that I have been enslaved and controlled by gangsterism and drugs.
My name is Brent Williams and I am currently 32 years old. I hail from a community called Bridgetown. I grew up in the area and have been living her all my life. I don’t come out of a wealthy family or house but out of a very good home. I did not have everything but also lacked nothing so to speak. I have very good parents that always gave me their best.
I started drinking at the age of 13 years old and drank up to the age of 29 years old. (Drank for 16 years). I started using and experimenting with drugs at the age of 21 years old and used for 8 years, up to the age of 29 years old. When I started using and experimenting with drugs I got involved with gansterism and a notorious gang called the “Americans”. To support my drug habit I eventually started to sell drugs in my community and it did not matter to whom I sold (Old or young). When using the drugs (methamphetamine) it affected me mentally and I had terrible hallucinations .I always thought that the world was out to kill me. One evening I help my parent’s hostage with a long butcher’s knife threatening to kill them. That is when I know that I needed help.
My mom then brought me to the Impact Centre where I was counselled but most importantly introduced to Jesus Christ. That is where my journey began. I was counselled, mentored and disciple by Impact Direct. After that they saw it fit for me to go on various workshops and training. I eventually became part of the staff here and am one of the counsellors .I am also a Community Developer now and works and serve our community. This has been a very exiting journey thus far. Looking forward to what God is still going to do and my progress and development here at Impact Direct Ministries.
Mike Santer, a businessman from the UK, greeted the church and gave his blessings from abroad and then he asked the church to pray for Southampton and the church in the U.K. He had a video camera that he used to record us praying for the church in Southampton.
Gary Wills, an IT lecturer from the UK, will be bringing the word to our Church.
Reading from Matthew 13 vs 53-54: “When Jesus had finished these parables, he moved on from there. Coming to his hometown, he began teaching the people in their synagogue, and they were amazed. “Where did this man get this wisdom and these miraculous powers?” they asked.”
Good morning, today we are blessed to have Dr Gary Wills and Mike Santer from the UK, as well Hou Jian and His family.
Pastor Roger Peterson addressing the church.
Hou Jian was a Buddhist, when arriving in Cape Town, to learn English and study more than 7 years ago. He was invited to a church service by Craig Dumont, a friend from University. Hou Jian however was reluctant, because in China it is believed when people lay hands on you, in prayer, you will die. He then decided to come to the service, and was touched by God in a Mighty way.
HOu Jian and his family being Welcomed to our Church.
One evening at Impact Direct’s office while praying over Hou Jian, Pastor Roger Peterson got a word of God that Hou Jian will lead his family to Christ over the telephone. Hou Jian’s mother who had heard of his conversion to Christianity, was afraid that he would die, went to a Buddhist monk, to pray for her son, the Buddhist monk then told her that her son was at a safe place and told her about a gray haired man that is looking after her son and that he is at a safer place than he has ever been, that put her at ease.
Hou Jian then led his mother to the Lord over the telephone, along with his entire household.
They had planted many churches in China, even building a church in a poor village, with over 2000 members.
Today Impact Direct Staff attended a Business Breakfast at Granger Bay Restaurant organised by New Trends and Outlooks a business owned by two young men Kyle Jonck and Jason Martin.
The aim of this breakfast is to get business men and women using the power of social media therefore the two guest speakers was no other than Marlon Parker that spoke about “Important Jumps for the future of your business” fish where others are not fishing.
Marlon Parker at Business Conference 2020
The other speaker was Dave Duarte a Digital Media and marketing educator in Cape Town and his talk was around “Marketing 2020″ He shared so many interesting facts regarding marketing and social media.
Dave Duarte at Business Conference 2020
“As we go forward, I hope we’re going to continue to use technology to make really big differences in how people live and work.”
Sergey Brin
Jason Martin(19) Had been a drug Addict since my Father past away in the year 2001, for his life was hard as a young lad. His mother could not provide for him, all clothes he wore was broken, life was tough. He only family member finishing his education and establishing a business
Since he accepted Jesus His Life went from better to Better, Strength to Strength Today he’s set free of Drugs named; Tik (Methamphetamine
), Dagga (Marijuana), Tobacco and Alcohol he is now 4years free of it and fall part of a team called the Impact Team. Jason now an ICT Student at College of Cape Town.
Kyle Jonck (20) An Economics student at Unisa.
Grew up in Mitchells Plain, in a dysfunctional home.
This did not keep him behind, he never indulged in any form of drugs
He decided to take on the business world, looking forward to the future in expectation
of accomplishing goals
New trends & outlooks started with two youngsters from Bridgetown Athlone .Kyle Jonck and Jason Martin met at the Impact centre ,they decided to start a business conference ,with the aim of empowering the youth ,business leaders ,entrepreneur and people wanting to start their own business.
Impact’s Director, Roger Peterson has gone to the UK to visit our sister church’s in Salisbury, Red Hill, South Hampton and Bromley.
He will be there for 3 weeks going around to churches about what’s happening at the Impact Center and building on an already strong relationship, which started 10 year‘s ago when Apostle Roger went over on a mission trip to the UK.
Because of that trip, we have had many friend’s of the UK coming to SA, to avail themselves to the underprivileged communities in South Africa. We’ve had many positive stories coming from theses trips.
We will keep you posted on Apostle Roger Peterson’s trip to the UK.
Friday The seniors, were spoilt to a lovely day of pampering and honouring.
Impact Direct and Social Development came together and hosted the HONOURING of the senior’s, honouring off the senior’s is very important to Impact Direct.
The day consisted a heart wrenching talk on Dementia, done by Bobby Judzen of Dementia SA, who’s wife also suffers from a form of Dementia.
The day ended with the pampering of the senior’s feet and hands as well as checking of the blood pressure and weight.
Today impact Direct was blessed with a visit from a spokesperson from St Luke’s Hospice, Eleanor Ruiters who has worked for St Luke’s for 10 years.
She spoke about the myth’s that come with St Luke’s, some people think that when you go to St Luke’s you going there to die.
“You draw strength from the patient’s, who still has that zest for life, who still not giving up on life” Eleanor said.
St Luke’s Hospice provides palliative care
to people who are approaching the end of their lives. A team of skilled professional staff
and volunteers improves the quality of life of these patients through early identification, impeccable assessment and treatment of
pain and the other physical, emotional, social and spiritual needs of the patients and their families. This is given, irrespective of the
patient’s ability to pay for the service.”
St Luke’s started working in the in patient care field in 1982. At this time the St Luke’s Hospice offices were situated at the Vincent Palotti Hospital in Pinelands. Then they were moved to a home in Trill Road Observatory but it became obvious that the premises were too small and with the help of the Lombardi Family Trust in 1985 the present Kenilworth property was acquired.
“I enjoyed the talk, and learnt a lot about St Luke’s, learning that it‘s not always when you going to die that you need to go there. I don’t need to give up on life, but be positive an d live life to the fullest” a senior said.
Its that time of the year again,We at Impact Direct Ministries are hosting a benefit for women from diverse walks of life,this is a follow up of #EEC2009 = Educate,Empower & conquer…you have the key, THIS YEAR #EEC2010 …. I AM WOMAN!
Please join us on the 27th of March 2010 for a breakfast conference that you’ll never forget.Cost per ticket is R130.00.
As you know for those who attended last year it was a stunning venue,we promise to deliver again.
Please leave a comment if you are interested in a ticket/s as we only have 20 tickets left. Alternatively call Fran Chauhan on : 0732254607 or
Rene Parker on: 0798118536.
Every Wednesday is very special day for the senior’s of Impact Direct, as they are treated like royalty, having their feet and nails pampered. The group consists of 180 seniors broken up into smaller groups of 20-25.
“When we come to have our feet pampered, we feel brand new like a different person, you feel the Love of the volunteers. I can’t wait for the next session” Gadija Joseph who has been coming for the pampering for 2 years.
“It’s an awesome experience; seeing different faces people, knowing that there’s different emotion’s that come along; I love taking the blood pressure, knowing that the pressure has underlying issues, bitterness emotional and unresolved issues; I always ask the Holy Spirit to lead me to edify the people.” Gail Osborne a volunteer at Impact Direct.
The pampering which has been running for 5 years now.
