In 1193 the ESCA Executive sent out AEF Missionaries, Clint and Anneke Newman to Johannesburg to embark on church planting in a new extension of Lenasia. The Newmans used Faith Evangelical Church as a base while evangelizing a few home in this extension. Brother Vivian Moses (FEC) was seconded to the Newmans to help. Bro Jan Molefe and his wife initially helped in visitation of homes. Slowly a num
ber of believer s were baptized and by the grace of God, a home was found where believers could meet on Wednesday evenings for Bible Study and on Sunday for worship services. This home belonged to Mark and Pam Moses (Bro Vivian’s son) with their 2 daughters and infant son, this home became the initial home of El Shammah Church. As more were added to the church we needed a bigger premises. One of the believers Sr Mercia offered the site of her garage to be used. A steel structure was erected by Ps Clint and a canvas tarpaulin was used to shield believers from the weather. In 1995 the Newmans went to Canada on Furlough, and also to raise funds for the church. In this interim period Ps Viljoen and his wife were helping out with Bible studies and services. It was during Ps Viljoen’s tenure that we were able with the help of FEC and others to purchase the property of Highway Bible Church (also ECSA and started by Ps Moses Stephens)
This property which was situated in extension 9 Lenasia was to become El-Shammah Church’s new home. Also by this time we had secured a used shipping container and a Combi. Ps Viljoen was instrumental in getting the container onto the land and into shape for a church, by installing windows and fans, helped by Ps Seelan Govender and others. No one was allowed to call our church ‘container’ and were fined if they did! Faith Evangelical Church, out mother church did all it could, even donating an old pulpit to help the fledgling El Shammah to grow. When Ps Viljoen relocated to Ladysmith, Natal, Ps Uli Lehman stepped into the scene. He helped in all departments of the church including visitation and evangelism. When Ps Uli went to Germany on Furlough, he raised some funds that were utilized to start work on the structure (the present El-Shammah Church). All the saints of God helped to dig the foundations and Ps Uli organized a builder to start laying bricks. FEC and Ps Seelan Govender were instrumental in aiding us with funds to continue the building up to completion. While this was happening, a young man, Wesley Ebrahim was led of God to go tho Bible College and completed his internship under the mentorship of Ps Seelan Govender at FEC. As a trainee pastor, what better way to start your ministry at El Shammah. This was the first multi-ethnic church within the ECSA serving the spiritual needs of all race groups. Ps Wesley Ebrahim is still the resident Pastor serving with his elected deacon board, to evangelize, teach and produce mature Christian brothers and sisters to the glory of God. As seen from this abridged history, many godly pastors and willing, able men contributed to the establishment of El Shammah Church, echoing the theme “God is Here”, which is what El Shammah means.
