Covenant Grace Church | Port Elizabeth, South Africa

• Greg Heasley
• Sep 17, 2009
• Series: Church Profiles

Covenant Grace Church

Location: Port Elizabeth, Eastern Province, South Africa

Launch date: October 2008

Mission, Vision & Values

Covenant Grace Church exists to fulfill the 'Great Commission' by being a Gospel centred community of believers that exalt in the Sovereignty of God, that boast in the Cross of Christ, and that live by His grace and for His glory.

Values:

1) A church that delights in and cherishes the Sovereignty and Grace of God. (Eph 2v1-10, Romans 9-11)

2) A church with a high view of Scripture, emphasizing its inerrancy, sufficiency and authority for all of life and church practice. (2 Tim 3v15-16, 1 Pet 1v23-25)

3) A church with a Gospel-centred approach to ministry; rejoicing in the power of God as revealed in the life, death and resurrection of Jesus Christ. (1Corinthians 1v18-31, Rom 1v16-17)

4) A thinking people with clear affirmations and deep affections awakened by a true vision of God. (1 Cor 14v20, 2 Tim 2v7, Matt 22v37)

5) A missional church that engages all spheres of life and culture with the Gospel. (Acts 17, 1 Cor 9:19-23)

6) A worship life-style and experience that is biblically-based, historically rooted, culturally aware and Spirit-empowered. (John 4v24)

7) A commitment to the corporate and community life of the local church. Founded upon family values with lifestyles that prefer simplicity over luxury and generosity over riches. (1 Tim 6v17-19, Phil 4v10-20, 2 Cor 9v1-15)

8) A people devoted to Gods' means of grace – the Lord's supper, believers baptism, fellowship, prayer, preaching, evangelism, and bible study. (Acts 2v42, 1 Tim 4v13-16)

9) A church, that partners with like-minded churches, denominations, and networks. (1Cor 1:12, 3:4-9, 4:6)

10) A passionate people whose chief end is to glorify God and enjoy him forever! (1 Cor 10v31)

How did you build up your core?

Mostly through family, friends and word of mouth.

What were the biggest challenges you faced in planting your church (and/or currently facing)?

1. Working full time in secular employment for the first 5 months of the church plant.

2. Dealing with Christians from other churches who have misunderstood our reformed distinctive. This is mostly because of the strong (yet poor) representation of Dutch Reformed Churches in South Africa. Comments like "you guys dont believe in the Holy Spirit" have not helped establish a postive perception. Despite this God has been really good!

What is your philosophy of community in your church and what does that look like practically?

We are a Gospel-centred church around which we build community -- not a community-centred church to which we add the Gospel.

We have a strong emphasis on relationship and living out our faith in everyday life. We facilitate this by having midweek small groups where discussion and more personal ministry is encouraged. We also encourage our people to be intentional in reaching out to the unchurched in their spheres of influence -- this often involves food orientated socials. Many of our people are involved in city-wide community projects with the poor and orphaned.

What is your philosophy of evangelism in your church and what does that look like practically?

We consistantly remind our people that the Gospel has transformed our lives and brought us together for community and mission! We do this practically by: 1) Seeing ourselves as missionaries 'in and for' our culture. 2) Inviting people into Gospel community. 3) Informing people of the Gospel - proclamation 4) Embodying the Gospel in our own lives - demonstration.

How did you become involved with Acts 29? What have been the biggest benefits of being in the network?

First heard of A29 from John Piper's ministry - Desiring God. After reading and researching the online resources, I made contact with guys in South Africa who were also impacted by A29. Some of these guys went over to the US to attend the Text and Context Conference. Since then, we have remained interested and sought to connect. We then attended the Cape Town bootcamp in Feb 2009.

The benefits are numerous -- a great bunch of people with a clear mission and God-exalting theology. Awesome resources.

Church Planter Profile

Greg & Wendy Heasley

How were you called to plant a church?

Wendy and I were born, raised and completed our education in Port Elizabeth.

Greg was an elder at Harvest Christian Church from 1996 – 2004, as a Youth and Zone Pastor. During this period Wendy founded and was Director of Alternatives Pregnancy Crisis Centre.

In November 2004 we felt a call to plant a church in New Zealand and were commissioned from Harvest to start in the city of Wellington. Within a few months of their arrival in NZ, Gracenet Community Church was established with the assistance of a team sent from South Africa. Planting a church in a foreign country presented some great opportunities and challenges, however God graciously gave us favour and many wonderful people from different cultures and nationalities were added to the church.

After 3 years of leading Gracenet, we decided to transition the leadership of the church over to the existing eldership team. Gracenet continues to serve the city of Wellington and is affiliated to the Reformed Baptist Churches of NZ.

Then in September 2007, we moved to Auckland for 6 months before returning to Port Elizabeth.

In April 2008 we landed back in PE reflecting on a decade of growth in ministry. It has been an amazing journey and our in the last couple of years our lives have been greatly impacted by a fresh vision of the Gospel with a renewed understanding of God's Grace and Sovereignty. This renewed vision of Gospel-centredness led us to pioneer another church plant in our home town.

What advice do you have for men who are wrestling with the decision to plant?

Dont do it alone; make sure you have support and a team.

Ensure your theological convictions are firm and clear.

Build relationship with other like-minded churches.

How do you personally disciple your family?

By reading Scripture together and discussing what God is doing inour hearts. Seeking to apply the Gospel to all aspects of our lives.

Wendy and I enjoy spending evenings together either watching a teaching DVD, listening to Podcasts or reading.

I make sure we eat together as a family - around the table where we share the days events, concerns, etc.

We also engage in some devotional family time before bed.

What are some examples of God's grace that you have seen in your life and/or the life of your church?

An amazing and supportive wife and family!!

The blessing of the new people God has brought into our lives through Covenant Grace.

The blessing of being linked with a like-minded network like A29.

A renewed and sustained passion in my own heart for Christ-exalting ministry.

How can we pray for you?

Wisdom as we seek to build faithfully and bring people through into various leadership roles - elders and deacons.