Thank you for considering to help us finish the final stage of the Harvester Cape Town church building to the point of occupation.
We have been busy with the building project since 2017, after owning the land for quite some time.
Purpose
The building is located in Burgundy Estate near Cape Town, where we have a vibrant community of young families. A multi-function church building will help us serve the community and fulfill many of their needs. It will also become a beacon of light for those in need of Jesus.
The Church Building was designed to have multiple functions:
- Place of Worship for the church community
- Conference facility
- Community library
- Broadcast and studio production facility
- Music and Arts tutor centre
- Tutor Centre for educational purposes
- Community Café
- Youth development centre
- Miracle Bible Training Centre facility
- Assembly hall for local schools
Challenges encountered
2017-2023
Building is never easy. In the beginning we tried to secure loans to get the building project done quickly, but we soon learned that banks were not willing to help. We then set out to build with cash, knowing that the project would take longer. Some of our partners offered to loan funds for the building, but because of the prolonged timelines, we had to repay them before the building was ready for occupation.
We have encountered the following stumbling blocks and have turned them into milestones
- 1 Year delay from local Home Owners Association for approved plans
- Another year delay from municipality for approval of plans
- 2 years delay of water connection
- Rates and Taxes of several years prior to occupation.
- Eskom electricy provider delays and expensive electrical costs.
- Crime: Theft of aluminium windows broken out of walls by robbers from informal settlement near church.
- Incomplete fence installation resulting in theft.
- First builder using inferior foundational cement and improper building standards.
- We rebuilt the north wall completely.
- Leaking roof and gutters that stood while we waited for cancellation of contract with first builder.
- Extended law suit that prolonged building contract cancellation.
- Legal costs.
- No loans from banks.
- Personal loans that require repayment before the building even commenced.
- Cement flooring had to be dug up and re-laid for 325 square metres (3500 square feet).
- Large garden areas overgrown.
- Electrical conduits blocked by previous builder’s debris.
- Removal of debris dumped on site before installation of the fence.
Milestones achieved
2024-2025
Through the Lord’s grace we continued to build in the face of obstacles, with the clear goal of obtaining the occupancy certificate from the building inpsector.
How the Lord has helped us overcome the stumbling blocks and turn them into milestones
- We have raised funds to continue and rebuild the ruin areas.
- We first built a new wall (fence with security) then the temple (Church auditorium)
- We forgave the robbers of our windows and replaced them with brand new aluminium framed windows through the facility, obtaining a reduced price from the suppliers.
- Our leaders met with local politicians to grant us water connection for the property after two years of waiting.
- The Lord helped us clear our arrears accounts for rates and taxes.
- We were advised by our lawyers to move forward with building and not pursue the legal high court case against the previous builders whom we forgave in the Christ-like attitude.
- Many people have sold possessions, lands, cars and houses to get us this far.
- We have built with no loans on the property itself.
- We have completed the building of the main auditorium and cottage, with bathrooms, kitchen, coffee bar and library areas.
- Electricity has been installed.
- Plumbing has been installed.
- Bathrooms are tiled with basins inserted.
- We have bookshelves for our library, and people have donated their entire Christian libraries to the church library vision.
- We have home schooling and education reference books for children for the community.
- We have kitchen shelving and a gas oven for the kitchen.
- We built the stage in the auditorium
- The Studio for broadcasting has been built on the second level above the Mother’s room with special glass windows.
- We have bought the ceiling boards for the auditorium as well as special LED lights and brackets to hang a pitched roof ceiling.
- We are busy with the final colour cement aggregate finishing of the entire flooring.
Final push for occupation certificate
2025
We are so close. Having done all we can to get so far, we now appeal for help from our brothers and sisters abroad.
What is required for us to occupy our church as a community?
- Finish the flooring
- Install the ceiling with insulation
- Install the lighting
- Install the sound and lighting systems
- Complete the finishes in the bathrooms
- Tile the Community Café area and kitchen.
- Install the kitchen cupboards
- Install a storm water drainage system away from building.
- Lay the safety pipes for fire hydrants.
- Set up Safety notices and emergency exits.
- Pay the Fire Chief to inspect.
- Inform the Building Inspector to confirm the building is ready for occupation and obtain his confirmation for occupation.
Future plans
2026
After obtaining the occupancy certificate, there will be further upgrades on the road map.
What we can do after occupation
- Complete the foyer walls with pitched roof trusses and main aluminium doors.
- Tile the foyer and decorate with mosaic design on the wall with a harvest theme.
- Buy 200 more chairs – we have 30 already.
- Build the car park for 70 cars.
- Install a garden with irrigation and sustainable watering system.
- Consider solar electrical options.
- Complete the library section and prepare it for community use.
- Upgrade our broadcast studio equipment
- Complete the Café section and equipment for catering.
- Celebrate for 7 days with all our partners who helped us finish!
July 4th celebrations
Thank you for your continued support. Harvester International Ministries was founded on July 4, 1991 and is still going strong. We have reached 124 Nations with the Gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ, planting churches in many. Our media production house has published many resources for the Kingdom of God, including books, music, films and Bible School materials.
With your support, you are becoming a global partner in the Great Commission of our Lord.