God's people in Northdale

Pastor Richard Pillay

10 AM Local time.

Yesterday, It was my very great privileged to meet a group of pastors of East Indian descent who are primarily from a area called Northdale. The "Pastors Fraternal" meets to discuss how to encourage one another in the ministry and be of mutual support. We arrived to the sound of English Worship songs, a first since being in SA. English is their first language which is spoken with and east Indian accent. This is marked difference to the Zulus who's first language is Zulu and their English is a bit harder to understand. 

Among them was Richard Pillay, a pastor who my friend Bud is discipling and training personally in the ministry. He is a person of vision, initiative, and sensitivity to God's leading. He has a strong desire for the church to grow in the grace and the knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. At the church facility you can see a Hindu temple and while we were there the Muslim call to prayer could be heard. To be sure there is a great diversity of religion and culture. The lesson for the day was apologetics, specifically with regard to Hinduism. It's amazing how many of the points of the lesson apply to people I know in the states who wouldn't consider themselves specifically Hindu but are influences by some of its teaching. 

Hindu Temple

Another pastor was also present named Moses, he has both black African and east Indian grandparents and "colored" facial features.  He speaks perfect English with little accent, was bright and sharp, he readily grasped the concepts being taught. Moses related to us how he had shared Christ with Hindus and over a period of time see them come to the truth of the gospel. If you look closely at the bottom left corner of the flag in front of the Hindu Temple there is a swastika, I'm not sure what that means but it can't be good. It's Friday morning here in SA, we leave to return tomorrow, the time has flown, sad to think of leaving...