CHARISMA MINISTRIES KNYSNA
Where You make the Difference
The Church Equipped and Mobilised to Change Our World
ABOUT
About us
Our Vision
THE CHURCH EQUIPPED AND MOBILISED TO CHANGE OUR WORLD
We believe that every member has a unique place and function in the body of Christ (1 Cor 12 & Rom 12), which is the church (Eph 1:22-23 & Col 1:18) and that every believer should be equipped for the work of the ministry (Eph 4:11-16).You make the difference! (1 Pet 4:10).We believe that it is not the task of certain individuals only to fulfil the Great Commission (Matt 28:19), but that all believers are partners and co-workers (1 Cor 3:9 & 2 Cor 6:1) in the Kingdom of God.
Our Mission
To bring the Word of renewal (Rom 12:1,2 & Eph 4:17-24) concerning new creation realities in Christ (2 Cor 5:17-21) uncompromised to all people in or outside of the church (across church boundaries).So that people can be saved, delivered, healed and equipped to live a victorious life in Christ and make a difference.
Our Strategy – details.
It is our vision to build mature and whole men and women who are equipped for life and ministry. We aim to empower them to fulfil their destiny and release them with direction and purpose. We accomplish the vision by…
Developing Godly Character:
By teaching people that life is about loving and serving people.
By learning to live with fellow brothers and sisters in the community.
By learning how to be accountable and responsible to the leaders.
By teaching people to have a positive attitude despite testing circumstances.
Growing in the knowledge of God:
By bringing people to a mature intimacy with God and his family.
By learning and developing practical faith.
By understanding the integrity of God’s Word and how important it is for one’s spiritual growth.
By applying oneself to theological equipping that will serve as a foundation for all ministries.
Equipping with practical life skills:
By learning what it takes to be a leader.
By practicing the servant heart of Christ by serving in all areas.
By being equipped in the areas of finance, administration, leadership and stewardship.
Learning to be the greatest of all through servanthood.
Learning to achieve the best results through team work.
Releasing into God’s vision and purpose:
Helping people uncover their true identity by being real with themselves.
Building people to discover their God given gifts and abilities.
Teaching people to exercise their gifting with the understanding that their significance lies in who they are and not how they perform.
Our Values
We believe that it is not what you know, but who you are that makes the difference.Godly character is established in one’s heart through love and discipline as moral values are imparted into one’s life.We place a strong emphasis on Godly values being imparted into the individual’s life. We achieve this through a process of close discipleship that takes place between the individual and leader.
These are some values we hold to:
Helping individuals develop their intimacy with God through a love for the Word and for worship.Discipleship that places an emphasis on love, openness and honesty.Being planted in the house (Local Church) and being accountable to spiritual fathers and mothers.Ultimately we believe our Kingdom mandate is to disciple the nations.
What We Believe Regarding the Word of God.
The scriptures of the Old and New Testaments were given by inspiration of the Holy Spirit and they constitute the Divine Rule of Christian faith and practice. 2 Peter 1:20-21; 2 Timothy 3:15-17
Regarding God.
There is only one God, who is infinitely perfect-the Creator, Preserver and Governor of all things-and who is the only proper object of worship. Deuteronomy 32:6; Colossians 1:15-17; Matthew 4:10
There are three distinct Persons in the Godhead:
the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit. All are undivided in essence and co-equal in power and glory. Matthew 28:19; 1 John 5:7-8
Regarding Jesus Christ.
As the second Person in the Godhead, Jesus Christ is God and was made manifest in the flesh through a virgin birth. Therefore, He is truly and properly God, and truly and properly Man. By His physical suffering and death, He made atonement for sin once and for all. By His resurrection, there is eternal life for all who believe. Hebrews 2:10, 7:27; 1 Corinthians 15:16-17
Regarding Heaven and Hell.
While heaven is the eternal, blissful home for the righteous, hell is the destination of everlasting punishment for the wicked. Revelation 7:15-17; 2 Thessalonians 1:8-10; Jude 7
Regarding Salvation through Jesus Christ.
Since the fall of our first “parents,” Adam and Eve, Man is entirely unable in his own strength or ability to find salvation and reconciliation with God. Man is wholly dependent on God’s grace and mercy. Romans 5:12-14; Ephesians 2:8 Salvation comes by God’s grace, not by works. It depends upon repentance, faith in God through accepting the lordship and saving act of Jesus Christ, the cleansing by the shed blood of Jesus and the regeneration by the Holy Spirit. Romans 3:22-26, 5:8; 8:9-11; Acts 4:12; Ephesians 2:8 Neither ritual, tradition, ceremony nor right can replace conversion, relationship with God, or true worship, and that nothing less than the Lordship of Christ upon a life is the mark of a Christian. Galatians 3:1-5; John 4:23-24; Colossians 2:8
Regarding the Holy Spirit.
As the third Person in the Godhead, the Holy Spirit is God and He seals our salvation in Christ, guaranteeing our divine inheritance. Ephesians 1:13-14, 4:30 It is the privilege of all believers, in response to the command of God’s Word, to receive the power of the Holy Spirit to live holy and victorious lives, and that the Holy Spirit operates through gifts, ministries and manifestations to glorify Jesus through His Body to the world. Acts 2:37-39; 1 Corinthians 12:1-11
Regarding Water Baptism.
Baptism, or full immersion in water, is an act of biblical obedience that is a symbolic sign of the believer’s death, burial and resurrection in Christ Jesus. Matthew 28:19; Acts 2:38; Romans 6:3-4
Regarding the Church.
At the time of His ascension into Heaven where He now sits at the right hand of the Father, Jesus Christ gifted the Church with living ministry expressions of Himself through apostles, prophets, evangelists, pastors and teachers, for the building up of the Body of Christ and the equipping of the believers to the work of service. Ephesians 4:11-13
It is the commission of the Church to go into the whole world to preach the gospel and extend the Kingdom of God, knowing that “this Gospel of the Kingdom shall be preached to the whole world for a witness to all nations, and then shall the end come.” Matthew 24:14; 28:18-20 Instituted by Jesus with His disciples, the Lord’s Supper is to be continued in the Church, and in doing so, the she “proclaims the Lord’s death until He comes,” serving as a memorial of Christ’s suffering and death, and as a prophecy of His coming. Through the celebration, we discern and acknowledge the Body of Christ in its totality, unity and authority. 1 Corinthians 10:15-17; 11:23-26
Regarding Jesus Coming Again.
The Bible speaks of a physical, triumphant return of Jesus Christ to an overcoming and glorious Church. 1 Thessalonians 4:14-18
Quick summary
WHO WE ARE AND WHAT WE BELIEVE
We are children of God saved by grace through the vicarious blood of Christ. We believe: The whole Bible is the inspired Word of God; in the Holy Trinity, Father, Son and Holy Ghost; true repentance; the rebirth; baptism by immersion after repentance; sanctification; the Holy communion; the baptism in the Holy Spirit with the evidence of speaking in tongues; all the gifts and works of the Holy Ghost; the second advent of Christ; an eternal heaven and hell; Divine healing. (This in short is our statement of faith).
Our Pastor
Snr. Pastor Melody van der Merwe has been in Knysna since December 1995, where she and her late husband Pastor Johan Swanepoel built Charisma ministries together. In 2004 Pastor Johan suddenly went on to be with the Lord, and Pastor Melody was ordained by God, and confirmed by many others, to continue in full time ministry in Charisma Knysna.
Then on the 25th of April 2009, Melody and Schalk van der Merwe committed their lives to one another in marriage. Teaching the Word of God with simplicity and understanding is Pastor Melody’s goal. She believes that the Bible is the written and inspired Word of God. Her purpose is to invoke change in the lives of all she comes into contact with. Her desire and vision is for all to hear the Word and gain understanding of God’s love and promises.
Melody is deeply passionate about God’s Word and takes it as the final authority. Each local church has so much potential when we do ‘church’ the right way.
Charisma has a very simple and uncomplicated vision:
“The church equipped and mobilized to change ‘our’ world.”
Pastor Melody is very sensitive to the moving of the Holy Spirit and leads, together with her husband and covering, with FAITH, INTEGRITY, and EXCELLENCE. If you can Imagine it then God can do it for You, Nothing is Impossible with God.
OUR WORSHIP
our worship
CONCERNING OUR WORSHIP
This page contains Biblical explanations on why we worship as we do.
WHY DO WE WORSHIP GOD?
Worship the Lord your God and serve Him only…Matt 4:10Come, let us bow down in worship; …. Ps 95:6.
HOW SHOULD WE WORSHIP GOD?
…and His worshipers must worship in spirit and in truth John 4:23 & 24. Worship the Lord in the splendour of His holiness;… Ps 96:9
WHY DO WE STAND TO SING?
Then some Levites… stood up and praised the Lord, the God of Israel , with a very loud voice… 2 Chron 20:19 … I looked and there before me was a great multitude that no one could count, from every nation, tribe, people and language, standing before the throne and in front of the Lamb… Rev 7:9-10
WHY DO WE RAISE OUR VOICES?
Through Jesus therefore, let us continually offer to God a sacrifice of praise — the fruit of lips that confess His Name… Heb 13:15 After this I heard what sounded like the roar of a great multitude in heaven shouting: Hallelujah! Salvation and glory and power belong to our God… Then I heard what sounded like a great multitude, like the roar of rushing waters and like loud peals of thunder, shouting: Hallelujah! For our Lord God Almighty reigns…. Rev 19:1&6. Come, let us sing for joy to the Lord; let us shout aloud to the Rock of our salvation. … Ps 95:1 Shout for joy to the Lord, all the earth. Worship the Lord with gladness; come before Him with joyful songs … Ps 100:1-2.
WHY DO WE CLAP OUR HANDS?
Clap your hands, all you nations; shout to God with cries of joy … Ps 47:1.
WHY DO WE LIFT OUR HANDS?
Lift up your hands in the sanctuary and praise the Lord … Ps 134:2 I will praise You as long as I live, and in Your Name I will lift up my hands … Ps 63:4. Hear my cry for mercy as I call to You for help, as I lift up my hands toward Your Most Holy Place …Ps 28:2. I want men everywhere to lift up holy hands in prayer, without anger or disputing… 1 Tim 2:8
WHY DO WE DANCE IN CHURCH?
Let them praise His Name with dancing, …. Ps 149:3. Praise Him with tambourine and dancing, … Ps 150:4. Then Miriam the prophetess, Aaron’s sister, took a tambourine in her hand, and all the woman followed her with tambourines and dancing … Ex 15:20. David, wearing a linen ephod, danced before the Lord with all his might, … 2 Sam 6:14.
WHY DO WE SING CHORUSES?
And do not get drunk with wine; for that leads to ruin, but be filled with the Spirit, speaking to one another in psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, singing and making melody with your heart to the Lord… Eph 5:18 & 19. Songwriters are inspired by the Spirit of God to write spiritual songs based on a portion of scripture, commonly known as choruses.
WHY DO WE SPEAK AND SING IN TONGUES?
For if I pray in a tongue, my spirit prays, but my mind is unfruitful. So what shall I do? I will pray with my spirit, but I will also pray with my mind; I will sing with my spirit, but I will also sing with my mind. …1 Cor 14:14 & 15.
WHY DO WE HAVE SPEAKING IN TONGUES WITH INTERPRETATION?
I would like every one of you to speak in tongues…1 Cor 14:5. If anyone speaks in a tongue, two — or at the most three — should speak, one at a time, and someone must interpret. 1 Cor 14:27 Therefore, my brothers, be eager to prophecy, and do not forbid speaking in tongues. 1 Cor 14:39
WHAT IS PROPHECY AND WHY DO WE PROPHESY?
Follow the way of love and eagerly desire spiritual gifts, especially the gift of prophecy. 1 Cor 14 :1 Bur everyone who prophesies speaks to men for their strengthening, encouragement and comfort. 1Cor 14:3
WHY DO WE ANOINT WITH OIL?
Is any one of you sick? he should call the elders of the church to pray over him and anoint him with oil in the Name of the Lord. James 5:14
WHY ARE MUSICAL INSTRUMENTS A PART OF THE WORSHIP SERVICE?
Praise Him with trumpet sound; Praise Him with harp and lyre. Praise Him with timbrel and dancing; Praise Him with stringed instrument and pipe. Praise Him with loud cymbals; praise Him with resounding cymbals. … Ps 150:3-5
WHY DOES THE WHOLE CHURCH PRAY AT ONCE FOR SPECIFIC NEEDS?
When they heard this, they raised their voices together in prayer to God … Acts 4:24. Praise be to the Lord, the God of Israel, from everlasting to everlasting. Then all the people said: “Amen” and “Praise the Lord.”.1 Chron 16:36.
WHY DO WE RECEIVE TITHES AND OFFERINGS?
Will a man rob God? Yet you are robbing me! But you say, “How have we robbed Thee?” In tithes and offerings. “You are cursed with a curse, for you are robbing Me, the whole nation of you! Bring the whole tithe into the storehouse, so that there may be food in My house, and test Me now in this,” says the Lord of hosts, “if I will not open for you the windows of heaven and pour out for you a blessing until it overflows.”…. Mal 3:8-10. Give, and it will be given to you. A good measure, pressed down, shaken together and running over, will be poured into your lap. For with the measure you use, it will be measured to you. … Luke 6:38. Remember this: Whoever sows sparingly will also reap sparingly, and whoever sows generously will also reap generously. Each man should give what he has decided in his heart to give, not reluctantly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. … 2 Cor 9:6-7.
WHY DO WE PRAY WITH THE LAYING ON OF HANDS?
… and they will lay hands on the sick, and they will recover. Mark 16:18.
WHY IS FAITH SO IMPORTANT?
And without faith it is impossible to please God, because anyone who comes to Him must believe that He exists and that He rewards those who earnestly seek Him. Heb 11:6…. The righteous will live by faith. Rom 1:17.
LIFE GROUPS
Life Groups (Cells)
Do you want to ‘plug in’ to the Charisma a bit more? Have you been wondering where you can go and meet new people in a smaller setting and discover a deeper sense of connection to the church? Then consider joining a LIFE Group!
WHAT ARE…LIFE GROUPS?
LIFE Groups provide an opportunity for people to make friends, grow in their faith and do life together in a smaller setting than our main services. They are informal, friendly and supportive, providing an ideal setting in which to meet new people. LIFE Groups are designed to be life-enriching times of social interaction. They usually include refreshments, some discussion about how we are applying and growing in God’s current word to us as a church and prayer for issues that spontaneously emerge from the chatting together.
In addition, LIFE Groups occasionally break bread together and work together to help others in the community. LIFE Groups have a relaxed feel and are hosted by church members, in their homes, on a weekly basis. Actual meeting times vary.. LIFE Group Hosts are people who thoroughly understand the culture of CHARISMA and are able to perpetuate our values in the small group setting. The size of the Host’s home will dictate the size of the group.
HOW TO REGISTER
Access to a LIFE Group is through the info desk situated in the foyer each Sunday, where one of the LIFE Group team will be available to answer your questions. Alternatively, you may register your interest to attend a group sending us an e-mail at info@knysnacharisma.co.za . You will then be contacted by one of our team.
NOW WHAT
Give it a go! We realise that LIFE Groups will not be everyone’s ‘cup of tea’! But for many they will be a valuable connection point with the church family. They are a ‘plug-in point’, a place to meet new people, make friends and grow in your faith. You can come and go, and even try a number of groups until you find your ‘fit’.
LIFE Groups are about doing LIFE, sharing LIFE and enjoying LIFE.
So, if you think they may be for you, Go for it!
DONATE
Our Church is a non-profit organisation and runs on donations only.
Consider sowing into this ministry.
DETAILS:
Charisma
ABSA Bank, Knysna
Acc #: 1000-534-931
