It’s a great honour and pleasure for me to introduce our community here in Port Elizabeth, known as ‘the friendly city’, to the friends of East Mountain. We have been in the process of formation for only about a year, but already we have experienced the hand of God moving in a most wonderful way.
Of course, it did not start with us, but East Mountain Stellenbosch (ie. Cape Town) had been sending up small teams to work here in St. Saviours parish over a period of around 5 years teaching basic Bible courses and also helping with youth leadership training. This was at the invitation of myself and a couple of other local pastors. We had a faithful group of around a dozen or so people who had been attending the Bible courses who approached me to start a more serious formal course of study. I had been in association with Fr Gabriel Smith for some time and knew the vision for East Mountain, and I did share personally in his vision of discipleship based Christian teaching and training. To cut a long story short, I realised that the Lord wanted me to be part of this mission and agreed to lead a new learning community in Port Elizabeth.
Our core group of enthusiastic learners has now blossomed into around 30 who attend the Foundations of the Faith course we are presently running. We have partnered with Ridley Institute (USA) who have kindly allowed us to offer their excellent courses. This group comprises people from all walks of life, and they range from the youngest who is 18 years old to those in their 60’s.
We have a small board to oversee the work which has two main thrusts – the first being the Ridley Courses and the second being the training and discipleship of young leaders.
We covet your prayers and support as we take next steps in growing this community.
blessings, Dave
Written by the Rev. Dave Doveton, retired Rector of two parishes in the Anglican Diocese of Port Elizabeth, South Africa. Apart from being in pastoral ministry, Dave taught at the theological Seminaries of St Bedes and the College of the Transfiguration and spent some years as a missionary
priest in the Anglican Church of the Indian Ocean.