340 ladies from Four12 partnering churches across Northern South Africa experienced the power of partnership when ladies gave of their time, treasures and talents to come and equip them to run into greater freedom and life at the Ladies Gathering Northern RSA in October.
The Wednesday
Melanie du Toit (Joshua Generation Church) stirred and encouraged on the Wednesday night of equipping leading up to the Ladies Gathering when she demonstrated how ‘all can prophesy’, using the Word and Spirit to activate everyone to hear God’s voice for themselves, and to act on it.
The Saturday
Two ladies provided feedback on what was shared at the Ladies Gathering:
“Lelani Kingsley (City on a Hill Church) delivered a powerful message about not focussing on how we move but on what moves us. With their eyes fully fixed on Jesus, many women experienced incredible breakthrough as they danced and sang before the Lord, free from inhibition.”
– Andrea Fraser-Aldridge (Crowded House Church)
“Lelani Kingsley spoke about the way we praise the Lord, and how all our traditions, fears etc. are like mud on our bodies, and the more mud there is and the longer it has been there, the tougher it becomes to remove. The only way to get rid of it? Shake it off! Get moving!
Eleanor Scott (Crowded House Church) spoke on ‘Lordship’, asking, “Who is at the helm of your life?” Is it you or have you given everything to the Lord? We are spirit and body – how are we stewarding the body the Lord has given us? Is He Lord of everything we do, think, eat, watch, listen to, etc.?” It was such a blessing to have an older “mother” ministering to us, teaching us, and even being gently reprimanded in a sense.
Melanie du Toit gave us some quiet time to reflect on Scripture, and there was something special about doing it corporately – seeing the Lord touch hearts, mend, comfort, break open. Melanie likened “waiting on the Lord” to a creeping plant, growing slowly. Don’t be hasty. Incredible picture.”
– Maritza Coetzee (City on a Hill, Centurion)
The Sunday Morning
Kevin Aldridge’s message on ‘The Power of Prophecy’ was confirmed when God spoke powerfully and clearly afterwards through Melanie and Julie de Lisle (Joshua Generation Church) as they prophesied over Crowded House Church, leaving the church in greater awe of God, with an urgency to obey and trust Him for what He had spoken over them.
Testimonies
Here are some short testimonies from ladies who attended the Ladies Gathering on Saturday:
“What a wonderful privilege to attend this Ladies Gathering. During worship, my body moved in a way that I did not know it could still do. I am 67 years old. All honour to God.”
– Norma Hart (City on a Hill Church, Montana)
“I was set free from anxiety, depression and self-doubt.”
– Karlien (City on a Hill Church, Montana)
“The Lord set me free from feeling so self-conscious.”
– Hannah, age 16 (City on a Hill Church, Montana)
“This Ladies Gathering was a confirmation of what the Lord had pressed on my heart regarding worship. I now feel so free and ‘clamorously foolish’ during worship. Free from my fear of man, a critical spirit, and what culture dictates. Oh, how God refreshed my soul! He is faithful.”
– Marisa van Kerkhof (City on a Hill Church, Centurion)
“In May this year, as we were prayed over, I saw myself holding onto a chain around my foot (which had hurt for 4 years but doctors couldn’t find anything wrong with it). We prayed for the chain to break and for me to let go of past hurts, but I still held onto something. This weekend, the Lord used Lelani to practically demonstrate how to praise the Lord through a physical act of worship. I knew that as I responded to the Lord in obedience through praise I would get healed. This morning, dancing before the Lord, I felt a snap in the part of my foot that had hurt for so long, and there was relief. As self-consciousness, pride and fear of man falls away, there is freedom and healing in the Lord. Dance before Him! It submits your mind and body to the Spirit and glorifies Him.
“…and leads me along His footsteps of righteousness so that I can bring honour to His name.” (Psalm 23:3, TPT)”
– Louise Britton (City on a Hill Church, Centurion)
“I was very encouraged and experienced so much breakthrough and confirmation of new seasons in my life. I walked away different. I’m so grateful I was there.”
– Kirsty Thomas (Pulse Church)
“God gave me a revelation of His love and reminded me that when I live my life continually submitted to Him, I can rely on Him as the Shepherd to guide me and satisfy my soul in every season, and to give me all the joy, strength and peace that I need.”
– Kabuba (City on a Hill Church, Montana)
“What an incredible weekend! The Lord revealed His love for me in such a special way and I am forever changed.”
– El-joy Elyon (Joshua Generation Church, Bloemfontein)
“God reminded me that I was His – I felt fully known by Him. Worshipping Him with utter reverence was also very freeing, and the presence of the Holy Spirit brought me such joy.”
– Claudia Stassen (Pulse Church)
“The beauty for me was that we were not simply told, ‘This is what Jesus says or wants to do’, but we were activated to see His heart and hear His voice for ourselves. And that changes everything – in our hearts and in how we respond to Him!”
– Iselle (Joshua Generation Church, Bloemfontein)
“Saturday opened my eyes to how powerful women are, especially together. We all prayed and danced and waved flags for our precious Jesus. It made me smile to know that one day, when our King returns, we will be jumping for joy and acting madly.”
– Sasha-Leigh (Pulse Church)
“With this being my first Four12 gathering, I didn’t expect it to be so deeply moving – WOW! For a while now, the Lord has been dealing with a deep-seated pride in me – calling me to trust and humble myself before Him – and on Saturday He shifted something in me. Every message was full of truth and love, challenging each of us to grow and move in Him. I knew I was safe, surrounded by prayer, love and an overwhelming cover of grace. The entire format gave us all the space to see God’s character. I realised after Saturday that I am a new creation in Christ. We serve a faithful and righteous King – He never leaves or forsakes us.
“And now, O Lord, for what do I wait? My hope is in you.” (Psalm 39:7, ESV)”
– Tanith (Crowded House Church)
“I learned that changing emphasis on words makes the Word chewable. Also to worship without boundaries.”
– Karina (City on a Hill Church, Montana)
“Thank you to the team for a really special and memorable event, where Jesus was glorified and lives were touched, healed and changed! It is a privilege to be a part of all God is doing in Crowded House and Four12.”
– Debbie Mills (Crowded House Church)
