The story of the Fatherheart community is far from over. Like the seasons we all must journey through, I found unwavering support, patience, encouragement, and strength from this community countless times. The wisdom of the Word and the love of Evena and Petrus guided me through moments when I was lost and uncertain. Their deep connection with the Father brought answers to questions I hadn’t even asked, and as I reflect, I’m in awe of the miracles along the way.

Who I am and where I stand today is deeply rooted in my relationship with Fatherheart. We all wrestle with life’s challenges—be they physical, spiritual, emotional, or mental—but today, my heart is full. The foundation of my life was built within Fatherheart, and for that, I am profoundly grateful.”

How did I fall in love with God’s Word?

Years ago, Pastor Petrus was preaching and then prayed over the congregation that everyone will fall in love and be hungry for God’s Word.  He prayed that we would crave the Word, as he craved Coca Cola in those days.  With that blessing over me, I madly fell in love with the Word.  I read and studied it, and ate up every word I could.  I let it soak into my very being.  Without that prayer that craving would never have developed, and I would not have been able to walk the road I did.  It is only by knowing and believing in what the Word says that one can receive liberty, strength, and freedom.  I pray that as you read this, you will be overcome by a craving for His Word. 

Jeremiah 15:16 ESV “Your words were found and I ate them, And Your words became a joy to me and the delight of my heart; For I have been called by Your name, O Lord God of hosts.”

A few weeks ago, I had the most intense pain in my left shoulder.  I could not move it for a few days and no tablets brought any relief.  It was stiff in the socket.  I went to a Chiropractor and he could not move my shoulders or neck at all, as it was totally in a spasm.  After a Sunday morning service, I knew the only One that could heal me is the Lord.  I asked the Fatherheart family who was there to please pray for me.  There was instant relief.  Peter, one of the believers who prayed for me, said we are waiting for a testimony on this matter.  Since then, there has been a great improvement.  We serve a God of miracles.  We only need to believe!

James 5:14-15 AMP “Is anyone among you sick?  He must call for the elders (spiritual leaders) of the church and they are to pray over him, anointing him with oil in the name of the Lord; and the prayer of faith will restore the one who is sick, and the Lord will raise him up; and if he has committed sins, he will be forgiven.”

He sees the hidden desires of our heart.  He does not just supply our every need; He enjoys spoiling us with our wants too.  Years ago, one Saturday, I was talking to the Lord and said that I would love to have a Lavender scented hand cream in one of those push down dispenser bottles.  The next morning when I went to church, my Prayer partner at that time had left a parcel for me on one of the tables with exactly what I prayed for.  She was led to supply my want, even though I never asked for it. 

Psalm 38:9 AMP “Lord, all my desire is before You; And my sighing is not hidden from You.”

I was raised in a home were going to church was important, so for 19 years I went to church with my parents and brothers. The church spoke about the Father, Jesus, and Holy Spirit with the emphasis on the Father. I always felt that the Father was at a distance. In 2011 at the age of almost 21 I went through a failed relationship and family members invited me to the youth night at Fatherheart. There I learnt about the Holy Spirit and sometimes when we went to the mall we would pray and ask Holy Spirit to show us people to share Jesus’s love with (evangelise). I then decided to attend their Sunday service. I remember Pastor Petrus and aunty Evena’s daughter, Marike who was then 14 years old, greeted me with a huge smile and a hug asking whether I had the Holy spirit living inside of me, perplexed I replied “I hope so”. I remember how I felt the Father’s love and comfort every Sunday with the sermons Pastor Petrus preached. I never really got to know the du Toit family as I always made a quick escape after the services.

After a while I got to know Pastor Petrus and aunty Evena. They were always loving and caring. As time went by and by the grace of the Father I grew spiritually through listening to the uncompromised Word of God that Pastor Petrus preached. I never felt that I did not belong and at Fatherheart I learnt, not just about the Father’s heart, but also how much Father loved us to have given us His only Son, Jesus, and how we cannot live without the Holy Spirit to guide us through life. I also learnt how we all need each other and how everyone has a role to play by being the Body of Christ. 

For a season, before I got married, I attended their prayer meetings on Wednesday evenings. There we prayed together for relevant matters ranging from family to worldly matters and we also worshipped a song or two. Pastor Petrus always prayed for his son Samuel, that firstly he would love to read his Bible and secondly that Samuel would love to exercise. He would also always pray for his future wife. Today those prayers are a living example of Samuel’s life.

Samuel loves reading his Bible & prioritises it above all else. Pastor Petrus and Samuel both love to read the Bible a few hours a day between commitments and we are truly blessed to be able to hear their love for the Word through sharing verses and cross referencing between them. You enjoy the fresh warm breaking of the Bread (God’s Word) and together we feast on it.

Marike has a heart for worship and adores children hence the fun, singing and dancing in the

Children Services while she lovingly imparts with Holy Spirit. Aunty Evena, the late wife of Pastor Petrus, had a heart for the needy, she also drenched her days with prayer and counselled throughout the day.

All in all I have learnt, and I’m still learning so much, and it’s all thanks to the du Toit family’s love serving the Lord without compromising the Word of God. They are not just hearers of the Word but doers of it and they are the hands and feet of the Lord. From sharing the Good News, to helping people in need, to hospital visits and home visits. They also love praying with anyone and standing on the Word of God.

At Fatherheart anyone is welcome and like my late father mentioned when he attended services, that he felt valued and part of a family because of the love and caring atmosphere.

Fatherheart is not just a church, Fatherheart is a house of the Lord where one receives teaching, guidance, love and support all in the Name of Jesus Christ.