The History of Prayer at Wycliffe South Africa
Alan Webster in prayer with another delegate at the Global Gathering 2024
“Pray with us that the Lord’s message may continue to spread rapidly and be received with honour….”
- 2 Thessalonians 3:1
As an organisation, we have always believed in the transformative power of prayer. When we unite in prayer, extraordinary things begin to unfold. Challenges are met with divine strength, and battles are fought on a higher plane. That’s why, when a prayer partner intercedes for the well-being, protection, and effectiveness of the translators and the work of Bible translation, powerful change is set in motion.
1973 to 1981
Tony and Mary Williams, who first established a Wycliffe presence in South Africa, took up residence in Kempton Park where they had a combined home and office. They began sharing the work of Wycliffe and the challenge of Bible translation with churches and established some prayer groups.
|
Special Mention: Joy Ellis (Boyle) Joy was one of the people who attended a prayer group started by Tony and Mary Williams in Florida, on the West Rand of Johannesburg. She became a faithful supporter and intercessor, and at the age of 80 in 2022 had celebrated 48 years of partnership with Wycliffe. |
1983 to 1986
The prayer groups were added to by David Abernathy, who took over leadership from 1983 to 1986 when Tony and Mary returned to their home in Australia. By 1986, there were various prayer groups up and running:
The Florida Group (West Rand) – led by Nan Glasson.
The Alberton Group (Johannesburg South) – led by Anthea Grobler, sister of translator Nick Swanepoel
The Fish Hoek Group (Cape Town) – led by Gerald and his wife, Ruby Martin.
1986 to 1988
When the Brasems took over the leadership of Wycliffe South Africa, a concerted effort was made to continue this trend of running prayer meetings but also starting new ones. Harry prayed for 10 prayer groups and his expectations were more than exceeded.
By 1988 there were 11 groups meeting, including:
Windhoek, Namibia – led by Andre van Coller.
Dundee, KZN – hosted by Dolly Roopnarain and led by Cecile van der Walt
Kempton Park, Johannesburg – led by Ampie van Wyk
Lynnwood, Pretoria – led by Johan van Greunen
Pretoria Boys High – led by Craig Bloemsma
Potchefstroom – led by Santie Alberts
RAU Hostel, Auckland Park – led by Zetta Le Roux
Rosebank, Cape Town – led by Liz Beute
Berglvliet Group (Cape Town area) – led by Viv and Sonia Hobbs
Kempton Park, Johannesburg – led by Harry and Elsbeth Brasem
There were also a few informal prayer meetings amongst students from Stellenbosch University, and prayer cell groups meeting in Cape Town and Somerset West. In Edenvale, Madge Brown ran a prayer meeting from her retirement flat.
1989 to 2010
|
Special Mention: Winsome Schroder |
From 1995 to 2005 the monthly Prayer and Praise Bulletin was sent out by Kathy Marais, and during this time the various Wycliffe prayer groups continued to pray faithfully for our members and the people groups they were working with.
2010 to 2025
In May 2016 Intercessors for Africa was launched in which people were invited to pray and intercede for specific Bible translation projects in southern Africa. This is ongoing and people are being recruited as prayer warriors whenever the opportunity presents itself. Ansie van der Merwe and Lenthia Erasmus head this special prayer initiative, and also work with other mission organisations in developing prayer mobilisation.
Harry’s dream was to have a member on staff as a full-time intercessor praying for Wycliffe. With the appointment of Lenthia Erasmus in March 2025 this dream has become a reality.
